Our partnership with an urban school district to build out a community school centered on collaboration with health care organizations. We increased access to multiple services within the neighborhood and created millions of dollars of extra funding annually.
The development of the Rankin Community Center demonstrates the influential impact of a holistic community school partnership model.
On October 12, 2023, the Rankin Community Center officially opened its doors to the community. Here, K-12 schools, health care providers, and education partners created millions of dollars in value by jointly operating a one-stop-shop for all health and education needs in Rankin, PA
Background
In February 2023, HEA had its first superintendent meeting in Pittsburgh, PA at the Woodland Hills School (K-12) where 90% of students are socioeconomically underserved and 28% have significant special needs. Quickly confirming HEA’s savings estimate of $3.2 million dollars annually to the school from increased student retention as well as reduced labor costs and placements in approved private schools, the community school partnership was unanimously approved by the school board.
The Goal
The goal was to create a holistic community school where schools and health care organizations partner to jointly run a school that acts as a “one-stop-shop” for health and education needs as well as a broader community center. This gives parents the benefits of not having to miss work to attend disjointed appointments, and students do not miss valuable school time. While school focus their personnel on instruction, pedagogy, and social-emotional learning, the healthcare partner manages health and social services as well as associated operations including billing and staffing of providers including social work, psychologists, mental health counselors, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and/or applied behavioral analysis.
Our Financial Strategy
Although schools do not have contracts with private health insurance companies to get reimbursed, hospital systems and healthcare organizations do. Therefore, there are ample opportunities for partnerships that HEA is always excited to help schools and healthcare partners develop.
The Outcomes
As of December 2023, the school has actualized $3.1 million dollars in savings of which it has shared $930,000 with healthcare partners per public school board meeting reports. Up to $2,000,000 in savings are possible in the remainder of the year. Per state reports, students have significantly exceeded expectations for test scores in Math and English and disruptive behaviors are down by 20 to 29%.
Rankin Community Center officially opens!
$1,000,000
tax cut, the first in the school district’s history
$800,000
out of above increase shared with healthcare providers
$3,100,000
in revenue increases & cost savings to school district YTD
x
new students enrolled, largest in recent history
20 – 29%
year-over-year reduction in disruptive behaviors & discipline incidents
point increase language art scores for special needs students
“This community center is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about nurturing our future. Our teens, who were yearning for guidance and purpose, now have a place for programming that can lead them away from violence and towards a brighter future. Let it be known that this center is more than just a building; it’s a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together as a community. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and a shared vision for a better future. It’s a promise that our young people will have opportunities and support to reach their full potential.”
— Mayor of Rankin, Pennsylvania
Health and Education Alliance 