How CIS Helped Shape Leland's Future
Known for his perseverance and positive spirit, Leland has a bright future ahead of him.
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Connecting Students, Schools, and Communities
We bring the power of caring adults and much-needed resources into schools—directly to the students who need them most. This is what Communities In Schools® (CIS®) is built for. We make those connections.
When CIS is present inside schools, we work with other support staff to bring in community resources and partners to help meet the needs of the school and of students and families. We do this through the work of our site coordinators, who have access to local resources and partners to address local needs. We take this on so school administrators can focus on running the school and teachers can focus on teaching. Contact us to learn more.
Paths to Partnership
13.9 million kids
aren't making it to class.
But when CIS is present, 99% of our students show up prepared and ready to learn.
*Results are from the 2023-2024 school year.
Transforming Schools and Communities
We know that the CIS model works because it’s backed by rigorous and independent evaluations. But don’t just take our word for it. Watch this video to hear from the school and district partners who know us best.
Our Work in Action
Bringing the Band Back Together: Communities In Schools Legacy Event in Partnership with Creative Arts 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Driven to Give: CIS Network Delivers Warmth and Essential Support This Holiday Season
This holiday season, Communities In Schools affiliates and licensed partners across the country are demonstrating what it means to be driven to give. As the need for shoes, clothing, food and essential items grows (according to national reports and confirmed by those in the communities we serve) our network is stepping up with unwavering generosity, hosting drives and changing lives.
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Ready, Set, Learn Back-to-School Tour Full of Surprises, Supplies and Memorable Moments
With stops in Houston, Nashville, Jacksonville and Charlotte, the “Ready, Set, Learn” Back-to-School Tour aimed to remove barriers to learning, address chronic absenteeism and ensure students and families started the school year with the resources they needed.
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CIS of Greater Tarrant County Is Present for More Students and Families with New Center for Student Support
Communities In Schools of Greater Tarrant County recently celebrated the opening of its new Center for Student Support. A longtime dream of the organization, the new center is expected to transform the community and improve the lives of students and families, offering various resources and services to the community, including a training center, a mental health counseling center, and a fresh food pantry.
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Investing in Back-to-School Readiness at All Levels
The true highlight of the back-to-school season at CIS of Cape Fear is their annual Stuff the Bus event, the region’s oldest and largest school supply drive. In its 25th year, the event has evolved into a community engagement opportunity, inviting local businesses, corporations, civic organizations, and churches to collect essential back-to-school items for students in public schools across New Hanover and Pender counties.
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Christian: CIS Impact Beyond the Classroom
Christian, a first-year student at Elon University, recently shared his powerful story and the role that Communities In Schools of Chatham County (CISCC) has played in his journey.
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End-of-Year Celebrations Showcase Student Success and Impactful Partnerships
From California and Arkansas to Iowa and Illinois, Communities In Schools licensed partnerships are grounded in a belief that every child, regardless of zip code, has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond.
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Brianna: Finding Joy and Liberty
Every Communities In Schools (CIS) graduate reflects the mission and legacy of CIS. Brianna Gaetz, a member of the CIS Class of 2015 and a Texas native, is one such alumna. Today, she serves as an Associate of Organizational Health & Performance at the CIS National Office. Her remarkable story is a reminder of why a caring adult is critical to student success.
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Celebrating Graduates and Building Community
Cecilia Lee, Principal of Alumni Relations at CIS National, reflects on the graduations and alumni induction events she attended across the country, celebrating milestones and the power of showing up.
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Naomi: Support That Makes a Difference
Naomi, a high school senior, found the support she needed through her Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan Site Coordinator Monica Rau. From organizing her schedule and helping her manage stress, to preparing for her driver’s permit with mock tests and paperwork, Monica was by Naomi’s side every step of the way.
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Roman: On the Importance of Showing Up
I am a graduating senior of 2025, and very proud to be one. Showing up is difficult, but necessary. During my entire high school career, I found it difficult to show up. Going to school for 8 hours a day was emotionally exhausting. However, it doesn't have to be.
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Tony: Pushing Forward No Matter What
“Keep pushing forward no matter what life throws at you. Don’t let your past define your future.” That’s the advice Tony offers to the next class of graduates at his alma mater, Eldorado High School in Las Vegas.
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Neorah: Aspiring to Help Others Achieve Their Dreams
My journey with Communities In Schools has been nothing short of transformative, exceeding all initial expectations. At the heart of this experience is my site coordinator, Carlea Atkinson. Her office became a safe haven, a place where I could seek advice and guidance. Ms. Atkinson's commitment to my growth was evident in the numerous college and university visits she facilitated, exposing me to a world beyond my immediate surroundings.
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Sierra: Turning Her Senior Year Into a Success Story
Senior Sierra set out to make her last year her best – and she more than delivered. Referred to Communities In Schools of Tennessee by her principal (and herself), Sierra connected with Hope Childs, her program manager, to tackle two big goals: improving her attendance and getting career-ready.
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Mental Health First Aid: A Necessary Skill for Any Adult Who Interacts with Young People
Mental Health First Aid empowers adults to recognize when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis — and it gives them the tools they need to support, triage, and connect that person to help if warranted.
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Amaya: Changing the World
This year, Terrell High School senior Amaya set a BIG goal—earning a scholarship to UT Tyler.
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Leading the Future of Education: CIS Brings Powerful Stories and Policy Solutions to Capitol Hill
Learn how CIS leaders came together in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the future of education.
Read more of Leading the Future of Education: CIS Brings Powerful Stories and Policy Solutions to Capitol HillLearn About Our Approach
We bring the power of caring adults and much-needed resources into schools—directly to the students who need them most. Together with school administrators and educators, we put students at the center and work hard every day inside schools to respond to their needs.
