UCP Charter Schools and UCF Launch: Community Schools Initiative to Expand Student, Family and Community Supports.

Written By: UCP Charter Schools

UCP Charter Schools is partnering with the University of Central Florida (UCF) to expand supports for students, families, and communities through the U.S. Department of Education's Full-Service Community Schools initiative.



Through the federally funded Unlimited Potential Initiative (UPI), Community Schools will launch at UCP Bailes Community Academy, UCP Downtown, and UCP Pine Hills Charter School during the 2026-2027 school year, with two additional UCP campuses joining in January 2027.

This initiative is a partnership between UCP Charter Schools, the University of Central Florida’s Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute (TJEEI), and the UCF Center for Community Schools (UCF CCS). The partners will implement the University-Assisted Community Schools model which brings together schools, families, community organizations, higher education partners, and local stakeholders to address barriers to student success and strengthen outcomes for children and families.

Through this partnership, UCP Charter Schools and UCF will work collaboratively to enhance and expand services such as after-school enrichment programs, academic supports, health and wellness resources, family engagement opportunities, and connections to community-based services.

As implementation begins, UCP Charter Schools and UCF TJEEI will conduct comprehensive needs assessments at each participating campus. Families, students, staff, and community partners will have opportunities to provide input through surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings that will help shape each school's Community School plan and guide future programming and services.

"Community schools are most successful when they build upon the strengths and priorities of the communities they serve," said Dr. Matthew Marino of UCF's Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute. "We are excited to partner with UCP Charter Schools to develop sustainable systems of support that connect students and families with the resources, opportunities, and relationships that contribute to long-term success."

UCP Charter Schools serves more than 2,100 students across Central Florida through an inclusive educational model in which all students are provided with opportunities to learn and grow to unlock their full potential. The network's commitment to customized support, family engagement, and community collaboration makes it uniquely positioned to implement the Community Schools model.

"At UCP, we have always believed that schools can serve as the hub of their communities," said Anna Morin, Associate Superintendent of UCP Charter Schools and project liaison for the initiative. "This partnership will allow us to deepen our work with families, expand access to critical resources, and create new opportunities for students to thrive and gain experiences that will impact learning in all ways. Most importantly, the needs and voices of our families, students, and staff will guide the development of each school's Community School plan."

The Community Schools initiative reflects a shared commitment by UCP Charter Schools and UCF to strengthen educational outcomes, increase family engagement, and build sustainable partnerships that support the whole child and the entire family.

About UCP Charter Schools

UCP Charter Schools, a program of UCP of Central Florida, operates a network of inclusive public charter schools serving more than 2,100 students across Central Florida. UCP's innovative educational model brings together students with and without disabilities in supportive learning environments that focus on academic achievement, independence, and lifelong success. For more information about UCP of Central Florida, visit www.ucpcfl.org. 

About the University of Central Florida Center for Community Schools

The University of Central Florida Center for Community Schools supports the development and sustainability of community schools through research, technical assistance, professional learning, and partnership development. Through the University-Assisted Community Schools model, UCF CCS works alongside schools and communities to create integrated systems of support that improve outcomes for students, families, and neighborhoods.



About Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute

The Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute at UCF provides leadership and support to individuals with disabilities and their families through education and research. and community outreach. Our services focus on academics, behavior, communication, independent living, career preparation, and community engagement.