After a two-year collective effort that brought together educators, families, students, and community members, the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) announced the launch of 12 community schools —4 middle schools and 8 high schools— supported by a $21.85 million grant from the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).
According to the district, more than 16,000 people participated in the grant proposal process, reflecting the specific needs and strengths of each community. Nine out of ten expressed strong support for the community schools model.
To mark this milestone and strengthen regional collaboration, SUHSD, together with Chula Vista Elementary, National, San Ysidro, and South Bay Union school districts, as well as teachers’ associations from South County, held the first South County Community Schools Summit. The gathering brought together educators and local officials to share experiences, highlight progress, and explore new ways to collaborate.
Highlights included the recognition of nearly 50 community schools in the region, presentations on the strategy’s core components, a panel with education leaders and teacher unions, and collaborative sessions for districts to strengthen partnerships.
The state of California has allocated $4 billion to this model, aiming to transform how schools serve students and families by integrating academic, health, social, and community services.
With the addition of these 12 schools, SUHSD joins the statewide movement of more than 2,500 community schools, working to expand resources and accelerate locally driven strategies that improve student outcomes.