The Rochester Children’s Zone Concept, being launched by the Superintendent of Schools with support from key community leaders and modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone, has grown out of a pressing need to find new and effective ways to address the persistent problems of children living in extreme poverty and severely compromised social/family circumstances – a growing national urban education crisis.  The Rochester Children’s Zone Concept is designed to truly embrace the role of partners and community in helping improve student achievement and graduation rates, the revitalization of neighborhoods and communities, and the well-being of families.  The rationale for this coordinated and targeted approach is to more effectively deliver integrated services that improve the health, wellness, education, living conditions, and livelihoods of children and families in the Northeast section of the City.  This effort targets six of Rochester’s highest need elementary schools and one high school and represents 4300 students or 12 percent of the District’s student population.