Maryland Center for Community Schools

The Maryland Center for Community Schools (MCCS) engages in relationships with community schools and school districts throughout the state to support their work as they implement the strategy, and conducts research to understand the impact of community schools as they work with families, students, and communities.

MCCS: A Central Hub for Community Schools

Housed within Towson University College of Education, the MCCS is a central hub in Maryland for comprehensive support to school districts and community schools. The Center aligns with Towson University and the College of Education's larger goal of being civic partners to the greater Baltimore region and Maryland. View PDF to learn more about MCCS accomplishments.

Who is MCCS?

MCCS is a group of faculty and practitioners supporting the over 600 community schools across Maryland. A community school is a public school that serves as the hub of its neighborhood by uniting families, educators, community partners and other local supports to promote equity and educational excellence for each child and to strengthen families and communities. It is an evidence-based strategy based on six key practices. Since 2021, these schools have grown in Maryland through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation, which ensures that resources and support are directed toward schools with the highest needs to improve their capacity to address disparities and foster holistic student development. 

What does MCCS believe?

The Center believes building trusting, reciprocal relationships with partners is critical for the work. MCCS aims to get to know, learn about and collaborate strategically with partners that include system and school-level practitioners, university researchers, non-profit agencies, families and students. Establishing mutual relationships ensures all stakeholders have a voice in the Center's work.  

What does MCCS do?

Professional Development

MCCS works with partners to offer tiered professional development strategies for school staff, including communities of practice, peer-to-peer mentoring, and a certificate program for Community Engagement and Leading School Change. The Center also hosts an annual conference, offers free webinars and provides consulting services.

research

MCCS works with research partners to conduct quantitative and qualitative projects to learn about the impact of community schools on families, students and communities. Research results are shared publicly to help understand the current impact of community schools and how to improve them. 

MCCS Partners

Group of students and professor
Read About TU Becoming the Central MCCS Hub
TU Becomes Home to Maryland Center for Community Schools More Information

Contact MCCS

Learn more about MCCS and stay up-to-date on the Center's work.