Northern & Millcreek Part of Statewide Pilot

​​​Northern Elementary and Millcreek Elementary are part of a five-year, transformative plan to develop full-service community schools that support student and family well-being. The Kentucky Community School Initiative seeks to create better outcomes for students and to reduce barriers to learning. Twenty districts and 40 schools are in the pilot, for which the Prichard Committee secured a $47 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. 

Each community school is a unique representation of that community’s needs and resources, therefore no two will look exactly alike. However, the statewide program does aim to embed these four pillars in each school:

• Active family and community engagement;
• Expanded and enriched learning times;
• Integrated supports;
• Collaborative leadership and practices to support high-quality teaching.

As part of the first year’s efforts, Northern and Millcreek are hosting a series of informal conversations to brainstorm and refine what families and community members imagine as the vision for their location. For instance, what are potential resources and important services? Early ideas have ranged from outdoor classrooms and community gardens to integrated health services in a community hub environment.

“I’m already seeing the promising impact of leveraging community assets to support students at Northern. By embracing a holistic approach to education, we’re not only shaping young minds but also laying the groundwork for brighter futures,” said Nicole Markle, program manager of the federal grant for Fayette County Public Schools.

Millcreek Principal Jodi Johnson also sees the potential for wrap-around services at her school, where the goal is improved academic and social-emotional outcomes for students. “We will look to build capacity in those around us -- lifting the ceiling on what is possible to achieve individually and collectively,” she said.                                                 

Through trusting relationships and well-coordinated supports, all the community schools aim to ensure their students receive the health, social service, and learning opportunities they need to succeed.

Contact: Nicole Markle, community schools district director