Strengthening Communities and Pathways for Success In and Out of the Classroom
Our Piko
The story of the RCSF project is one of inspiration, collaboration, and collective action.
It all started as a meeting between dedicated community partners with a common vision. We put schools and families at the center–Our Piko–and envisioned what a holistic community would look like to them. A community in which each generation is touched by an intentional web of support systems, connected by educators whose needs are also met, and administrators are inspired to create opportunities for connection beyond the classroom walls. We took action and haven’t looked back since.
Our Journey: Where We Started
Our Timelime
- 2019: Hawaiʻi’s first Community Schools began at 3 schools in Kapaʻau on Hawaiʻi Island: Kohala Elementary, Middle, and High.
- 2020: RCSF expansion planning
- 2021 (April): Collaborative partnership. A Hawaiʻi Community Schools working group of RCSF partners began convening to define community schools.
- 2022: Successful launch of 3 new Community Schools in rural and remote regions across three of Hawaiʻi’s islands.
Where We Are Now
Our Progress
Each school is unique and has different needs. Our Community Schools Specialists (CSC) have collectively engaged dozens of community partners to leverage existing resources, organized dozens of community events, and provided professional development trainings to educators.
- 5 schools: Blanche Pope, Mountain View, Pāʻia, Waiʻanae, Hōnaunau
- 16 professional development events at partner schools
- 79% of responding participants rated professional development content as useful or very useful
Where We're Going
Our Future & Vision
Community schools focus on a holistic education, community engagement, and the personal and social development of each student.
It is our vision for community schools to expand to 25 schools – as part of RCSF or external partnerships – across the pae ʻāina by 2025.
- Expanding to 23/25 schools across the pae ʻāina
- Supporting Office of Wellness and Resilience
- State Coalition for Community Schools
- We envision a world in which community schools are vibrant hubs of learning, growth, and support.
- Every student is empowered with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to realize their fullest potential.
We deeply mahalo the following partners/funders/foundations that made our vision of Resilient Communities, Schools, and Families a reality: Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the United States Department of Education Native Hawaiian Education Program and the Stupski Foundation. RCSF is made possible by their generous investment and continued commitment to the future of our keiki. Mahalo for dreaming with us.
Learning Together
From Our Community Schools