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Community School

Welcome to the Bobcat Community Schools Program 

At Sonia Sotomayor Middle School, we believe that when students, families, and communities thrive together, great things happen. As part of the PGCPS Community Schools Initiative, we are dedicated to removing barriers and creating opportunities by connecting our Bobcat families with essential resources and services.

Our Mission

 The PGCPS Community Schools Initiative serves as a national blueprint for: Providing integrated support services to students and families Promoting academic success through equitable resources Enhancing economic and social empowerment for the community Through partnerships with local organizations and businesses, we strive to meet the needs of our school community beyond the classroom. 

Available Services and Support

  • Student and Family Supports - Access to counseling, mentoring, and social services
  • Food assistance - Referrals to local food distributions and meal distribution programs
  • Workforce Development - Career readiness and job training for parents and students 
  • Academic and Enrichment Programs - After-school programs and academic support
  • Health and Wellness Supports - Referrals to health and wellness services

The strength of our Community Schools program lies in collaboration. We welcome support from parents, businesses, faith-based groups, and local organizations. Let's work together to lift up our students and families!

Learn more about the Prince George's County Public Schools Community Schools Initiative

Katia Castillo

Community School Coordinator
Phone: 301-850-6404 Ext 76450

About the Community School Assets and Needs Assessment Infographic

The Community School Assets and Needs Assessment Infographic provides an overview of the Assets and Needs Assessment process, findings, and recommended action steps. This infographic clarifies how our data and stakeholder feedback will guide future decisions and actions.

Community School Assets and Needs Assessment Infographics Presentation

Sonia Sotomayor Middle School Demographics and Progress Data

Community School Demographics and Progress Data for Sonia Sotomayor

School Demographics

Enrollment 1077 students

93.5% Hispanic
6.5% African-American

Students by the Numbers

85.8% FARMs/Economically Disadvantaged
57.9% Multilingual Learners
11.6% Students with Disabilities

Progress Data

93.2% Attendance Rate
38% Student Growth in Math
24% Student Growth in English Language Arts
9.5% English Learners Making Progress Towards Learning English

Current Partners Engage with the Community

10 Partners and Growing
  • Project Wellness
  • Employ PG
  • Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter - Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. 
  • Latin American Youth Center

Who participated in our Assets and Needs Assessment?

498-students-188-families-108-staff-2-community-members-on-colorful-hexagons

  • 498 Students
  • 188 Families
  • 108 Staff Memebers
  • 2 Community Members

What did we learn?

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Feedback from Students
  • Culture: Students reported a positive and inclusive school climate. Many students feel they can be honest with adults and see their culture reflected at school.
  • Relationships: Many students feel they can be honest with adults at school.  
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Feedback from Families
  • Culture: Families are actively engaged in school and community events.
  • Communication: Families prefer direct communication and feel academic info is accessible and clearly shared in their language.  

 

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Feedback from Staff Members
  • Culture:  Staff reported a positive and inclusive school climate
  • Relationships: Staff report strong participation in school and community events  

 

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Feedback from Community Members
  • Communication: Reported that the school communicates clearly and keeps them engaged in supporting students.
  • Well-Being: Reported that the school prioritizes student well-being through strong support programs and caring staff  

 Priorities and Opportunities

Rigorous, Community-Connected Classroom Instruction and Expanded, Enriched Learning Opportunities  
  • Integrate community resources and partnerships into lesson planning.
  • Use culturally responsive teaching practices that reflect students’ backgrounds.
  • Offer after-school enrichment programs focused on arts, STEM, and languages.
Collaborative Leadership, Shared Power, and Voice  
  • Develop leadership capacity among teachers, students, and families.
  • Encourage open communication and feedback loops.
  • Celebrate and amplify voices from underrepresented groups, such as students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
Integrated Systems of Support  
  • Ensure accessibility of support services to all students and families.
  • Coordinate with community agencies for wraparound services.
  • Build multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to address diverse needs, such as PBIS.
Culture of Belonging, Safety, and Care  
  • Address bullying, discrimination, and bias proactively.
  • Support staff and student well-being and mental health.
  • Support staff and student well-being and mental health.
Powerful Student and Family Engagement  
  • Build authentic partnerships between families, students, and school staff.
  • Involve families and students in planning, decision-making, and advocacy.
  • Co-design programs with families and students to reflect their priorities.