Schools as Center of Community

Across the country, public schools are becoming the modern-day equivalent of the village green, where new activities and opportunities for students, adults and community members of all ages are offered long after the last bell has rung. These "schools that never sleep" have the potential to inspire community members to provide more financial support to their local schools and inspire students with exciting learning opportunities.

KnowledgeWorks Foundation is leading this effort by encouraging Ohioans, and others across the nation, to redesign schools around the personality and aspirations of their communities.

Our Schools as Centers of Community initiative is inspiring the public to become engaged in their local schools, and encouraging the school district and the community to build partnerships to provide new and exciting ways to utilize what was formerly known as just "the local school."

Recognizing Excellence in School Design

In 2004, KnowledgeWorks Foundation launched the Richard Riley Award – Schools as Centers of Community: A National Search for Excellence to showcase exceptional school designs that make the schools an integral part of their community. This initiative was part of an effort to support school districts and communities that make school facilities more conducive to learning, and more accessible to the entire community. Every fall one excellent school is selected to be awarded a grand prize.