Whole Child Education

As a four-time winner of whole child partner America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People recognition, Lakewood, Wash., has been a driving force in serving its youth population.

Diversity and mobility have set the stage for the city's ability to provide a multitude of youth-related services that range from mobile food programs, which ensure provisions to youth without transportation, to the Pierce County Bookmobiles that provide educational resources to youth who come from low-income or isolated areas. With more than 200 members of the Lakewood Community Collaboration continuing to address the needs of youth and the wealth of youth involvement in their community, Lakewood is a symbol for positive change.

Incorporating student voice, engagement, and overall well-being into the community are top priorities in Omaha, Neb. Nestled in an environment with strong Midwestern values, the city has a deep understanding and focus on creating a collaborative pathway to achievement so that its youth can succeed.

Interactive leadership programs, like Youth Leadership Omaha and the City of Omaha's Mayor's Youth Commission, have allowed students to examine their community in full and participate in addressing community needs to promote long-term wellness. A dedication to the growth of youth is also evident in volunteering, receiving mentoring services, and gaining preparation for post-secondary education that are easily accessible through local nonprofit organizations, like Building Bright Futures and the Midlands Mentoring Partnership.

Omaha, Neb., is a first-time winner of whole child partner America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People recognition.

Family-oriented Butler County, Mo., has been putting forth an inspiring amount of effort into providing a multitude of opportunities for youth. "Learning, serving, and growing" characterizes the focus of this two-time winner of the whole child partner America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People recognition.

Between community theater productions, spelling bees, and civic athletics, youth are involved in educational opportunities across a spectrum of subjects. A driving force in Butler County is the Community Resource Council, where more than 300 individuals and 100 local agencies participate in community action committees that promote healthy children and families.

Youth are even involved in developing local policies—almost every youth-serving program asks for youth participants to assess the community's role in meeting their needs and the programmatic effects through an annual survey.

Focused on maintaining a well-rounded community that flourishes with academic and service resources for youth, it's no wonder that Irvine, Calif., is a three-time winner of whole child partner America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People recognition.

Irvine truly exemplifies the importance in building a community that values child development, and their community programs include the community-developed Strategic Plan for Children, Youth and Families that addresses emotional, physical, academic, and social needs of youth; the Irvine Child Care Committee that works with School Readiness Programs to ensure that all of Irvine's youth have access to quality educational programs; and the Irvine Children's Health Program that reaches out to families in need of affordable health care for their children.

Three-time winner of whole child partner America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People recognition, Sylacauga, Ala., has made its mark on addressing youth needs and collaboration. Through the community's coalitions and partnerships, award-winning programs like SAFE Family Services Center, the BRIDGES after-school program, and HIPPY (Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) have helped promote community cohesion.

The SAFE coalition provides meaningful opportunities for families to contribute to the growth of Sylacauga and develop the initiative to serve others. Graduation rates are increasing because of BRIDGES and HIPPY, programs that both provide youth development activities to students across diverse age-groups.

Whether through the analysis of needs assessment data or the selection of coalition-led/evidence-based prevention and intervention programs, it's clear that Sylacauga has an innate desire to better its community.

Community collaboration full of diverse and proactive engagement continues to create a wonderful place to live in Anchorage, Alaska, a four-time winner of whole child partner America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People recognition.

The effects of decisions related to youth and families play a key role in community activities and programs, such as the Youth Advisory Commission and the Supportive Adult Relationships Coalition, that have helped members of the Anchorage community voice their opinions and raise awareness about services ranging from education to housing.

Spirit of Youth and the Good News-Great Kids serve as motivational programs that offer financial support and recognition to youth who value community service and have overcome obstacles in their lives. The unique enrichment, cultural experiences, and focus on the well-being of its residents truly makes Anchorage a vibrant and engaging place to live.

Setting the stage for student engagement, performance, and growth is what Charles M. Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts and Sciences in Colorado Springs, Colo., is all about.

Through the integration of Positive Behavior Intervention Support, Response to Intervention, and character education, the school has escalated the growth and achievement of its students by incorporating academic practices with global and cultural awareness and helps instill a moral compass within each student.

Designated as a Colorado School of Character for the past two years and a School to Watch® by whole child partner National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, Russell Middle School truly values creating an invaluable school experience for its students.

Committed to fulfilling the vision of having all students graduate from high school, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has started a four-phase effort to transition into a full-service community school district that supports the unique needs of each child.

Determined to see that each student is in a safe, healthy, and supportive school with high-quality and effective instruction and prepared for success in college and future employment, California's OUSD believes that it is 100 percent necessary to have a high-quality instructional core, as well as student and family support services accessible to all students. The growing community-wide culture of a shared purpose and relational accountability has also helped promote the creation of a five-year strategic plan to reach these goals.

Named the most improved urban school district in California, OUSD will continue to make incredible strides in its mission to transform the district into one that truly serves the whole child.