GGUSD Receives $18 Million Grant to Expand Community Schools Initiative

• Thursday, May 8, 2025

Garden Grove Unified School District was awarded an $18 million grant to expand its Community Schools initiative, adding 13 new Community Schools for a total of 21 districtwide. The Community Schools initiative integrates supports and resources to expand opportunities for all students to succeed.

“This grant funding allows us to deepen our practice of collaboration, engaging our students, families, staff and community partners in targeted improvement strategies that meet the unique needs of each school” said Board of Education Vice President Bob Harden. “The Community Schools model uses intentional planning to bring about improved attendance, stronger family engagement and more successful students and families.”

The $18 million in grant funding was approved this week by the State Board of Education for the 13 new Community Schools, including Bryant, Clinton, Faylane, Murdy, Rosita, Stanley, and Violette elementary schools; Alamitos, Lake, Ralston and Walton intermediate schools; and Hare and Rancho Alamitos high schools. Announced by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Governor Newsom, this week’s grant allocation marks the fourth and final round of implementation grants totaling $618 million.

GGUSD’s first cohort of Community Schools was funded by a $12 million implementation grant and include Eisenhower Elementary School, Heritage Computer Science Academy, Newhope Elementary School, Russell Elementary Language Academy, Doig Intermediate School, Fitz Intermediate Language Academy, and Los Amigos and Santiago high schools.

GGUSD used the initial $12 million grant to fund a Community Schools Teacher Coach for each site who leads the development, coordination and implementation of the community school strategy at the site level with the continued support of CSLX. 

“GGUSD has always placed a high priority on maximizing the wealth of resources in our community and connecting families to those resources,” said Board of Education Trustee Teri Rocco. “We are thrilled to put these grant dollars to use to continue the transformative work of further developing Community Schools that serve as a hub of support for our families.”

Since 2002, families, staff, students and community partners within GGUSD’s eight Community Schools collaborated on developing the Community Schools’ vision and goals through multiple focus groups, surveys and meetings. The plans were aligned to the needs of the schools and three priority areas including student supports for learning and socio-emotional well-being, school-based health and wellness and family support and community resource navigation.

GGUSD’s Community School plans align to the district’s three goals of equipping all students with the academic skills and personal skills for lifelong success. The plans are reflective of GGUSD’s longstanding commitment to supporting families through the district’s robust Parent and Community Outreach programs and five Family Resource Centers.

Latest News