Covington Community Schools

PRICHARD COMMITTEE INITIATIVE

In February 2024, the school district was awarded a five-year grant from The Prichard Committee to transform Holmes Middle School and Holmes High School into vibrant community hubs, offering a wide range of services and activities beyond traditional learning.

According to the Learning Policy Institute, creating “community schools” is an evidence-based strategy to advance equity and reduce barriers to learning by providing the services needed to support student and family well-being. Through trusting relationships and well-coordinated supports, community schools ensure that students receive the health, social service, and learning opportunities they need to be successful.

FOCUS AREAS

Through a series of community meetings, Covington Schools has identified key focus areas for each school for the 2024-25 academic year, as well as tracking components to ensure the program's success. Additional focus areas may be added each year of the grant cycle.

Holmes Middle School Focus Areas

Organizing culturally diverse family nights that celebrate the rich traditions of our community;
Implementing a family engagement incentive program to encourage increased family participation in school activities;
Providing two hours per week of mental health services for students without insurance;
Assisting new students with their acclimation by offering student-led tours and a $20 bookstore voucher for school-related items and/or swag;
Utilizing the makerspace to foster entrepreneurship skills among students;
Coordinating afterschool trips to local businesses, allowing students to explore potential career paths; and
Contributing to the development of a Kentucky Community Schools team to evaluate and ensure the program’s goals are being met throughout the year.

Holmes High School Focus Areas

Expanding family engagement and learning nights to promote campus involvement and celebrate student success;
Launching a vaping cessation program to address the increasing prevalence of vaping within our community;
Offering bi-monthly prenatal and parenting classes to any student with a child;
Assisting new students with their acclimation by providing student-led tours and a $20 bookstore voucher for school-related items and/or swag;
Organizing additional college and career tours to broaden students' perspectives on post-secondary opportunities;
Distributing College Success Kits to students transitioning directly to the workforce or college, providing essential items for their new phase in life; and
Contributing to the development of a Kentucky Community Schools team to evaluate and ensure the program’s goals are being met throughout the year.

MINI-GRANTS

Covington Independent Public Schools invites your school or community group to apply for a Covington Community Schools mini-grant. Grants funds are made possible through the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. Submissions are open from September 1 to March 15 each academic year beginning in 25/26.

Mini-grants for the Covington Community Schools will be awarded for up to $500, and programs/projects must take place between September 15 and March 31.

Projects must primarily impact students at Holmes Middle School and/or Holmes High School.

The funding focus may change each academic year based on feedback from Community Schools forums. Proposals during the 25/26 academic year should explicitly address mental health or career exploration/job readiness.

Additional information can be found in the Mini-Grant Criteria & Guidelines below.