To foster innovation and meet the changing needs of students, MAEF supports Mobile Area Public Schools, the development of full-service community schools, and the implementation and expansion of high performing schools of choice. Community schools take a whole-child approach to student success by providing academic support, social-emotional development, healthy living, safe and supportive environments, and life skills preparedness through in-house services provided at the school. Community schools help provide students with an academic foundation that meets the students’ individual needs by providing resources and partnerships that support parents, families, neighbors, and ultimately the community as a whole.

MAEF, as a convener, will engage area leaders, educators and students to learn together through content-specific forums, practice bold and innovative strategies through grant opportunities and build community knowledge and capacity to ensure ongoing success for every child in Mobile County as measured by performance data.

Full-service community schools are a school strategy for organizing resources centered around student success. Community schools take a whole-child approach to student success by providing academic support, social-emotional development, healthy living, safe and supportive environments, and life skills preparedness through in-house services provided at the school. Community schools help provide students with an academic foundation that meets the students’ individual needs by providing resources and partnerships that support parents, families, neighbors, and ultimately the community as a whole.

MAEF, through its Mobile Area Community Schools Taskforce, partners with Chickasaw City Schools and ACCEL Academy, the two highest-poverty local education agencies in Mobile County to develop a nationally recognized full-service community school model. This systemic approach places the school at the center of the community and integrates community partners into the school in the areas of health, mental health, mentoring, postsecondary training, and family and community engagement.  In 2023, MAEF was the only organization awarded a Full-Service Community Schools Grant in the State of Alabama by the U.S. Department of Education. This five-year grant supports more than 2,000 students, of whom 90% are economically disadvantaged, at Chickasaw Early Learning Center, Chickasaw Elementary, Chickasaw Middle/High School, Accel Preparatory Academy and Accel Day and Evening Academy.