Investing in Students and Strengthening Families: CIS and Montgomery Public Schools in Action

Montgomery Public Schools joined the Communities In Schools® (CIS ®) Network as a Licensed Partner during the 2023-24 school year to help students stay in school and build the foundation for lifelong success.

Today, CIS serves 15 schools across Montgomery, reaching more than 8,700 students with academic and behavioral supports, as well as college and career readiness. Across these schools, the impact of CIS comes to life in different ways. At Southlawn Middle School, that impact starts with a simple but urgent goal: helping students show up. There, CIS Site Coordinator Stacey Rodriguez is tackling one of the district’s toughest challenges — chronic absenteeism.

The biggest hurdle for students is simply getting through the front door. I've seen bright, capable students miss days at a time, and they weren't just missing lessons — they were losing their connection with the school community.

– Stacey Rodriguez, Site Coordinator, Southlawn Middle School

Behind every absence, Stacey found a deeper story: a family crisis, a lack of clean clothes, or a belief that no one would notice if they didn't show up. That’s where CIS steps in to rewrite the narrative.

As a CIS site coordinator, Stacey has the dedicated time that teachers and principals often don't. She spends months building trust with students and families to understand their needs and remove barriers to attendance and learning.

“I became the person who educated not only students but families as well on why middle school attendance is the gateway to high school graduation,” Stacey said. “If we don't teach a middle schooler the importance of showing up now, we lose them by high school.”

Through CIS, Stacey supports students with everything from basic needs to emotional encouragement, ensuring that what happens outside of school doesn't stop them from learning inside it. “The impact started small but grew quickly,” she said. “Students at Southlawn now know there is a consistent adult whose sole mission is to see them succeed.”

Once a site coordinator becomes part of the school’s culture, students begin seeking them out. “They know that if they show up, there is support for their struggles and a reward for their triumphs,” Stacey explained.

We’ve turned the school into a place where students feel seen. By rewarding their presence and supporting their needs, we’ve shifted the mindset from ‘I have to go to school’ to ‘I belong at school.’

The partnership between Montgomery Public Schools and CIS goes beyond attendance numbers — it creates networks of support that strengthen entire families. “We’re showing students that their community won’t let them slip through the cracks,” Stacy said. “This partnership ensures that when a teacher stands up to teach, the seats are filled with students who are ready and able to learn.”

The Team Supporting Montgomery’s Students

The collaboration between Montgomery Public Schools and CIS demonstrates what’s possible when a community invests in relationships as much as academics. With dedicated site coordinators like Stacey leading the way, students aren’t just showing up — they're showing what they can achieve when surrounded by people who believe in their potential.

Learn more about licensed partners

Get involved! Find your local CIS organization