Why Community Schools Matters
When students struggle in school, it’s often about more than academics. Many face challenges like food insecurity, housing instability, or lack of access to after-school care — barriers that affect the whole family.
United Community’s Community Schools program helps remove those barriers by turning schools into hubs of opportunity. With a shared focus on academics, health, family engagement, and community partnerships, each site ensures students and families have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
How Our Community Schools Create Impact
Each Community School is open to all and designed to meet the unique needs of its neighborhood. By combining strong academics with wraparound services, they help create healthier, more connected communities.
Academic Support
Tutoring, mentoring, and extended-learning programs help students reach their full potential and stay on track academically.
Family Engagement
Workshops, events, and resource referrals build stronger family connections and empower parents to support their children’s learning journey.
Health & Wellness Services
Through partnerships with local agencies, students and families can access health screenings, nutrition programs, and counseling services right at school.
Wraparound Support
Each Community School connects families to United Community programs such as food assistance, housing support, job training, and early learning — ensuring holistic, long-term stability.
Our Community School Locations
We proudly partner with Fairfax County Public Schools to serve students and families at:
Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
- Coordinator: Marcell Gorham
- 571.255.8958
- 4015 Fielding St., Alexandria, VA 22309
Available Resources:
- Clothing & Hygiene Space (Women Giving Back + teacher donations)
- Weekend Snack Packs (Food for Others)
- Monthly Family Market (Capital Area Food Bank)
- Quarterly/Themed Community Events — Parent Coffees, PTO Meetings, “PINK Day”
- “Panther Wash” laundry initiative offering supplies and laundry cards to families in need
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) training sessions for staff
- School-wide health, enrichment, and wellness initiatives in collaboration with our Clinical Support Team
Walt Whitman Middle School
- Coordinator: Karen Cordova
- 703.660.2464
- 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306
Available Resources:
- Student Services Team: helps reduce chronic absenteeism with personalized student support
- Monthly Family Market (Capital Area Food Bank)
- Clothing Closet (donations from teachers and Women Giving Back)
- Weekend food bags (Food for Neighbors)
- Emergency pantry and gift cards for families in need
- Quarterly community events: Parent Coffees, Family Engagement Month, and Multicultural Family Night
New to United Community? 👉 Begin the Registration Process to Access Services
“I would recommend to everyone that the ELC is not just the normal childcare center, it is a place where they see the children as their own. A place where no child is treated differently because of skin color or economic status.”
-S. Arias
How You Can Help
Together, we can ensure that every student has access to the tools and support they need to succeed in school and beyond. You can help by:
- Donating to sustain tutoring, family markets, and community events
- Volunteering as a mentor, event helper, or pantry assistant
- Partnering with United Community to provide resources or sponsor school programs
FAQs
Supporting Students & Families
A Community School is a partnership between educators, families, and community organizations designed to meet academic, health, and social needs in one trusted space.
Students and families within participating Fairfax County schools can access support through their school’s Community School coordinator.
Programs vary by location but often include tutoring, enrichment activities, food and clothing resources, family workshops, and wellness services.
You can volunteer, donate, or become a community partner to help strengthen these programs.
Your Pathway to Learning and Opportunity Starts Here
Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream without barriers. We’re here to support your child’s learning and your family’s growth every step of the way.
