Orange County is set to receive $35.5 million in new Community Schools funding following a press conference held Tuesday, August 4, at Anaheim High School. Leaders from the Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO), local school districts, the CA Partnership for the Future of Learning (CAPFL), and community partners attended. Speakers included superintendents from the Anaheim Elementary School District (AESD) and Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD).
This funding is part of a larger state commitment. California secured $1 billion in ongoing annual funding for the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSAP) through the Governor’s signature on the 2026-27 state budget. The program supports nearly 2,500 existing community schools and plans to expand to approximately 3,700 additional schools statewide, with all California counties eligible.
Community schools operate on a model developed during the COVID years, emphasizing four core features: integrated student supports, shared leadership, family and community engagement, and collaborative partnerships. Decision-making often involves "steering committees" at district and school levels, including students, parents, teachers, and staff. Gilbert High School principal Jose Lara noted this approach "flattens" the decision-making process. The program aims to strengthen leadership and partnerships, fostering welcoming environments for multilingual learners and immigrant families. OCCCO, a community-based organization, focuses on advancing equity for Orange County families through engagement and advocacy.
To qualify for the CCSAP, 65% of a school’s student body must be defined as "underserved," encompassing students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, foster youth, those experiencing homelessness, or migratory children. This criterion suggests schools in higher-income areas are less likely to participate.
Orange County currently has 147 community school sites across 14 school districts, 11 OC charter schools, and ACCESS programs, serving approximately 85,000 students. These sites had previously received about $215 million in funding. Anaheim is a significant hub for the program, having adopted it in 2021. All 17 schools in the AUHSD are Community Schools, and 21 out of 23 schools in the AESD also hold this designation. AESD Superintendent Jesus Chavarria noted that while the district's annual funding is slated to decrease slightly from $6.15 million in 2026-27 to $5.3 million in 2027-28, the ongoing nature of the funds helps ensure continuous operation.
Practical applications of the community school model include the Gilbert High School steering committee's success in adjusting OCTA bus schedules to better align with student dismissal times. At Sycamore Junior High, a steering committee used a district bus for a conference, saving money and enabling more parents and students to attend, a decision Maritza from OCCCO noted was reached by "consensus." Gilbert High School also partnered with City Arts to create a peace mural with student involvement.
