A School Board and City-Wide
Initiative to Support
Community Schools in
Cincinnati, Ohio
Darlene Kamine
Community Learning Center Institute
Geoffrey Zimmerman
Strive
Together in Partnership for Our Youth
Community Learning Centres Network
Quebec, Canada – Video Conference
May 6, 2010
Why Community Learning Centers?
• Declining enrollment in Cincinnati Public
Schools.
• Increase in poverty and connected conditions
of poverty – high mobility, poor health, family
illiteracy, economic instability.
• Loss of middle class from schools and the city.
• Failed school tax levies, diminishing tax base
• Flight of creative class; difficult to attract new
business, qualified work force.
Community Learning Center Logic Model
Community Learning Centers*
CLC Development and
Utilization*
Short-Term
Student Support and
Achievement**
Parent, Family and
Community
Engagement
Intermediate
Increase in School
Enrollment and
Achievement ****
Revitalization of
Neighborhoods,
Cities, and Citizens
Long-Term Impact of CLC Centers
Top Ten Community Learning Center Outcomes
K
e
y
A
r
e
a
s
Community
Learning
Centers
1. CLCs catalyze school-community integration, social-cultural enrichment and life-long
learning for students, parents and members of the community.
Schools
1.Schools sustain high-level performance and quality (increase in school ratings and
performance index)
2. Schools cultivate positive school culture and bonding to school
3. Schools maintain high student enrollment, attendance, and achievement
Students
1. Academic enrichment, extracurricular programs and student support activities optimize
academic achievement and student development
2. Integrated school-based services facilitate students’ healthy development
Parents/Family
1. Parents/Families are involved in students’ success
2. Parents/Families benefit from CLC programs and services
1. Integrated community programs and partnerships enrich and revitalize neighborhoods
2. Neighborhoods are vibrant, safe, and a positive place for children and families
Neighborhoods,
Cities, and
Citizens
Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education
Guiding Principles for
Community Learning Centers
1. In order to serve more fully the needs of our students and to support the improvement of
their academic and intellectual development, all Cincinnati Public Schools will engage their
communities in improving student achievement. As centers in the community, the schools and
their partners should foster strong collaboration, set high expectations, embrace diversity, and
share accountability for results.
2. Each school in the district will assess the needs of its student population using the OnePlan
process. As a result of that process, the school will develop the partnerships needed to
enhance opportunities for student success and community investment.
3. Where the school and its community deem it appropriate, those partnerships may result in
organizations and agencies locating at the school site to deliver services. When that occurs,
the school will be defined as a community learning center.
Approved 5-21-2001
Cincinnati Public Schools
Board of Education
Community Engagement is Fundamental
Community Engagement Process
1. Shared vision
2. Asset Mapping
3. Needs Assessment
4. Priorities
5. Partnerships
6. Implementation
Coordinated, Aligned and Integrated Community Partnerships at the Site Level
Community Engagement Process Develops Coordinated, Aligned and
Integrated Community Partnerships at Each Site
School
Site
After
School
Parent
Center
Site Resource
Coordinator
Health
Art
Community
Meetings
Recreation
Adult ed
Tutoring
Social
Services
CPS
Green&
Healthy
Early
Childhood
Leave No
Child Inside
College
Access
Cincy After
School
After
School
Parent
Center
Site Resource
Coordinator
Health
Adopt a Class
Growing Well
School
Site
Art
Community
Meetings
Recreat ion
Adult ed
Tut oring
Social
Services
Arts
Education
MindPeace
Tutoring
Mentoring
Innovations
Cross Boundary Leadership Team
Strive Partnership
Parent
Network
Defining Elements of the Community Learning
Centers Cross Boundary Leadership Team
1. Coordinated networks of community agencies and
providers partnering with CPS community learning centers
2. Committed to the CPS community learning center model
3. Responsive to the community engagement, customer-
driven, site-specific development of partnerships
4. Financially self-sustaining
5. Aligned with CPS goals and data based outcome
measurements
21st Century Community Learning Center @ Pleasant Ridge Montessori
Cincinnati Public Schools
Pleasant Ridge Montessori
Principal Maria McDonough
Local School Decision
Making Committee
Resource Coordinator
Angie Okuda
363-4474 / 478-8905
okudaan@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
aokuda@cincinnatiymca.org
Partner
PARTNER
TEAMS
COORDINATING
Business
Partnerships
Resource Coord.
