In 2017, Crystal Lake Elementary was selected to host the first community partnership school program in Polk County. Following a model set by the University of Central Florida, Crystal Lake Elementary serves as more than a place for academics. The school also offers students, their families and the surrounding neighborhood access to a variety of education, healthcare and social service resources.
What is a Community Partnership School?
Empowering students to succeed in school and life
Students attending Title I schools in low-income communities often struggle to focus on their education because of the many complex challenges they face daily. Often, students in these schools struggle with:
- Poverty
- Lack of access to adequate health care
- Exposure to violence and other crime
- Exposure to drugs
- Hunger
- Abuse or neglect
Community Partnership Schools address students’ holistic needs, recognizing their unique challenges – and opportunities. Many schools offer:
- On-site access to health and wellness services
- After-school activities
- Parent Resource Centers
- On-site food pantries
- Counseling
- Leadership opportunities
- Cultural enrichment activities
No two Community Partnership Schools are exactly alike – each centers on unique community needs to allow students to focus on their education and future success. But all share a similar model – one with proven methods for accountability and outcomes.
What makes Community Partnership Schools unique?
- Multiple Core Partners & Shared Governance
- Long-term partnership – 25 Years MOUs
- Certification Process
- Community Voice
- Local Commitment – 25% Local Match
Foundational Principles:
- Long-Term Commitment to Partnership
- Education First
- Culture of “Yes”
- “One” Team
- Needs-Driven
Each Community Partnership School focuses on four pillars:
- Extended Learning
- Student Supports
- Family & Community Engagement
- Collaborative Leadership
Community Partnership Schools address students’ holistic needs, recognizing their unique challenges – and opportunities. Many schools offer:
- On-site access to health and wellness services
- After-school activities
- Parent Resource Centers
- On-site food pantries
- Counseling
- Leadership opportunities
- Cultural enrichment activities
Our Core Partners
A partnership among Central Florida Health Care, Heartland for Children, Polk County Public Schools, Southeastern University, & United Way of Central Florida brought the successful Community Partnership School model to Crystal Lake Elementary in Lakeland, FL in time for the 2018/19 school year. The four or more partners of Community Partnership Schools form a collaborative infrastructure to eliminate barriers and bridge a foundation for success.
Meet our Director - Andrea Hagan
Andrea Hagan is a native of Pennsylvania and moved to Florida in 1986. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Elementary Education from Southeastern University. She has over 30 years of combined experience in social services, serving children and families in both the areas of nonprofit faith based and community based care in Central Florida. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Hagan has worked in the areas of emergency shelter care, maternity care, foster care, adoption, and prevention. She joined Heartland for Children in June of 2010 as a Prevention Specialist and currently serves as the Director of Community Partnership Schools at Crystal Lake Elementary School, the very first Community Partnership School in Polk County. Ms. Hagan has a passion for serving others and building strong families and community.
Desk: 863-499-2966 x 433 | Mobile: 863-221-6844
Email: ahagan@heartlandforchildren.org | andrea.hagan@polk-fl.net
Certification
In October of 2022, Crystal Lake Elementary School became the first UCF-Certified Community Partnership School in Polk County.
Why certification?
- Ensures consistent level of quality
- Expands knowledgebase
- Tool for improving process and potential for positive impact
Community Partnership School Certification Standards
Standard 1 Partnership
Standard 2 Collaborative Leadership, Governance, and Structure
Standard 3 Foundational Principles
Standard 4 Staffing
Standard 5 Integrated Community Partnership School Framework
Standard 6 Expanded Learning Opportunities
Standard 7 Comprehensive Wellness Services
Standard 8 Family and Community Engagement
Standard 9 Volunteering
Standard 10 University/College Assistance
Standard 11 Evaluation
Standard 12 Sustainability
Timeline
- Fall 2016 Polk Vision assembled an Exploring Community Schools Team
- July 2017 Crystal Lake Elementary chosen to pilot the first Community Partnership School in Polk County
- 2017-2018 Core Partners Commitment and Director hired
- 2018-2019 First Year of Implementation of the CPS Model
- 2021-2022 Certification Readiness Assessment
- October 14, 2022 Crystal Lake Elementary, A Community Partnership School became a UCF Certified Community Partnership School
CPS in the News
- ARTICLE Palm Beach Post: "Community partnership schools help economic development"
- ARTICLE Lakeland Ledger: "Community school initiative moving ahead in Polk"
- ARTICLE Lakeland Ledger: "Crystal Lake Elem to become community school in Polk pilot program"
- ARTICLE Lakeland Ledger: "Hagan to oversee community partnership school"
- STORY Bay News 9: "Crystal Lake Elem opening as 1st community partnership school in Polk"
- STORY Crystal Lake Elementary Reaches Important Milestone; Becomes UCF-Certified Community Partnership School
Crystal Lake Elementary opening as the 1st community partnership school in PolkCrystal Lake Elementary opening as the 1st community partnership school in Polk
Business & Community Partners
AmVets Ladies Auxiliary
Big Brothers Bid Sisters of Tampa Bay
Camp Fire Sunshine Central Florida
Children’s Home Society of Florida
Circle B Bar Preserve
Creative Imaging Technology
Cub Scouts
EMERGE Lakeland
Feeding Tampa Bay – Nutrition Classes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Florida Dance Theatre
Fusion Logistics, Inc.
Gapway Baptist Church
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
Harvest Meat Market
InnerAct Alliance
Keller Williams
Kids Club – Circle J Camp
kidsPACK
Kiwanis K-Kids Club
Lakeland Kiwanis
Lakeland Rotary
Lakeland Sunrise Rotary Club
Learning Resource Center – Camp Ready!
Pepsi Company
Personal Finance Center of Polk County
Polk Education Foundation – AmeriCorps
Polk Vision
Ruthven
Saddle Creek Logistics
SALT: Sensory Academy of Learning & Technology
TRUIST
United Way of Central Florida – ReadingPals
HUB Information and Resources
Stay up-to-date with what's going on a Crystal Lake Elementary, A Community Partnership School.
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Recognition for Grants & Sponsors
In 2019, Heartland for Children was awarded $12,339.00 through Impact Polk towards the Community Partnership School Expanded Learning. The grant was made possible by the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation.
In 2023 Heartland for Children was awarded $10,000 through Impact Polk within the GiveWell Community Foundation.
In 2023 Shoes That Fit in partnership with GEICO provided a brand new pair of Nike branded sneakers to every student at an in-kind value of $12,720.00.