Blog

Written with contributions from Aubrey Goodman, SchoolWorks Consultant Team Member

Building a thriving school community requires more than strong instruction. It depends on authentic engagement with the people who care most about your students’ success. When families, students, and community members are invited to contribute meaningfully, schools benefit from stronger relationships, richer resources, and a deeper sense of shared purpose.

But fostering that level of engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional planning to create opportunities for every voice to be heard. Here at SchoolWorks, we encourage school teams to craft community engagement plans that start with structure, communication, and curiosity.

Here’s how schools can approach this work.

 

1. Build Structures That Invite Input

The foundation of community engagement is inclusion in decision-making. Schools can establish formal structures where families and stakeholders have a clear and consistent voice:

• Parent or family advisory committees that meet regularly with school leaders to share feedback and collaborate on improvement efforts.
• Parent-teacher organizations (PTOs) that serve not only as support groups but as bridges between families and leadership.
• For charter schools, family representation on the governing board, ensuring that parents have a seat at the table when key decisions are made.

When schools create these structured spaces for dialogue, they shift engagement from occasional events to ongoing partnership.

 

2. Communicate Consistently and Transparently

Information builds trust. Schools that communicate regularly and clearly help families feel connected and informed. This can include:

• Weekly newsletters linking families to relevant updates, resources, and celebrations.
• Frequent social media posts featuring messages from school leaders or highlights of student success.
• Videos and short messages that bring the school’s story to life for families who may not be able to visit in person.
• Regular family meetings—in person, on Zoom, or perhaps, opportunities that offer both—also help maintain open communication. Schools can align these sessions with the calendar of school life: test results, upcoming transitions, or graduation milestones. Inviting relevant staff to participate creates direct access and reinforces that the school values family voice.

 

3. Create Welcoming Opportunities for Participation

Not every parent wants to serve on a committee, but most want to feel connected to their child’s school. Offering a range of participation opportunities makes engagement accessible to all:

• Volunteer options like in the cafeteria, library, or during field trips.
• Celebrations and cultural events like student assemblies, multicultural nights, or community potlucks.
• Educational sessions for parents, such as literacy workshops or financial literacy classes.

A key consideration is equity. Are these events offered at varied times so all families can attend? Is it possible for childcare to be provided during parent meetings? Are translation services available to ensure every family has access? Small logistical choices can make a major difference in who feels welcome and able to participate.

 

4. Engage the Broader Community

Community engagement should extend beyond families. Local businesses, nonprofit partners, and civic organizations can play an important role in connecting student learning to the wider world.

Schools can invite community members to:

• Speak to students about careers and local opportunities.
• Host field trips or work-based learning experiences that expose students to new industries.
• Join advisory councils to contribute expertise and strengthen school-community partnerships.

When these relationships are cultivated intentionally, they enhance student learning and embed the school more deeply in the fabric of the community.

 

5. Listen, Reflect, and Refine

Even the most thoughtful plan should evolve over time. Regularly surveying families and community partners can reveal what’s working, what’s not, and what stakeholders are seeking.

If engagement feels low, start by asking:

• Do families know how to get involved?
• Are opportunities accessible to all?
• Are we communicating in ways that meet families where they are?

By listening with curiosity—and adjusting based on feedback—schools demonstrate that stakeholder voices don’t just matter; they make a difference.

 

Why It Matters

Research, like this article from Hanover Research, continues to show that family and community engagement improves student achievement, attendance, and school culture. Beyond the data, it also cultivates a deeper sense of belonging. As SchoolWorks’ Aubrey Goodman reflects, “When families and communities are involved, it brings a higher sense of well-being and connection. That sense of connection is what sustains a school community.”

 

Partnering for Meaningful Engagement

Whether your school is building an engagement plan from scratch or looking to strengthen existing structures, SchoolWorks can help you design strategies that elevate every voice.

To learn more about how we can support your school or district, reach out anytime at hello@schoolworks.org.

This article is written with contributions from Aubrey Goodman, SchoolWorks Consultant Team Member.