Blue Ash YMCA
Angie Okuda
363-4474
okudaan@cpsboe.
k12.oh.us
*PR Community Council
*Golf Manor
*Amberley Village
*Hilltop
*PR Rec Center
*District A
*PR Presbyterian Church
•Xavier University
*Blessings in a Backpack
*United Way-Emerging
Leaders
*Fresh Fruits and
Vegetable Grant
*Go Cincinnati!
*Learning is Cool
Mental Health
Children’s Home
Of Cincinnati
Lori
Osterhage
losterha@
thechildrenshomecinti.org
CPS
School Psychologist
Joan Lichtman
(Case Coordinator)
CPS Social Worker
Cynthia Davis
Mon/Tues
Bridgepoint
Nancy Stella
nstella@cinci.rr.com
Lucy Allen
lucyallen@
Bridepointepsych.com
CenterPoint
CincyAfterSchool
Health & Wellness
Cincinnati
Health Dept
Barb Demasi
363-4421
PridgeRN@
Cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Blue Ash YMCA
Executive Director
Paul Waldsmith
791-5000
Green/Healthy
Schools
Tutoring
LSDMC
Environmental
Sub-committee
(Green Projects)
Blue Ash YMCA
Chris Reece
478-3027
creece@
cincinnatiymca.org
Intersessions
Test Prep & Literacy
CPS Speech
Pathologist
Jackie Woods
CPS OT
Kim Gary
Dental Program
Lens Crafters
Project Connect
Marthe L. Church, M.A.
513.363.3304
WhizKids
Terry Phillips
tphillips@
Crossroads.net
ALLY
Ginny Frazier
Nsgreenschool
@yahoo.com
Recycling
Mentoring
Cincinnati Youth
Collaborative
Donald Swain
dswain@
cycyouth.org
Winners Walk Tall
Karen Volk 604-6019
FosterGrandparents
Kathie Smith 378-7812
Girlscouts
Stephanie Willets
Literacy Network 489-1025 Ext. 119
Recipe for Reading BoyScouts
CAKE, ELP, SES Mark Phair 673-3671
ESL
Natasha Taylor
#207-5124
taylorn@cpsboe.
k12.oh.us
VolunteersCincinnati Reads
UGive
DayCare
ChildCare
Boys/Girls Camp
CincyAfterSchool
Angela Grunkemeyer
477-2422
CYC-Girls’ Club
Brenda Berry
eb.berry@fuse.net
Blue Ash YMCA
In God’s Hand
Kennedy Heights
Montessori Center
Lil Peep’s
Norwood YMCA
(RE Lindner)
PR Rec Center
Small World
The Goddard School
The Mayerson JCC
Youthland Academy
21st Century Community Learning Center @ Pleasant Ridge
Cincinnati Public Schools
Pleasant Ridge Montessori
Principal Maria McDonough
Local School Decision
Making Committee
Resource Coordinator
Angie Okuda
363-4474 / 478-8905
okudaan@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
PARTNER
TEAMS
COORDINATING
Partner
Parent/Family
Engagement
PTO
Ruth Anne Wolf
#731-2268
#307-3640
Officers
Co-President
prmptopres@gmail.com
Co-President
prmptocopres@gmail.com
Vice President
prmptovp@gmail.com
Co-Treasurer
prmptotres@gmail.com
Co-Treasurer
prmptocotres@gmail.com
Secretary
prmptosec@gmail.com
Website
prmwebmaster@gmail.com
Foundation
SupportPRM.org
Outdoor and
Nature/Gardens
Fine Arts Education
Recreation
Rain Garden
Community Garden
Civic Garden Center
Corina Bullock
221-0981
Composting
CincyAfterSchool
Blue Ash YMCA
Angela Grunkemeyer
Cindy Kuethe
CPS/YMCA
KuetheC
@cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Environmental Camp
CincyAfterSchool
Blue Ash YMCA
Executive Director
Paul Waldsmith
791-5000
477-2422
agrunkemeyer@
Cincinnatiymca.org
Creative Arts Camp
CincyAfterSchool
Angela Grunkemeyer
477-2422
Spanish Estela@
Cincinnatispanishacademy.com
602-6100
Violin-Alex Hiew
tsb81@yahoo.com
Band-Mr. Godfrey
godfreyp@
cpsboe.k12.oh.us
Choir/Musical
Ms. Liming
363-4454
Rec Camp
Sports Camp
CincyAfterSchool
Angela Grunkemeyer Kindergarten Camp
477-2422
Library Camp
Creative Arts Camp
KenSil Soccer
Boy’s Camp
Scott Hatch
Girl’s Camp
229-1416
Environmental
Camp
Adult Dodgeball
Jesse Bihary
791-5000
Rec Camp
Sports Camp
Library Camp
