First 10: Schools and Communities in Maine

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Welcome to First 10 in Maine! First 10 is a Community School model focused on supporting children pre-natal through age ten (first 10 years of children’s lives) and their families with the goal of supporting all children to learn and thrive. The Maine Department of Education is pleased to work with Education Development Center to implement the First 10 model in several schools and communities across the state. First 10 strives to coordinate efforts across initiatives to reduce fragmentation in the early childhood landscape and supports the mission and goals of Maine’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Plan.

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What is a First 10 Community School?
First 10 Community Schools are “partnerships of school districts, elementary schools, early childhood programs, and community partners that come together to work on improving teaching, learning, and care for young children and their families” (Jacobson, 2019).  These schools and community partners attend to whole child / whole student development by providing consistent quality of services to all children and families, aligning resources and supports across the first 10 years of children’s lives, and fostering smooth transitions at each stage of development. Families are essential partners in First 10 Schools and Communities, collaborating to nurture children’s development and well-being.” (Founded by David Jacobson at the Education Development Center (EDC). See first10.org for additional information)
Why are First 10 Community Schools important?
During the First 10 years of life, the development of a child’s brain architecture provides the lifelong foundation to all future learning, behavior, and health.  “The early years are the most active period for establishing neural connections, but new connections can form throughout life and unused connections continue to be pruned” (Harvard University, 2019).  Brain development builds over time, starting prenatally and continuing throughout childhood.  Children’s relationships and environments play a major role in the overall development of their brain architecture.  “Experiences that are individualized to the child’s unique personality style; that build on his or her own interests, capabilities, and initiative; and that shape the child’s self-awareness” (Harvard University, 2019) are essential to overall development.
What components are critical to First 10 Schools & Communities?
When forming and implementing a First 10 Community School, several components are critical to the design:
 
- Collaboration to improve teaching & learning
- Culturally responsive partnerships
- Strategic leadership, and
- Well-coordinated & comprehensive services

Thoughtfully implemented, these components support whole child/whole student development across domains during the early childhood and elementary years as children progress toward fifth grade. These components also work in a coordinated fashion to ensure that families, schools, and community services (such as childcare, health care, parent education, etc.) achieve the fullest potential of their efforts.

Maine's First 10 Community School Pilot

The Maine Department of Education launched the First 10 Schools and Community Pilot in 2023. The Pilot, funded through the Preschool Development Block Grant, supports seven First 10 Teams across the state.

The History of First 10 Community Schools in Maine

Maine began working with EDC in 2018 to implement what they then called Birth – Third Grade practices. Learn more about the 13 Schools and Communities and their efforts

History Home

The Whole Student & Community Collaborative

Learn how the Whole Student and Community Collaborative supports First 10 and other initiatives that support Maine’s Child Safety and Wellbeing Plan.

Whole Student Home

Forming a First 10 Community School

Thinking about forming a First 10 School and Community? We have gathered a set of resources to help new teams get off the ground.

Forming Home

Resources for First 10 Community Schools

Explore resources for information and ideas on how First 10 Schools and Communities can build strong family partnerships and build strong transition plans.

Resources Home