The concept of the school as community encompasses two distinct relationships: the school/extended community and the internal school community. As social needs and conditions change, so does the school role in the community. Topics covered in this book include benefits of collaboration between the external community and the school, the creation of internal school community, the role of the school board, and leadership. As a new source of social capital, the school as community offers mutual benefits: an enriched educational system, a coordinated and more efficient social support system, and a community strengthened through collaboration and cooperation. As a model of collective action, the school as community serves as a catalyst for changes at the state and national levels. Fifteen recommendations and two appendices of sample policies are included. (40 references) (LMI)