This September during Community Schools Coordinator Month, we celebrate our community schools coordinators for their vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students. Their work helps break down barriers, unlock potential, and create pathways to success for every child in Seaside.
MPUSD’s Seaside community is home to seven community schools:
- Central Coast High School
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Del Rey Woods Elementary School
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts
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Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula
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Ord Terrace Elementary School
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Seaside Middle School
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Seaside High School
What is a Community School?
A community school is both a place and a partnership, a hub where schools, families, nonprofit organizations, and local agencies work together to support student success. More than a program, it’s a whole-child school improvement strategy designed to address every aspect of a student’s well-being, including academic, physical, mental, and social-emotional, while embracing the strengths and needs of the surrounding community.
MPUSD’s Journey
MPUSD began its community school journey in the 2021-2022 school year by securing a $200,000 California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) planning grant. This funding allowed the district to:
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Strengthen partnerships with community organizations
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Provide training, technical assistance, and professional development
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Form collaborative leadership teams and set shared goals
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Assess needs and develop a sustainable community school model
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Create an implementation plan approved by the Board of Education
In 2023-2024, MPUSD advanced to the implementation phase with CCSPP funding for qualifying Seaside schools. This step brought an expanded network of support for students, addressing mental and physical health, social-emotional growth, academic success, and identity development.
Expanding and Sharpening the Work
The 2024-2025 school year marked year two of the implementation phase. During this year, MPUSD continued to expand and sharpen our work with community partners to address the vast and diverse needs of students in the Seaside learning community. This was also the year Central Coast High School joined the community schools network, further strengthening our ability to provide comprehensive support for students across Seaside.
Through the coordinated efforts of Community Schools Coordinators, Seaside schools have:
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Partnered with students, families, staff, and local agencies
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Expanded access to health and social services
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Increased academic supports and enrichment opportunities
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Built stronger bridges between the classroom and the community
These coordinators are the linchpins, connecting resources, fostering relationships, and ensuring students have what they need to thrive. Their work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.
Looking Ahead
With funding secured through the 2027–2028 school year, MPUSD’s community school initiative is laying the groundwork for a model that will outlast the grant, and ensuring sustainable, long-term benefits for students and families in Seaside.