Small steps make meaningful change in transforming urban schools

Urban schools in the United States are generally viewed as having greater challenges than their suburban and rural counterparts. Most notably, they often have lower academic achievement and much of the educational reform movement has been aimed at urban schools in an attempt to close the achievement gap. Although much of the focus in recent years has been on the academic achievement gap, increasing focus is on mental health needs of students, especially urban students who often lack access to quality mental health care. Partnerships with outside agencies can provide urban schools with professionals to assist in addressing the mental health needs of students. A framework for developing sustainable community– and university–school partnerships, critical elements of systems level change to address achievement and behavioral gaps, and strategies for implementing school‐wide mental health supports are detailed with one inner city elementary school partnering with a local university.