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Who We Are - Background & ProgramsCIS Background and Programs Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area, Inc. • Provides a nationally acclaimed dropout prevention program that surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. • Holds an accredited status with the 35-year-old Communities In Schools-National in Arlington, Virginia, which oversees nearly 200 affiliates nationwide. A recent five-year independent study by ICF International ranked the CIS Model as the most effective dropout prevention organization in America and the only one proven to increase graduation rates. • President Obama has heralded it as one of the bright spots in public education. Time Magazine recently included Communities In Schools in its comprehensive "What Makes Schools Great" feature. Worth magazine has twice named CIS-National as one of the 100 charities that will save the world. • During the 2011-12 school year, 96% of students promoted to the next grade and 93% of seniors graduated. Out of the 123 seniors graduated, 73% went on to college and 11% joined the military. • Partners with Charleston and Berkeley County School Districts to serve over 10,750 students (92% from low-income families) in 23 schools, using an evidenced-based comprehensive approach to bring community services to students, their families, and schools. • The Student Support Program is designed to address the risk and protective factors that influence a child's academic success and the decision to remain in school. • CIS outcomes are tracked on multilayer data management system (CISDM). • Uses a proven process for developing public/private partnerships with businesses, grantors, government agencies, and volunteers who, last year donated over 20,000 service hours. • Reports that 91% of donated income goes directly to program services. • Maintains a 501 (c)(3) status and a $2.85 million budget to support 39 in-school employees and 11 office staff members. CIS owns and maintains a 2,100-sq.-ft office building at 1090 East Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC. • CIS Charleston was established in 1989, following a study by Johns Hopkins University in Maryland that advised the Charleston County School District to implement dropout prevention programs. In a 1990 partnership with the Charleston County School District CIS established the Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy, Charleston County’s first alternative high school. The Clark Academy offers a low student/teacher ratio and a comprehensive support staff for students who have previously not excelled in the traditional school setting. America’s Promise has recognized the academy as one of America’s Schools of Promise.
Results CIS achieves positive results with the students who actively participate in the CIS programs. For the 2011-12 school year, the following outcomes were achieved based on 1,031 students who received Student Support services: • 96% were promoted (excludes seniors) • 79% improved academics in at least one core subject area • 88% improved behavior
"The Five Basics for Kids" By facilitating the implementation of an integrated service delivery system, CIS is able to place services in the school where students/families have access on a daily basis. Within this diversity of approaches, all CIS partnerships are united behind “the five basics for kids”: • Every child needs and deserves a personal, one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
Communities In Schools’ Programs Take a deeper look into the programs and services that CIS offers:
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