Students at Dobie Middle School pass through the hallway in between classes on Monday, April 14, 2025. The school has received three consecutive F ratings, according to state academic standards, and is likely to receive a fourth this year. A fifth would allow the state to take over the district, so to prevent that from occurring, the district will likely close the school this year.
Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that the State Board of Education has unanimously approved the fourth and final round of community schools implementation grants, awarding more than $618 million to 121 local educational agencies (LEAs) across California. This latest round will support 458 additional school sites, bringing the total number of community schools funded statewide to nearly 2,500.
The funding is part of the $4.1 billion California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP), the most significant investment in the nation. Established in 2021 and expanded in 2022, the initiative aims to break down systemic barriers to learning by integrating academics with health, mental health, and social services, fostering strong family and community engagement. The goal is to educate the whole child by surrounding students with resources that support their well-being and academic success.
“California continues to find and support innovative ways to make schools a place where every family and student can succeed,” Governor Newsom said. “Today, we build on our nation-leading community schools program – more than 450 additional schools, offering everything from free meals twice a day to mental health counseling to before, after, and summer school programs to thousands more students.”
Some of California’s highest-need communities will be receiving funds through the CCSPP. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond emphasized that these grants are key to closing equity gaps. “These grants support our schools to address foundational needs for learning, making sure that our students are healthy and able to learn,” Thurmond said. “Our Community Schools continue to serve as exemplars of programs that activate resources across the whole school community to educate the whole child.”
Linda Darling-Hammond, President of the State Board of Education, underscored the broader impact. “Well-resourced community schools have proven to increase attendance, achievement and attainment for students, transforming their lives and improving the well-being of families,” she said.
The program has already shown results. At Elk Hills Elementary School in Kern County, chronic absenteeism has decreased and test scores have improved, thanks to services like early childhood education, expanded learning, and mental health support. In Folsom Cordova Unified, middle school reading outcomes improved across five student groups, while staff retention increased. San Francisco’s Buena Vista Horace Mann School used its grant to provide on-site therapy and support for homeless families, dramatically dropping absenteeism.
With today’s approval, California solidifies its role as a national leader in transforming public education through community schools.
