State of our schools

It’s unfortunate that when communities age or become more economically accessible, schools are often labeled as “declining.” The truth is, the state of our schools reflects the state of our community, and the state of our community reflects the state of our schools. Public schools are required to enroll students who meet attendance requirements, and neighborhood schools are a direct mirror of the communities they serve.
If there are concerns about our schools and you live in the community, engagement is essential. Families and residents must be active participants in both the schools and the broader neighborhood. We have to be intentional about advocating for schools to employ people who live in the community, especially since many neighborhood schools are staffed by individuals who do not reside there. We must also be intentional about schools partnering with enrichment programs that already exist within the community.
Education does not begin at 7:00 a.m. on Monday or end at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Learning happens every day in homes, neighborhoods, and community spaces. It’s also important to acknowledge that educational options are not one-size-fits-all, and neighborhood schools may not be the right choice for every child. Regardless of the setting, success requires parents being engaged, neighbors working together, and adults consistently encouraging young people to take their education seriously.
Whether you chose a neighborhood because it fit your budget, through a mortgage or rental, or because it was passed down through family, we are all in this together.