COMMUNITY SERVICES
 Peninsula Partnership:
 Belle Haven Community School Project

In 2005, the City of Menlo Park embarked on a collaborative effort with several public and private partners to convert Belle Haven Elementary into a full service school, better known as a "community school". Community Schools are a nationally recognized model that combines strong academic instruction with an array of vital supports and services for students and their families at the school site. To ensure effective coordination of the services provided by partners, the initiative is co-managed between the school and civic entity. With funding from local foundations, the City of Menlo Park, and the Ravenswood School District, Belle Haven School is on its fourth year of implementing the Community School model with the goal of positively impacting students, their families and the community. The results of these efforts are reflected in the significant gains in student achievement for the last three years:

2008 - API 632 (gain of 23 points)
2009 - API 653 (gain of 21 points)
2010 - API 685 (gain of 32 points)

Community School services provided on campus include:

A Family Resource Center with services such as counseling, access to public benefits, early learning for kids 0-5 and coordination of parent involvement

Youth mentoring provided by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bay Ar

An after school enrichment program managed by the Center for New Generation

A strong high school preparation program for 8th grade students and their families

Teacher training and support provided by New Teacher Center

Over 20 active partnerships with various local businesses, civic groups and non-profits to support the school in attaining it's academic and social goals. Here's a brief list of our partners; The Palo Alto University Rotary, Reading Partners Program, The Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, Youth and Family Enrichment Services, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, For Youth-By Youth, San Mateo County Human Services Agency and the Peninsula Boys and Girls Club.

For more information about this ongoing project, please contact Alejandro Vilches, Community School Director, at 650.330.2274 or arvilches@menlopark.org