Strategy

Beacon Community Schools (BCS) – Youth Development Institute Part of the Community Schools Models Strategy

 What is it?

The Beacon Community Schools (BCS) is supported by the Youth Development Institute, which is an organization that provides technical assistance to youth-serving organizations. Beacon Community Schools serve over 150,000 children, youth, and adults through 5,000 community schools in 10 cities across the country. Through school transformation, BCS is committed to promoting healthy youth development and family and community well-being.

What is the evidence base?

Students who attend Beacon Community Schools feel more connected to school, improve their self-efficacy, show improvements in academic achievement, and have lower rates of negative behaviors.

• Zeller-Berkman_2012_Beacon Community Schools: Igniting Engagement of Youth and Communities in our Nation’s Cities
• LaFleur et al_2011_The Beacon Community Centers Middle School Initiative: Final Report on Implementation and Youth Experience in the Initiative