Red Bank’s community school marks one-year anniversary

Stephanie Hayes, center, jokes with students Rayne Heathington, left, and Serenity Smith during the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday. Stephanie Hayes, center, jokes with students Rayne Heathington, left, and Serenity Smith during the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

By Meghan Mangrum January 10, 2018 4 min read

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As Red Bank’s community school marks 1-year anniversary, Hamilton County Schools looks to expand model

Lavelle Coffey eats an afternoon snack provided during the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

Seth Lacy, left, and Kaleb Petty eat an afternoon snack provided during the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

Stephanie Hayes, center, helps students Sincere Thomas, left, and Brianna Ward pick out movies to watch during the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Students would typically be studying or doing homework during the program, but homework was light on their first day back to school from winter break. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

Tanner Jackson, left, Kelly Finnegan, center, and Jordan Austin sit at a table during the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

Students play Uno in the LEOS after-school program at the Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance. It celebrated its one-year anniversary Tuesday.

Students Jaelyn Cargle, right, and Sarah Beganovic set out balloons and a sign at a one-year anniversary celebration for Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance.

Students Sarah Beganovic, right, Izak Sullivan, center, and Samantha Johnson speak in a reading corner of the community school area at a one-year anniversary celebration for Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance.

A chalk sign that reads "Engage!" hangs in a multi-purpose room near a setup of balloons at a one-year anniversary celebration for Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance.

Hamilton County Board of Education board member Kathy Lennon listens to a speaker at a one-year anniversary celebration for Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance.

Students from the LEOS after-school program stand and listen to a spaker at a one-year anniversary celebration for Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance.

Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson listens to a speaker at a one-year anniversary celebration for Red Bank Community School at Red Bank High School on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The community school is a resource for both community members and students by offering services such as after-school programs and HiSET exam assistance.

On Tuesday, the Red Bank Community School – the first effort of its kind in Hamilton County – celebrated its one-year anniversary.

As the school celebrates achievements and impacts on the community, the district, under the leadership of Superintendent Bryan Johnson and Opportunity Zone chief Jill Levine, is exploring ways to bring Red Bank’s model to other high-needs schools in the district.

In partnership with Northside Neighborhood House, Red Bank’s community school aims to provide support centered around three pillars to students and community members – students, parents and “the Hub” – according to Principal Elaine Harper. The Hub, according to Harper, truly is the center of the school.

The partnership grew out of Northside Neighborhood House’s own initiative and the Chattanooga 2.0 movement, and it has manifested in after-school programs, academic support, parent classes and engagement, and more than a dozen community partnerships.

“Our role is to listen to the students and the parents and find resources that meet their needs,” said Rachel Gammon, executive director of Northside Neighborhood House.