Success Stories

Learn Why Being Present Matters

Get inspired by the stories of CIS site coordinators, students, families, educators, administrators, and partners—all working together in schools and classrooms across the country every day!

A Boost of Confidence Helped Zoe Soar

As a middle school student, Zoe was very quiet and stayed to herself. Like many teenagers, self-esteem and anxiety are normal emotions on a daily basis. But for Zoe, the thought of going to school felt overwhelming.

Investing in Back-to-School Readiness at All Levels

Communities In Schools of Cape Fear is no stranger to preparing students to return to school. Last year, their site coordinators provided programming and support to nearly 35,000 students.

Once at Risk of Not Graduating, Esteban Graduated with Honors

“If it wasn’t for CIS, I would not be walking that stage,” Esteban, 18, admitted. “School was never really my thing.”

Making Every Day Count: CIS Attendance Initiatives Motivate Students

CIS of Rural Eastern Washington prioritized attendance in their Tier 1 School Support Plan. CIS Site Coordinator Shannon Young implemented a proactive strategy to address the issue, including school-wide services and resources available to all students.

Andrea's Connection Leads to Turnaround

“I never thought I’d make it to graduation," Andrea said. "School just wasn’t for me. But Mr. Walker changed everything."

Our Work in Action

Learn more about the impact of CIS on individual students and school-wide success.

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CIS leaders standing on the steps in front of the capitol

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.

Story | April 17, 2025

Sharing Your Story Inspires Others

We invite you to share how you or someone you love
has been impacted by the dedication of a CIS organization.

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A Story About Believing in Yourself

The Push is a short film that follows the inspirational relationship between Darrell Smith, a caring CIS site coordinator, and Ja-Mez, who is about to graduate from high school full of self-confidence and with the promise of a bright future — an event that seemed impossible just two years earlier. The moving film provides an inside look at one of the many stories unfolding in thousands of CIS schools across America.

Blog

Learn Why Being Present Matters

A Boost of Confidence Helped Zoe Soar

Investing in Back-to-School Readiness at All Levels

Once at Risk of Not Graduating, Esteban Graduated with Honors

Making Every Day Count: CIS Attendance Initiatives Motivate Students

Andrea's Connection Leads to Turnaround

Our Work in Action

Leading the Future of Education: CIS Brings Powerful Stories and Policy Solutions to Capitol Hill

Sharing Your Story Inspires Others

A Story About Believing in Yourself

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