CCSA highlights five charter public community schools and launches multiyear initiative to promote best practices statewide
SACRAMENTO, CA — As California prepares to significantly expand its investment in community schools, several charter public schools are already demonstrating what’s possible when academic rigor and whole-child support go hand in hand—delivering strong student outcomes while providing services like free meals, health care, housing assistance, family education programs, and much more.
For the first time, these approaches are being documented and shared statewide through Community Schools In Action: Charter Public Schools Leading the Way—a new toolkit and online resource hub produced by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) and designed to help all public schools adopt, replicate, and scale effective community school practices developed by the state’s charter public school community.
“Charter public schools have been leading the way as community schools for decades,” said Myrna Castrejon, CCSA President and CEO. “These schools show that when you combine strong academics with meaningful support for students and families, you don’t have to choose between equity and excellence—you can achieve both. At a time when the state is doubling down on this model, it’s critical that we lift what works and make it easier to replicate.”
Long before the term “community schools” was widely adopted, California’s charter public schools were already providing wraparound services to students and families—pairing academic rigor with whole-child support. In fact, nearly 80 percent of charter public schools that receive state funding as community schools have been in operation for 10 or more years, and nearly 60 percent for 15 or more years—demonstrating sustained success across multiple charter renewal cycles.
Research shows community schools can reduce absenteeism by an average of 30 percent and lower suspension rates by 15 percent, according to the Learning Policy Institute, which conducts independent studies to improve education policy and practice.
Now, as part of a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, CCSA will analyze longstanding, high-performing charter public community schools.
In the first year of Community Schools In Action, CCSA highlights five charter schools leading this work:
· Bright Star Schools: Stella Middle Academy (Los Angeles)
Through its Compass program, Stella Middle Academy integrates social-emotional learning with robust counseling, mental health, and wellness supports. Partnerships also provide families with access to free eye exams, eyeglasses, and extended-day programming.
· Gateway Community Charters: Sacramento Academic & Vocational Academy (Sacramento)
Through partnerships with organizations like the Sacramento Food Bank, the Sacramento Academic & Vocational Academy (SAVA) offers hands-on parent workshops focused on financial literacy, nutrition, and healthy living—helping families navigate limited resources while supporting student success.
· KIPP Bridge Academy (Oakland)
KIPP Bridge’s Coordination of Services Team (COST) connects students and families to critical supports including housing assistance, food resources, mental health counseling, and academic interventions—ensuring they address barriers to learning.
· Para Los Niños (Los Angeles)
As the only children’s mental health provider in Skid Row, Para Los Niños integrates education with wellness services, workforce development, and family support—reaching more than 10,000 children and families annually and addressing challenges such as homelessness and food insecurity.
· Health Sciences High & Middle College (San Diego)
Students prepare for high-demand healthcare careers through hands-on learning, paid internships, and partnerships with institutions like San Diego State University and Sharp HealthCare—building strong pathways to both college and careers.
In California, 189 charter schools have received funding through the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) between the 2022–23 and 2025–26 school years, supporting planning and implementation. Together, these schools serve more than 69,000 students, including disproportionately high numbers of low-income students and English learners.
As of early 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed making California’s community schools model permanent through $1 billion in ongoing Proposition 98 funding, supporting nearly 2,500 schools statewide. The proposal would significantly expand access, making an additional 3,700 schools eligible for funding and potentially reaching roughly one in four campuses statewide.
With a decades-long record of success, many charter public community schools stand to benefit from this proposed investment. However, CCSA is urging the Governor and Legislature to ensure flex-based charter public schools remain eligible for CCSPP funding. Current proposals would exclude these public schools from eligibility—even though many flex-based charter public schools previously received or have been receiving CCSPP funding and have demonstrated strong outcomes serving some of the state’s most vulnerable students.
“Flex-based charter public schools offer personalized learning programs with innovative schedules designed to accommodate student needs, such as hybrid instruction—where students attend classes onsite two to four days per week—as well as independent study and homeschooling options,” said Castrejón. “They provide a critical second chance for many young people—including pregnant teens, students who have dropped out, incarcerated youth, homeless and foster students, and medically fragile students. These schools should not be singled out for exclusion.”
Unlike traditional public schools, charter public schools must regularly prove strong academic outcomes to remain open. In exchange, they are granted flexibility to design programs that meet the unique needs of their students and communities. The community school model has emerged as a powerful strategy within this framework—aligning academic goals with integrated supports and deep family engagement.
As California’s charter public schools continue to serve diverse and historically underserved populations, leaders say sharing proven, data-driven strategies will be key to ensuring long-term success for schools, students, and communities alike.
Community Schools In Action: Charter Public Schools Leading the Way
Visit ccsa.org/community-schools to access:
- Community Schools In Action Toolkit
- A campus tour of KIPP Bridge Academy, a longstanding charter public school community school in West Oakland
- Stories featuring other charter public community schools highlighted this year
Media interested in speaking with CCSA leadership or visiting a school can contact Ana Tintocalis at [email protected] or 916-666-2274.
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About the California Charter Schools Association
The vision of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) is to build great public schools of joy and rigor that prepare all California students for success in college, career, community, and life. The mission of CCSA is to meet parent, educator, and community needs for great public school options by supporting and advocating for high quality non-profit charter schools and sharing their success throughout California’s public schools.