Norfolk Public Schools identified four EELCs — Jaycox Elementary, PB Young Elementary, Ruffner School and Booker T. Washington High School — and described how each aligns with the district's four pillars of effective community schools.

District officials outlined Pillar 1 as extended and enrichment learning opportunities, noting EELCs will offer high-impact learning during extended school days. Pillar 2 focuses on family and community engagement and the districts' partnerships with volunteers, families and community organizations. Pillar 3 emphasizes distributed leadership and shared decision-making among teachers, staff, families and community stakeholders. Pillar 4 covers multi-tiered systems of support, including needs assessments, action planning and ongoing evaluation.

The announcement said EELCs are intended to serve as hubs for their communities, expand enrichment opportunities, and build collaborative leadership and support systems within the school and surrounding neighborhood.