A community school is more than a traditional school. It is a set of deliberately formed partnerships that provide the supports and opportunities that are important to students, families, and the surrounding community. Community partners can include health and social service agencies, family support groups, institutions of higher education, youth development organizations, government, community groups, or others--all organized around a common goal: to create the conditions necessary for all children to learn at their best. This article presents the conditions that must be met for all children to succeed--particularly the most disadvantaged. It discusses major advantages of community schools, key organization and management functions in a community school strategy, and the federal role in community schools. The article stresses that moving the community school agenda forward requires leadership with a clear vision, a focus on results, and the community capacity to bring schools to life and sustain them. (Contains 6 notes.)