Family of Schools Familty of Schools
In this section:
"The USC's community outreach programs have greatly enriched our curricular program here at St. Agnes Parish School. We certainly feel like part of the USC family. Thanks Trojans!"

Kevin Dempsey, principal, St. Agnes Parish School

About the Program

In 1994, USC partnered with five schools near the University Park Campus to launch the USC Family of Five Schools program. In 2001, three more schools were added to the family now known as the USC Family of Schools program (USC FOS). Then in 2007, two more schools were added. The program provides educational, cultural and development opportunities to more than 13,000 pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade neighborhood youth.

Who is Involved?
How does the Program Work?
What are the Results?

Who is Involved?
The USC Family of Schools program is comprised of individuals, institutions and organizations united by the conviction that each child is entitled to a quality education. Literally thousands of participants, including parents, legal guardians, neighbors, teachers and school administrators as well as USC students, faculty and staff contribute each year.

The USC Family of Schools includes:

  • 32nd Street/USC Magnet Center
  • Dr. Theodore T. Alexander Jr. Science Center School
  • James A. Foshay Learning Center
  • John W. Mack Elementary School
  • Lenicia B. Weemes Elementary School
  • Manual Arts High School
  • Norwood Street Elementary School
  • St. Agnes School
  • St. Vincent School
  • Vermont Avenue Elementary School

The program's public-private partnership also includes such community stakeholders as the Exposition Park museums, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission, the Los Angeles Police Department–Southwest Division and many other partner organizations.

How Does the Program Work?
The USC Family of Schools program leverages the community's institutions of higher learning, museums, libraries and recreation facilities to enhance children's lives.

Many of the 300+ USC community service programs target one or more of the participating schools. For example, USC Neighborhood Outreach (UNO) is a non-profit corporation that supports USC-community partnerships. From 1995–2006, the USC Family of Schools has received 188 USC Neighborhood Outreach grants totaling more than $4.8 million to fund a variety of programs. In 2006-2007, 25 children and community programs were funded by UNO grants for the USC Family of Schools.

In response to the needs expressed by the schools, the USC FOS partners also have implemented other projects, such as:

  • USC School of Social Work graduate student intern school-site teams
  • College motivation presentations
  • Parent workshops
  • Teacher recognition awards
  • Academic student competitions
  • Student higher education scholarships

What Are the Results?
The success of the program can be measured by the profound impact it has had on the community:

  • 2,300+ students receive tutoring and/or small-group instruction each year through the USC ReadersPlus program and the USC Joint Educational Project.
  • 150+ children attend hands-on enrichment workshops every year through the USC MESA Mission Science program.
  • 6,000+ youth have participated in the ECCLA Intersession Enrichment Program, the After School Enrichment Program and the After School Sports Connection.
  • 1,500+ children who attend a USC Family of Schools receive free dental screenings, dental care and dental education from USC School of Dentistry faculty and students every year.
  • Neighborhood families are engaged in more community activities as a result of their involvement in the Kid Watch program.
  • More than 9,000 students and their families are kept informed about University Park resources and cultural events as a result of receiving the bilingual "University Park Family" newspaper.

Individual participation and funding contributions have grown significantly:

  • In November 1994, 11 persons were involved in USC Family of Schools' committees. Now, more than 100 persons are involved.
  • The number of community organizations active in this public-private partnership has grown from 4 in 1994 to more than 50 in 2007.
  • In the 1995–96 year, the USC Family of Schools benefited from $247,153 in USC Neighborhood Outreach grants, other funds and in-kind services. Today, this figure has grown to more than $8 million.
  • Through 2006, $4.9 million alone has gone to fund 188 USC Neighborhood Outreach grants for programs at the USC Family of Schools.

Participating schools, children and educators have all benefited from being part of this extraordinary extended family:

  • Children report an increased awareness of the benefits of higher education on an evaluation questionnaire that was administered at the schools.
  • Two members of the USC Family of Schools—Norwood Street Elementary and Foshay Learning Center—have been designated the best among all California public schools with their selection as California Distinguished Schools.
  • In March 2000, Newsweek magazine named Foshay Learning Center one of the 100 best high schools in the nation.
  • In June 2003, Newsweek magazine again named Foshay Learning Center one of the 100 best high schools in the nation.