We connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future.
Our unique model
We believe every student needs and deserves a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a healthy future, a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and a chance to give back to peers and their community.
We are embedded in schools to connect students with resources related to basic needs, academic assistance, physical health, social emotional health, after-school and summer programs, and college and career exploration.
The model
A. CIS Affiliates
Hires and trains site coordinators brings the CIS model to schools in need and mobilizes partners to provide resources.
B. Site Coordinators
A trained professional who works with school administrators to assess needs, develop a plan, and build a team to provide supports to schools and students.
C. Collaborative Partners
Schools, businesses and community agencies all work together with site coordinators to deliver supports to students and families.
Needs assessment
Analyze multiple sources of data to identify the key needs of the school and individual students.
Planning
Site coordinators lead their school support team to develop a plan to prioritize supports that address academic and non-academic needs.
Integrated student supports
Site coordinator and partners deliver tiers of support to the school, students and their families.
Monitoring & adjusting
Site cooordinator continuously monitors student and school progress and adjusts supports to optimize results.
Evaluation
Continuous assessment of partners and student supports by the CIS affiliate to demonstrate results and improve practice.
Proven success
We increase graduation, reduce dropout, and improve attendance for schools in need.
Our impact
By working with Site Coordinators, with Kalamazoo Public Schools, and with community partners and volunteers, we can deliver the right resources to the right students at the right time—addressing the needs of the whole child.
In the last year...
Elementary level
of CIS students improved their attendance from the previous year.
of CIS students improved their academics from the previous year.
of CIS students improved their behavior from the previous year.
Secondary level
of CIS students improved their attendance from the previous year.
of CIS students improved their academics from the previous year.
of CIS students improved their behavior from the previous year.
9678
food packs were distributed while students were at school.
918
students connected with professional mental health services.
48
students visited the Mobile Health Clinic supported by CIS.
403
volunteers dedicated approximately 9,528 hours empowering students.
14768
community-donated items were distributed to address students’ basic needs.
Big impact. Life-changing results.
Independent research, funded through MDRC, reviewed the Communities In Schools (CIS) Model of Integrated Student Supports. The study found that attendance and graduation rates increased in schools with the CIS model present.
The evaluations suggest that the whole-school model of integrated student support offers the promise of positive effects on student’s relationships with adults and peers, their engagement with school, their educational attitudes, and their belief that education has value for their lives.
Schools we serve
- Arcadia Elementary
- Edison Environmental Science Academy
- El Sol Elementary
- Hillside Middle School
- Kalamazoo Central High School
- King-Westwood Elementary
- Lincoln International Studies School
- Linden Grove Middle School
- Loy Norrix High School
- Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts
- Milwood Elementary
- Milwood Magnet: A Center for Math, Science, and Technology
- Northeastern Elementary
- Northglade Montessori Magnet School
- Paramount Charter Academy
- Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary
- Phoenix High School
- Prairie Ridge Elementary
- Spring Valley Center for Exploration
- Washington Writers’ Academy
- Woods Lake Elementary: A Magnet Center for the Arts
- Woodward School for Technology & Research

