OAKHURST, CA — Coarsegold Elementary School, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade and part of the Yosemite Unified School District (YUSD), has been awarded a Community Schools Implementation Grant. This is part of the third cohort of the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP).
The California State Board of Education (SBE) approved the grant, totaling $1.3 billion for this year, on May 8 following a proposal by the California Department of Education (CDE). This statewide funding initiative aims to enhance campus climate, meet social-emotional needs, and foster family and community partnerships.
Grant Disbursed Over Five-Year Period
Coarsegold Elementary will receive a total grant amount of $1,187,500 over five years, starting in the 2024-25 school year. This includes $250,000 annually for the first four years and an additional $187,500 in the fifth year.
Selection Criteria
The grant selection process considered schools’ Unduplicated Pupil Count (UPC). It prioritized students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, English Learners, or experiencing homelessness/foster status. While YUSD’s Rivergold Elementary and Yosemite High School also applied for the grant, only Coarsegold Elementary met the threshold.
“This grant presents a valuable opportunity to enrich our school environment and enhance student support,” said Brian Beck, YUSD Superintendent.
Beck continued, “We will leverage this funding to enhance Coarsegold’s campus climate and culture, better meet students’ social-emotional needs, and strengthen connections with families and community members as valued partners. Moving forward, we remain committed to pursuing future grant opportunities to benefit all schools within our district.”
Largest Single Investment in Community Schools Nationwide
The CCSPP represents the largest single investment in community schools nationwide, amounting to a total investment of $4.1 billion. Community schools under the CCSPP collaborate with educational institutions, county agencies, and nonprofits to deliver integrated health, mental health, and social services alongside high-quality, supportive instruction. The focus is on fostering robust community engagement, strengthening family ties, and addressing the holistic needs of students.
The CDE and the SBE designed the California Community Schools Framework, which has become a national model for transformational community schools implementation guidance.
To learn more about the Community Schools Implementation Grant, please refer to the California Department of Education’s announcement here.
