Initiative Description: Full-service community schools are designed to increase students, and families’ access to comprehensive and coordinated supports, services, and programs such as medical care, food aid, and enrichment activities. Redwood City’s community-school programs focused on three interrelated strategy areas: family engagement, extended learning, and social support services.
Authors focused on the extent to which students’ short- or long-term engagement in single or multiple strategy areas influenced their attendance and achievement.

Study Results: The average attendance rate was approximately 96%, and the unconditional growth models exhibited an average annual change of less than 1%.

Reference: Biag, M., & Castrechini, S. (2016). Coordinated Strategies to Help the Whole Child: Examining the Contributions of Full-Service Community Schools. Journal Of Education For Students Placed At Risk, 21(3), 157-173. doi:10.1080/10824669.2016.1172231

Level of Evidence: Good