A Chance Encounter Changed Leanna's Life
Learn how CIS changed Leanna’s path, fueling her journey to leadership and community impact.
Read more of A Chance Encounter Changed Leanna's Life
Expand What Works
All Students Deserve Educations That Lead to Successful Futures
At Communities In Schools, we believe that every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, should have what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond. Last year, CIS connected 2 million students to essential supports and resources that helped them show up to school and achieve success. CIS also provides students with post-graduation planning support to ensure that students are prepared for life after graduation. Read the stories below to learn more.
Our Work in Action
Read about how CIS supports students to be successful in school and beyond with post-graduation planning and alumni support.
Innovative Engagement: The Story of Lebanon High's Career Day Success
CIS of Pennsylvania site coordinator Jeffrey Suarez identified the need for post-graduation planning programs and organized a career day that was a hit. Learn about the transformative power of community engagement and support programs in shaping student outcomes.
Read more of Innovative Engagement: The Story of Lebanon High's Career Day Success
Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Martinez
Read a Q&A with Jessica Martinez, a financial analyst and CIS of Atlanta alumna.
Read more of Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Martinez
Supporting Student Success Beyond the Classroom
Discover how CIS provides high school students with tailored guidance and resources to achieve their aspirations beyond graduation. Whether they choose college, trade school, or the workforce, CIS is committed to helping empower students to succeed.
Read more of Supporting Student Success Beyond the Classroom
Serenity: Reflecting on Life After Graduation
“[Mr. Primer] was definitely the role model that I needed at the time to help me and guide me onto a positive path for myself... CIS has definitely been able to prepare me in ways I don't think I would have been prepared had I not been in CIS.” – Serenity
Read more of Serenity: Reflecting on Life After Graduation
Communities In Schools Celebrates the Class of 2024
Since May, CIS has celebrated the remarkable achievements of students ready to embark on new adventures—whether that means entering the workforce, serving in the military, or pursuing higher education.
Read more of Communities In Schools Celebrates the Class of 2024
Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP): Putting Our Shared Principles into Practice in CIS Organizations
ELDP is a year-long immersive experience designed to prepare a cohort of CIS leaders for the complexity, uncertainty, and challenges nonprofit organizations regularly face. Participants gather in person multiple times during the year and meet virtually for learning, practice, reflection, and discussion with peers from around the CIS network. The program has been intentionally developed to reflect our shared principles through delivering relevant information—adaptive leadership, managing change, mobilizing others to action—and creating a safe space for relationship-building and dialogue. This combination of content and connection is critical to the success of the program and models how our shared principles can be put into action as leaders take both the experience and the learning back to their own organizations.
Read more of Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP): Putting Our Shared Principles into Practice in CIS Organizations
When Families Are Equipped, Students Thrive: Launching the Parent Engagement Program
Communities In Schools is partnering with Parents for Public Schools to bring a research-based curriculum to affiliates across the country, a living example of what it means to put our shared principles to work.
Read more of When Families Are Equipped, Students Thrive: Launching the Parent Engagement Program
Milestone Moment: CIS-AH Now Serves 115 Schools Across the Appalachian Highlands
When Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands (CIS-AH) opened its doors in 2012, it served just two schools in Bristol, Virginia. Today, it proudly stands beside more than 115 schools across 17 districts in Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Read more of Milestone Moment: CIS-AH Now Serves 115 Schools Across the Appalachian Highlands
Together in Education: Harris Teeter and Communities In Schools Raise 300K for Students Across the Southeast
The "Together in Education" Round Up Campaign, which ran from July 30 through October 28, 2025, channeled those spare cents into real support through Communities In Schools (CIS), the nation's leading provider of K–12 school-based integrated student supports. Funds also benefited Classroom Central, The Salvation Army, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation, reaching CIS National and 19 affiliates across the Southeast region.
Read more of Together in Education: Harris Teeter and Communities In Schools Raise 300K for Students Across the Southeast
Kharma is Committed to Helping Others
Kharma grew into a confident leader through CIS and plans to pursue a career in psychology to help others.
Read more of Kharma is Committed to Helping Others
How CIS Helped Eliza Find Herself
With CIS support, Eliza found her voice, built confidence, and chose a path true to herself.
