Seven more schools were selected over the summer to participate in the UFT’s Community Learning Schools initiative, joining 16 existing schools. Two more will be named this fall.

The new schools are located in four of the five boroughs and include two elementary schools, three K-8 schools, a middle school and a high school. They were selected after submitting an application in response to a request for proposals and participating in multiple rounds of interviews.

“We are excited to welcome these seven new schools,” said UFT Vice President Karen Alford, who heads the initiative. “Each one has the potential to develop into a full-service community hub that will strengthen neighborhood families and ultimately help students achieve their dreams.”

The UFT will support a resource coordinator in each of the new schools, as it does with the existing 16. That person will work with school and community leaders to identify what would help students and their families and to create innovative ways to bring the needed services into the building. The model, which is based on the Community Learning Centers in Cincinnati, Ohio, is designed to be financially self-sustaining.

The new schools share similar characteristics with schools already participating in the initiative: they have collaborative working environments, plan to offer a number of in-building services including health and mental health and are engaged with parents and community partners. So while the new schools have many unmet needs, they will also have resources and partners who are able to help thanks to the initiative.

The UFT’s Community Learning Schools join a growing number of community schools throughout the city, a reflection of the UFT’s shared vision with Mayor de Blasio.