About Us

Community Forward Schools utilize a comprehensive, tailored approach to provide opportunities and remove barriers to student success. The intentional focus on collaboration and partnerships creates pathways for stakeholders to work together, sharing responsibility for the overall success and wellness of children in Hamilton County.   

Our vision is to ensure that students and families thrive and experience opportunity by design.

Our mission is to remove barriers to learning by assessing strengths and needs, cultivating intentional and collaborative partnerships, and aligning supports to ensure every student, every family, and every neighborhood thrives.  

Our Lead Agency Partners:

1.  City of Chattanooga
2. Northside Neighborhood House
3. On Point

City of Chattanooga Community Schools	NNH Community Schools	On Point Community Schools
Brainerd High Calvin Donaldson Elementary Hardy Elementary Orchard Knob Elementary Orchard Knob Middle The Howard High School  Tyner Academy Woodmore Elementary	Hixson Elementary Hixson Middle Hixson High Red Bank Elementary Red Bank Middle Red Bank High Sale Creek Middle/High Soddy Elementary Soddy Daisy Middle Soddy Daisy High	Dalewood Middle

Our 6 Key Practices:

1. Integrated Systems of Support	2. Rigorous Community-Connected Classrooms	3. Enhanced Learning Opportunities
4. Personalized Culture of Belonging, Safety, & Care	5. Powerful Student & Family Engagement	6. Collaborative Leadership, Shared Power, & Voice

    

1. School teams work with students, families, and partners to identify, assess, and meet needs.

• Physical and mental health support
• Healthy food for families
• Dental/vision screenings
• Housing stability and support

2. Classrooms are dedicated to purposeful student engagement and rigorous academic content. Lessons reflect the expertise and experience of the local community to enrich student learning. 

• Community Share
• Dual enrollment/ AP courses
• Fairs and events with community partners

3. Children are connected to safe, high-quality learning experiences during and out-of-school times.

• Academic tutoring and enrichment
• Before and after-school programming/ Summer REACH
• Student clubs and extracurricular activities

4. Members of our school communities are valued and feel safe and encouraged to navigate learning in meaningful community.

• Restorative practices
• Trauma-informed school practices
• Engaging practices during advisory periods/morning meetings that are rooted in trust
• Student voice, collaboration, and belonging in classrooms and throughout the school community

5. The wisdom and lived experience of students and families are assets. Their voices shape and influence the priorities of the school environment and culture. 

• Regular engagement activities and events
• Healthy feedback loops are present and embedded in school processes
• Students and families play an active role in learning

6. Shared decision-making, accountability, and leadership empower stakeholders to be learners, partners, and leaders in student and school success.

• Cross-sector learning activities for educators, families, and community partners
• Advisory councils and C.A.S.T. (Community Action and Support Teams)
• Specialized cabinets and working groups

Volunteer or Partnership Opportunities

There are many opportunities for stakeholders to get involved in serving Community Forward Schools:

• After-school program support
• Tutoring Opportunities
• Clubs and extracurricular opportunities
• Drives (i.e. food and clothing)
• School beautification projects
• Stakeholder appreciation events

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