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Community Schools

Our district has been awarded with the California Community Schools Partnership Program grant to expand and deepen our commitment to whole-child education, across all schools. This five-year transformative investment builds on our earlier planning and implementation efforts and will support the district-wide adoption of the Community Schools model guided by the four key pillars:

  1. Integrated Student Supports – We will build coordinated systems that address the academic, physical, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students and families. These supports will be informed by real-time data and community input to ensure all students have equitable access to services that allow them to thrive.

  2. Family and Community Engagement – We will cultivate meaningful partnerships with parents, caregivers, and local organizations to co-create inclusive learning environments. This includes expanding opportunities for shared decision-making, culturally responsive communication, and wraparound support that bridges school and home.

  3. Collaborative Leadership and Practices – Each school has established a Community Schools Team that will ensure to grow the participation from staff, students, families, and community members. Through inclusive and transparent decision-making processes, we will foster shared ownership in creating welcoming, equitable school cultures.

  4. Expanded and Enriched Learning Time and Opportunities – We will offer robust before-, after-, and weekend-school learning experiences that align with student interests and life skills development. These opportunities will support academic success, career readiness, and overall well-being.

Despite the significant challenges our community continues to face—from housing insecurity to pandemic recovery—SUHSD remains steadfast in our mission to empower every student to succeed. Through the community schools transformation, we are aligning our efforts to creating a Portrait of a Graduate that reflects career- and life-ready skills, lifelong learning, and community engagement.

With this investment, we move forward in our vision of schools as inclusive, supportive hubs where every student and family feels seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.

 

Implementation Plans

Community Schools Coordinators

Everett Alvarez High School Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Maria de Jesus Cuentas

El Sausal Middle School Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Monica Morales

Harden Middle School Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Rick Maravilla

La Paz Middle School Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Javier Bezares

Salinas High School Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Gabriala Manzo

Mount Toro, El Puente, Carr Lake Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Maritza Acosta

Washington Middle School Community Schools Coordinator 

  • Emmanuel Santillan

North Salinas High School Community School Coordinator

  • Estrella Cruz
     

The Salinas Union High School District applied and received full funding for the implemention of three community schools for the 2024-2025 school year, following the completion of the California Department of Education Planing Grant in 2022-2023. Our three community schools are: El Sausal Middle School, North Salinas High School, and Everett Alvarez High School.

Each site houses a unique Community Schools Committee, comprised of parents, students, staff, and community stakeholders. These committees worked with the support of district Community Schools Coordinator, Yvette Ramos, in completing a Needs and Assests Survey, in addition to supporting the collaborative creation of all site goals as submitted in the grant application. If you are interested in joining a site level team, or would like more information, please contact the Student Health and Wellness Department.

We will post updates as our sites begin implementation. Stay tuned! 

For more information on the California Community Schools Partnership Program, please visit the California Department of Education online HERE.