B-Ball/VolleyBall
Clinics
Sean Gary
693-8170
Intersessions
District-wide Summary of Partnerships
42 schools have co-located, full-time community mental health professionals,
most with child psychiatrist as part of the mental health on site team (MindPeace)

 30 schools have co-located, full-time community after school coordinators with
daily aligned extended day programming (CincyAfterSchool)
46 schools have on site nurses and 8 schools have co-located or linked
comprehensive school based clinics (Growing Well)
163 businesses mentoring 4,493 students (Adopt a Class)
1st LEED certified school in Ohio; led district and state to adopt LEED sustainable
design standards for all new and renovated facilities. (ALLY)
23 Resource Coordinators providing comprehensive management of community
learning center implementation and ongoing development. (United Way, Greater
Cincinnati Foundation, et. al & CPS)
Highlights of Unique CLC Partnerships
Transformation from shrinking, high poverty school to popular neighborhood Montessori
school attracting middle class back to CPS and the City. (Pleasant Ridge Montessori)
Creation of vibrant neighborhood cultural arts center in closed school as part of CLC
campus adjoining new CPS foreign language magnet school (Fairview Clifton German Language
School)
Redevelopment of flagging Paideia program to a Museum School, located in
neighborhood park with 14 museum partners. (Silverton School)
Establishment of International Welcome Center as a hub to serve and connect
internationally diverse families. (Roberts)
Creation of two new prek-12 schools to boost high school graduation in Urban
Appalachian neighborhoods. (Riverview East and Oyler)
Co-location of early childhood education center serving 18 month-5 year olds. (Riverview)
Co-location of Boys and Girls Club at two community learning centers.(Oyler and Roll Hill)
.
Sample of Sustaining Grants and Funding
•
CPS provides overhead expenses and District Community Engagement Facilitator and
management services; contributes funding for resource coordinators
•
Ohio Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center grants support
after school programming
•
City of Cincinnati Health Department shares funding for nurses.
•
Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way partially fund Resource Coordinators
•
Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati grant and overhead expenses provided for
Growing Well infrastructure and start-up of school based health clinics
•
Medicaid and private third party billing for mental health services
•
Private family foundation grants funded capital expenses for building of two co-located
early childhood education programs for 0-5 year olds.
•
Private family foundation underwrites full cost of mentoring program.
Results
• 5th year in Continuous improvement on state
proficiencies.
• District-wide increase in enrollment
After 14 years of declining enrollment, turnaround
beginning in 2007 with steady growth approaching 35,000
students (prek-12) in contrast to prediction of continuing
decline to 28,000 and planned closing of schools.
• District-wide increase in attendance
Turnaround from average daily attendance below
benchmark of 93% beginning in 2003-04 with yearly
increase of 94% to over 95%.
• District-wide increase in graduation
Increase from 51% in 2000 to 82% in 2008
Cited as Graduation Overachiever in EdWeek for exceeding
expectations for graduation from 1996-2006 by 23%.