COMMUNITY SCHOOL LEARNING EXCHANGE

Intentional strategies leading to improved students' overall outcomes

For Black History Month, Grover Cleveland held a Snack and Chat for 4th and 5th-grade students!

Family engagement at Diehl Elementary reached new heights during the 24-25 school year, strengthening connections between home and school. Families consistently expressed pride in being part of the Diehl Community.

During the 2024-2025 school year, Diehl partnered with Erie Playhouse’s PLAYtime program to host a Read Aloud Family Workshop.

Grover Cleveland launched a March Madness Attendance Challenge to keep students engaged & excited to come to school!

Relationship Building: A Core Part of Edison
At Edison, relationship-building is a core part of their daily routines, from shaping policies based on community feedback to creating spaces for students, families, and staff to connect and support one another.

Every month, the Erie School Board receives a snapshot of how the Community School Model is transforming classrooms and communities across the district. Now, we’re sharing that same insider look with you. This report highlights tangible results, including programs launched, partnerships formed, and progress being made for Erie students and families.

Positive Youth Development – affectionately known as PYD – is Wilson’s student leadership team and a driving force behind peer engagement across the school. In just three years, the group has grown from three to nearly 20 active members.

During the 2024-2025 school year, 7th and 8th-grade Wilson students had the opportunity to attend Math Options Day at Penn State Behrend. Students competed in a STEM school challenge to make and fly a glider with a LEGO passenger and hit a target.

At Erie High, a United Way Community School, preparing students for life beyond graduation means more than just academics—it’s about providing real-world opportunities. .

Through a new career readiness initiative in partnership with Erie Insurance and other local community organizations, senior students gained valuable exposure to industry professionals and career readiness skills this year. During the school day, students participated in skill-building sessions focused on dressing for success, interview techniques, and resume writing.

Through the Community School Model and in partnership with Vision To Learn, Erie High students were able to access critical vision care services on-site this spring. Community School Directors worked closely with school nurses to identify students who had failed vision screenings during the 2024-25 school year.

McKinley Elementary hosted its very first Multicultural Music Festival and Art Gallery in May 2025—an evening full of color, creativity, and connection!

United Way of Erie County is proud to announce that Erie Strayer has joined McKinley Elementary as its official Corporate Partner

After facing multiple hardships, including unstable housing, a McKinley family was connected to the resources they need.

Over the past 8+ years, a quiet revolution has been unfolding in Erie’s public schools, and it is time we told the story. As our region works to reimagine its future, the success of our children is not a side issue: it is the foundation for everything.

Over the past decade, United Way of Erie County made a bold decision to shift from its traditional role as a fundraiser for local nonprofits to becoming a proactive social impact organization.

How United Way of Erie County is addressing Poverty through Community Schools
Since their inception, United Ways have seen numerous changes not only to the world around them, but also to the way they impact their local communities.

Community Schools are not just places where kids go to learn math and reading. They are schools that work with families and the whole community to support kids in every way. In this article, we’ll explore what Community Schools are, how they help kids, and why they are so important for breaking down learning barriers. 

When people think of a school, they usually picture students, teachers, and principals. But what if we told you there is a whole team working behind the scenes to make sure students get what they need to succeed? That team is led by United Way, and their job is to support something called a "Community School."