UWABC isn’t simply participating in the Community Schools movement—we have more than a decade of experience building, coordinating, learning from, and improving this model in our community. With nine Community Schools spanning Buncombe County, the strategy connects students and families with the people, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. But just as importantly, it brings the people with the power to create change into the same room—and gets them working toward the same goals.That happens every year before schools reopen their doors.
Our annual Community Schools planning retreat brings together our Community Schools and Volunteer teams, data experts, principals, administrators, and school social workers to prepare for the year ahead. Together, they examine what each school needs, share what is working, identify opportunities for growth, and determine how the broader Community Schools network can be leveraged to create greater impact for students, families, and educators.
This kind of collaboration is at the heart of the Community Schools strategy, which is built around four pillars:
- Integrated Student Supports — Healthcare, counseling, and resources that remove barriers to learning
- Expanded Learning Time and Opportunities — After-school, weekend, and summer programs that inspire curiosity and growth
- Active Family and Community Engagement — Parents and caregivers as active partners in student success
- Collaborative Leadership and Practice — Schools and community partners working together toward shared goals and outcomes
We have been bringing people together around these pillars for more than a decade. Year after year, these planning sessions give school leaders the opportunity to learn from one another, build stronger partnerships, and use UWABC’s research, data, and experience to strengthen their work.
This year, that expertise reached beyond our own network. A representative from the North Carolina Community Schools Coalition joined our planning retreat to learn from our approach, systems, and experience as the coalition explores expanding Community Schools into Western North Carolina.
That is a meaningful reflection of the work our community has built together. After more than a decade of investing in the Community Schools strategy, UWABC has developed not only a network of schools, but a deep understanding of what it takes to bring schools, families, community organizations, and local leaders together around shared outcomes.
And the network continues to grow. This year, we welcomed Ira B. Jones Elementary School as our second elementary school and another important partner in this countywide effort.
As the needs of our community evolve, so does the Community Schools strategy. What remains constant is our role as a connector: bringing the right people to the table, sharing what we have learned, and creating the conditions for our schools and our entire community to move forward together.
Stay Involved with our Community Schools:
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Volunteer your time at your local Community School
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Learn more about Community Schools here
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Support the work happening in Community Schools throughout Asheville and Buncombe County