Poughkeepsie City School District

Community Schools

In 2020, the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) designated all seven of its schools as Community Schools. The decision behind the designation was to create schools that serve as community beacons, bringing together school and community resources to improve student success and create stronger families and healthier communities. Given the fact that a child’s waking hours between kindergarten and high school amounts to 20 percent in the school environment and 80 percent in the community, it is imperative that a school, home and community approach is employed to holistically address the evolving and emerging needs of children. Across the country, community schools build bridges between school, home, and community to facilitate a holistic approach that will better guarantee that children find success in and out of school.

A graphic illustration of a school building with a bell tower, surrounded by houses and people, representing the Poughkeepsie City School District.

Parents of Students Entering 9th Grade 2025-26-Smart Scholars Early College HS-Performing Arts Academy- Application- Reserve your child's spot

Mental Health Monday Motivation...

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Meet the Staff and What They Do

Community Schools provides:

Partnerships with an array of community organizations and stakeholders interested in the positive youth development of PCSD students
Arts and Music programming in every school
Full-time School Librarians
Social Workers in every school
Crisis Intervention Specialist in every school
Liaisons to increase new and cultivate existing community partnerships and parental engagement
Mental Health Clinics (PMS and PHS)
A Parent Empowerment Center in PMS
An emergency food pantry in PMS
Funding to increase the number of school fieldtrips
Extended learning opportunities
1:1 Instructional devices to students and instructional staff
Parent supports and Free Workshops and Credentialing classes
Online age and developmentally appropriate literacy resources
Festivals at the beginning and end of every school year, in addition to holiday parties
And much more…..