ADDRESSING THE GAP: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ON SCHOOL-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AMONG MULTIGRADE SCHOOLS

School-community partnerships play a pivotal role in enhancing the educational experiences of learners, especially in multigrade school settings where resources are limited, and challenges are more complex. This qualitative research aimed to explore the lived experiences of school administrators in initiating, managing, and sustaining partnerships with the community. Specifically, the study focused on the personal and professional lessons administrators gained, the perceived impacts on students and school culture, the perceived sustainability of the partnerships, and their advice to fellow school leaders. Using a phenomenological approach, data were gathered through in-depth interviews with school heads from rural multigrade schools and analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that administrators experienced personal growth in patience, empathy, and adaptability, alongside professional development in communication, leadership, and collaboration. Partnerships led to increased student attendance, improved behavior, and the creation of a more inclusive and welcoming school environment. Furthermore, sustaining these partnerships depended on consistent stakeholder engagement, transparent communication, and formal recognition of community involvement. Administrators advised their peers to foster trust by actively listening, involving stakeholders in planning and decision-making, and recognizing even the smallest contributions. The study concluded that school-community partnerships are instrumental in addressing the unique challenges of multigrade education and can be sustained through sincerity, consistency, and mutual respect. Keywords: Educational Administration, Multigrade Schools, School-Community Partnerships, Lived Experiences, Educational Leadership, Challenges, Coping Mechanism, Insights, Phenomenological