Neighborhood School Centers

The Fitz Center was selected in 2004 to design the concept and build the partnerships for five neighborhood school centers, a major initiative of The Dayton Foundation and the Dayton Public Schools. This initiative also strives to encourage parent and neighborhood participation in learning, increase program resources through community partnerships, and improve the neighborhoods surrounding the schools. Since utilization of community partnerships is essential to the success of the project, the Fitz Center is working to secure long-term relationships among public and private organizations for each neighborhood school center in order to assure the continuation of the project benefits beyond the life of any grants. The five schools are Kiser School and the Salvation Army; Edison School and the Dayton Urban League; Fairview School and Unified Health Solutions; Cleveland School with the YMCA; and Ruskin School with an East End Community Services partnership.

What Are Neighborhood School Centers?
There was a time when schools were important neighborhood anchors and served as vibrant centers of community life. The end of court-ordered busing in Dayton provides the opportunity to rebuild public schools. A growing national movement towards the creation of community schools has caught the attention of Dayton leaders.

A coalition of Dayton public and private partners has developed a three year pilot project to create "Neighborhood School Centers" at four Dayton elementary schools. The premise is that schools can be powerful contributors to community stability and growth.

What is the Purpose of Neighborhood School Centers?
Neighborhood School Centers (NSC) bring together many partners to offer a range of supports and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities. These partners work to ensure that:

• Children are ready to learn when they enter school and every day thereafter.
• All students learn and achieve to high standards.
• Young people are well prepared for adult roles in the workplace, as parents and as citizens.
• Families and neighborhoods are safe, supportive and engaged.
• Parents and community members are involved with the school and their own life-long learning.
• Achieving these results is the responsibility of all of the community partners, not just the schools and requires a shared vision and commitment of resources.