ABOUT US

Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve their goals. Through school-based coordination, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to critical community resources that are tailored to their needs.

CIS works in more than 3,200 schools nationally, in the most challenged communities in 26 states and the District of Columbia. Communities In Schools serves nearly 1.4 million young people and their families every year. Communities In Schools has become the nation's leading dropout prevention organization, and the only one proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.

Here in the Lehigh Valley, CIS serves more than 2,900 students in grades 5 through 12 each year. Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to keeping kids in school and providing on-site best practice social support services. CIS is a state licensed provider of alternative education programs and has partnered with Allentown School District since 1994, Easton Area School District since 1999, and Bethlehem Area School District since 2005.

The organization plays a pivotal role in implementing the Comprehensive Site Services model. Our staff assists in the planning, coordination and implementation of programs and services to insure that all kids succeed in school. This is known as Level One service. CIS staff also provides direct service through individual case management as well as school-based tutoring and mentoring at each of its partnering Comprehensive Sites. This is known as Level Two service. CIS is proud to offer Comprehensive Site services in middle and high schools as well as alternative education sites.

CIS is the Lead Partner with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley at Calypso Elementary School and South Mountain Middle School. Through the COMPASS (Community Partners for Student Success) initiative, CIS is working to advance the Community School philosophy at these sites in two counties.

CIS believes:

Every child needs a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult.

Our staff offers mentoring and tutoring opportunities to students at every site. In the Academy setting, student support specialists connect with kids one-on-one, helping them recognize their personal strengths and set achievable goals.

Every child needs a safe place to learn and grow.

Our staff seeks to ensure that safe and nurturing learning environments exist for all students to grow and strive throughout their educational experience through the school day and during after-school and extended day program hours.

Every child needs a healthy start and a healthy future.

Our staff organizes presentations and offers learning activities that promote health and wellness as part of everyday life, informing young and adult minds alike, encouraging kids and their parents to make good decisions.

Every child needs a marketable skill to use upon graduation.

Our staff coordinates community and school district resources to educate students about trends in the job market, workplace expectations and interpersonal skills, preparing them for a secure future. CIS affirms the importance and value of higher education recognizing that many students will thrive after graduation by pursuing a trade, certificated skill or military career.

Every child needs a chance to give back to peers and community.

CIS staff works with our partners and academic leaders to provide ways for kids to be involved in projects and service opportunities at each site in every neighborhood. We recognize that when kids engage with their community, they learn responsibility both to themselves and others, become more confident and help create a better future for everyone.

"Programs don't change kids relationships do!"
Quote From Bill Milliken, founder of Communities In Schools