By Nick Curl
August 29, 2025
When one imagines a school, you picture classrooms, teachers, and students. Academic learning contained within four walls. But for Para Los Niños (PLN), that vision goes beyond classroom instruction. As PLN’s Director of Community Schools Diana Yi puts it, “A community school is really just a great school. It’s a hub that supports students, families, teachers, and staff with everything they need to thrive.” This vision is at the heart of PLN’s approach. Across Los Angeles, PLN is helping lead the way as part of California’s historic $4 billion investment in expanding community schools statewide. The goal: transform schools into places that remove barriers to learning and connect families with the resources, care, and opportunity.
For PLN families, many of whom face housing instability, food insecurity, and/or limited access to healthcare, community schools are more than just places of learning. They are centers of support and connection, where academic growth is paired with holistic care and shared decision-making between educators and families.
What Makes a Community School?
Community schools are guided by four pillars:
- Collaborative leadership and practices
- Integrated student supports
- Family and community engagement
- Expanded learning opportunities
Community School Coordinator Jose Lopez explains: “We connect our families with valuable partnerships and services that remove barriers to attendance and help set up students for success. Families benefit from resources such as health clinics, housing assistance, and even transportation support. Together, these supports prevent issues keeping students out of class, improving daily attendance while also strengthening academic success and a sense of belonging.”
Take healthcare access. Through a partnership with the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry’s Neighborhood Mobile Dental Van Prevention Program (NMDVPP), students have received free dental screenings and preventative care right in the school parking lot. Instead of missing school because of a toothache, children leave with cleanings, sealants, and referrals for further care, all provided on campus. Plans are also underway to launch a vision program to connect students with free eyeglasses, ensuring no child struggles in class simply because they can’t see the board. Another example is enrichment. Through PLN’s partnership with Inner City Arts, students explore ceramics, dance, painting, and drawing—opportunities that spark creativity and confidence. These programs not only nurture artistic skills but also build a sense of belonging, giving students outlets to express themselves beyond academics. Families benefit, too. Last year, PLN piloted cooking classes for families experiencing homelessness. Parents and children learned side by side, cooking healthy meals and connecting with other families in similar circumstances. What began as a simple idea became a safe, joyful space that helped families strengthen bonds and build community.
