NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL CENTERS
Enriching the Educational Lives of Dayton-area Students

Neighborhood School Centers

In 2005, The Dayton Foundation announced a community leadership initiative to create neighborhood school centers at Dayton elementary schools slated to be rebuilt over the next several years.

In addition to awarding grants totaling $80,000 to support the project, The Dayton Foundation organized a funding collaborative of 20 major partners. These partners include the City of Dayton, Dayton Public Schools, Montgomery County, United Way of the Greater Dayton Area and the University of Dayton, among others. Together they committed nearly $1 million to the project. Children and adults will be able to come after school and on weekends for programs ranging from homework clubs to community gardening and family wellness classes.

A third to a half of the students in these schools live in poverty. A national study of similar school centers in other cities has shown that students who attend these types of neighborhood schools tend to have improved grades and proficiency test scores, better attendance, and reduced behavior and discipline problems. Neighborhoods also benefit through improved safety and stronger community pride.