New Community Schools

Thank you for joining this critical work, and for your commitment to helping students & families thrive in your school communities. The Office of Community Schools (OCS) is here to support you and your team every step of the way. 

Here are immediate steps that you can take to begin your journey as a Community School. 

View this presentation on
NYC community schools.

Take the steps listed in this
Onboarding Guide.

Download a copy of this master planning spreadsheet and use it to start planning for the school year.

Through a partnership with Change Impact, a library of self-paced workshops is available to you on the Change Up Learning platform. The platform includes a set of courses designed specifically for NYC Community Schools as well as a broad library of youth development and education topics.

Each community school can set up two accounts on the platform at no cost. Please note only NYC community schools are allowed to use this link, and accounts are available through June 30, 2025.

Activate your account using this link.

Once you register and log-in, you can enroll in courses such as:

The Fordham University CSTAC-NYC as part of the Center for Educational
Partnerships at the Graduate School of Education provides free and
personalized on-site and virtual support to new, existing, and
aspiring community schools.

  • New CSD Institute - Community schools strategy skill building for new CSDs offered periodically throughout the year

  • School and/or CBO Individual Support - In-person or remote support coaching the development of effective and sustainable community school strategies within your school community

  • Regional Conferences - Fordham CSTAC hosts multiple regional
    conferences throughout the five boroughs that provide free
    professional development on key issues facing community schools today. Continuing Teacher & Leader Education (CTLE) credit is open to all eligible participants.

All CSTAC services are free. Contact CSTAC to learn more.

Phone: 212-636-6100
Email: cstac@fordham.edu
Website: nyscommunityschools.org