Read more of How CIS Helped Eliza Find Herself
How Jose Found His Confidence
Learn how CIS helped Jose grow into a confident student and leader.
Read more of How Jose Found His Confidence
Morgan is Finishing Strong with CIS
With CIS support, Morgan overcame challenges, stayed present, and is now on track to graduate.
Read more of Morgan is Finishing Strong with CIS
How CIS Helped Shape Leland's Future
Written in his own words, Leland found support through CIS and will pursue his dreams at SNU.
Read more of How CIS Helped Shape Leland's Future
Joab Found Hope Through CIS
Learn how CIS helped Joab believe in himself and keep going.
Read more of Joab Found Hope Through CIS
Bringing the Band Back Together: Communities In Schools Legacy Event in Partnership with Creative Artists Agency
Wednesday, February 18, marked an unforgettable evening at Creative Artists Agency's (CAA) offices in Los Angeles. Communities In Schools (CIS), the nation’s leading provider in integrated student supports, gathered its community — educators, alumni, advocates, board members, funders, and champions — to celebrate five decades of impact and to look ahead toward the next 50 years with renewed commitment and purpose.
Read more of Bringing the Band Back Together: Communities In Schools Legacy Event in Partnership with Creative Artists Agency
Kiana's Balancing Act
With support from CIS, Kiana overcame the challenges of young parenthood and is now preparing for college.
Read more of Kiana's Balancing Act
Investing in Students and Strengthening Families: CIS and Montgomery Public Schools in Action
Learn about our licensed partnership with Montgomery Public Schools and dive into the impact happening at Southlawn Middle School.
Read more of Investing in Students and Strengthening Families: CIS and Montgomery Public Schools in Action
The CIS Effect Takes on Capitol Hill
For three days in early March, more than 20 leaders from the Communities In Schools (CIS) network converged on Washington, D.C., for the organization's annual Capitol Hill Days. From March 2–4, affiliate leaders walked the halls of Congress with a powerful message: integrated student supports work—and the evidence now proves it.
Read more of The CIS Effect Takes on Capitol Hill
Showing Up In Times of Uncertainty: CIS Launches Emergency Fund to Support Students and Families
Last fall, as the federal shutdown disrupted essential services and paychecks, Communities In Schools responded with urgency and compassion.
Read more of Showing Up In Times of Uncertainty: CIS Launches Emergency Fund to Support Students and Families
Pledge to Be Present: Inspiring Students to Show Up This School Year
When Communities In Schools launched the Being Present Matters Campaign in 2024, the goal was clear: raise awareness about chronic absenteeism and remind students, families, and communities why showing up to school matters. Now, in the campaign's second year, CIS has taken that message even further with the Pledge to Be Present initiative—a creative, high-impact way to engage students and build a culture of accountability around school attendance.
Read more of Pledge to Be Present: Inspiring Students to Show Up This School Year
A Day in the Life of a CIS Site Coordinator: Shelby Clements
At Communities In Schools, our Site Coordinators are on the front lines every day, helping students navigate challenges, build skills, and thrive in school. For Shelby Clements, a Site Coordinator at CIS of the Dallas Region, every day is a balance of flexibility, support, and relationship-building.
Read more of A Day in the Life of a CIS Site Coordinator: Shelby Clements
How Communities In Schools Partners with Schools to Support Students
At Communities In Schools, student success is built on strong, intentional partnerships. CIS Site Coordinators are embedded on school campuses, working alongside teachers, administrators, and staff to remove barriers to learning and ensure students receive the support they need—when they need it.
Read more of How Communities In Schools Partners with Schools to Support StudentsLearn How We Show Up for Students and Alumni
Esteban on Why Being Present Matters
“If it wasn’t for CIS, I would not be walking that stage,” Esteban, 18, admitted. “School was never really my thing.”
Like many students, Esteban’s struggles extended beyond the classroom.
That’s when CIS Site Coordinator Marco stepped in. Recognizing the impact of external factors on Esteban's academic performance, Marco had a heart-to-heart conversation with him, offering support and empathy.
