The Power of Partnerships: Four examples of school districts successfully partnering with local community organizations and businesses

Across the country, schools are partnering with local community organizations and businesses to help create more successful communities with thriving workforces. When these partnerships work well, businesses can help schools create the pipeline of skilled employees that they will need in their future and businesses can help schools ensure that students graduate both college and career ready.

Here are some examples of successful partnerships between school districts, community organizations and businesses:

• Ohio’s First Manufacturing-related STEM Early College High School: When Marysville Exempted Village School District started down the path of starting an early college high school, they looked to their community for partners. Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., was a perfect match. By partnering with Honda, Marysville could ensure their students had access to hands-on real-world learning opportunities. Learn more about this partnership with Marysville Early College High School.
• Preparing Students for Local and Global Job Market: Students in Marion, Ohio, expressed interest in having access to education that lined up with career pathways. To make those pathways successful, school leaders worked with local businesses, expanding opportunities for students and helping create future employees for the businesses. Learn more about the essential role of partnerships in creating career pathways in Marion.
• Local Business Supporting Interest-Based Academies: Reynoldsburg high school is broken up into four interest-based academies that focus on: health sciences and human services; the arts; business, education, leadership and law; or STEM fields. Each academy partners with local business and organizations that strengthen the academic offerings for their students. By partnering with community organizations, Reynoldsburg City Schools have been able to offer an educational experience to their students that is both more rich and more tied to community economic growth. Learn more about how Reynoldsburg City School approached partnerships.
• Urban Farming and Standards-Driven Learning Experiences: The partnership between Jones Valley Teaching Farm and Birmingham City Schools has become a model for others locally, throughout the state and at the national level. In addition to learning about the science of plants and farming, students are gaining entrepreneurial skills in their Farmers Market Club. Learn more about how Birmingham City Schools is partnering with their community.

Get Started on a Success School – Community – Business Partnership

Want some tips on creating successful partnerships between schools, community organizations and businesses? Deborah Howard shares six lessons she’s learned while working with our schools and their partners.