Eliminating Opportunity Gaps
Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national nonprofit organization that places site coordinators in public schools to connect students with the resources and support they need to succeed. By helping address barriers such as food insecurity, lack of clothing, limited access to tutoring, and mental health needs, CIS works to keep students engaged in school, reduce dropout rates, and improve academic outcomes. Through strong relationships with students, families, schools, and community partners, CIS helps ensure students are supported, prepared to learn, and positioned to thrive.
How Does the CIS Model Help Our Students
Integrated Student Supports: CIS places dedicated Site Coordinators directly within Albemarle County Public Schools to identify and navigate the unique barriers -both academic and personal-that prevent students from showing up and succeeding.
Relationship-Driven Mentorship: Following the philosophy that "relationships change children," CIS fosters one-on-one connections that provide the emotional stability and consistent support vulnerable students need to stay engaged in their education.
Strategic Resource Alignment: CIS acts as a hub for the community, mobilizing evidence-based programs and local resources to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has equitable access to the tools they need to graduate and thrive.
Communities In Schools supports:
Albemarle High School
1,232 students reached
Journey Middle School
374 students reached
Red Hill Elementary School
208 students reached
Woodbrook Elementary School
500 students reached
Greer Elementary School
495 students reached
Impact
Empowering Graduates
CIS provides the consistent mentorship and support that help turn academic challenges into success stories. Through dedicated Site Coordinators placed in schools, CIS helped ensure that 100% of CIS individually-supported seniors at Albemarle High School graduated last year. Additionally, 85% of CIS-supported students met or exceeded their specific academic improvement goals.
Removing Barriers to Learning
CIS also addresses the often invisible barriers—such as food insecurity and poor attendance—that can interfere with a student’s ability to thrive in school. By helping remove these obstacles, CIS enables students to focus on learning and fully engaging in the school experience. This targeted support helped 100% of CIS individually-supported students at Greer Elementary meet their attendance goals. Across the county, CIS served 3,319 students, providing the essential resources and support students needed to arrive ready to learn.
Encouraging Leadership
CIS also develops programs that encourage students to become future leaders and engaged members of their communities. For example, at Journey Middle School, the Biz Kids Entrepreneurship Program empowers students to create business plans, develop prototypes, and pitch their ideas to local judges. In the Literacy Leaders Program, Albemarle High School students mentor Greer Elementary students in reading, strengthening literacy skills while fostering leadership and connection.
