7 in 10 children in high-need schools are not ready for kindergarten.
When schools have the resources they need and can offer them in a coordinated manner, kids’ academics and social-emotional wellbeing will thrive. United Way Community Schools support student success in the region’s highest need schools by removing barriers to education, so students, families and communities can thrive. Each school is staffed by a full-time Community School Coordinator who addresses basic needs, promotes family engagement, builds partnerships and coordinates services.
As a hub of its neighborhood, Community Schools focus on students’ basic needs and build trusting relationships with children and their families by offering a range of services that include:
- basic needs support such as food, clothing, toiletries and school supplies
- connections to critical resources such as healthcare and housing
- on-site physical, mental and behavioral health services
- academic engagement experiences such as field trips and after-school programming
- parent engagement workshops and activities
A Model that Works
United Way Community Schools continue to receive national recognition from sources such as the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, the Coalition for Community Schools and the U.S. Department of Education. In 2022, U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited the region to learn how to scale our local initiative in other communities across the country.
Over the past year, Community Schools reported:
- Improved academic growth
- More students’ and families’ basic needs met
- Increased student and family engagement
- Improved attendance and behavior
- Improved school culture
UNited way Community Schools
Allentown School District
Brigadier General Anna Mae
Hays Elementary School
Central Elementary School
Francis D. Raub Middle School
Harrison Morton Middle School
Hiram W. Dodd Elementary School
Jackson Early Learning Center
Jefferson Elementary School
Mosser Elementary School
Ramos Elementary School
Roosevelt Elementary School
Sheridan Elementary School
South Mountain Middle School
Trexler Middle School
Union Terrace Elementary School
Washington Elementary School
Bangor Area School District
Bangor Area High School
Bangor Area Middle School
DeFranco Elementary School
Five Points Elementary School
Washington Elementary School
Bethlehem Area School District
Broughal Middle School
Donegan Elementary School
Fountain Hill Elementary School
Freemansburg Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
Marvine Elementary School
Northeast Middle School
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
William Penn Elementary School
Easton Area School District
Cheston Elementary School
Easton Area Middle School
Paxinosa Elementary School
Panther Valley School District
Panther Valley Elementary School
“This is a model that works. They’ve invested time and energy into creating a structure where community partners are welcomed into schools.”
Dr. Miguel Cardona
U.S. Secretary of Education
of Community Schools met or exceeded PA growth standards in math
students and families
improved food security
improved family stability with increased access to basic needs
Leader in Me empowers students, staff and families with the mindset and skills to be life-ready leaders.
Everyday attendance has been shown to set the pattern for how kids will continue to value attending school each year.
Lehigh Valley Reads works to ensure all Lehigh Valley students are reading on grade level by the end of third grade.
In the News
“We get better together.” First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union commits to United Way Community School in Allentown with $100,000 donation
This new partnership with Francis D. Raub Middle School will provide financial literacy education to students and their families, assist in funding the school store and support school-wide incentives for attendance and behavior.
Moses Taylor Foundation Grant awards $70,000 to support students and families in the Panther Valley School District
Thanks to the continued funding to support the essential Family Development Specialist role, children and families in the Panther Valley School District will be connected with critical resources to reduce instances of child abuse and neglect.