Whom We Serve

Communities In Schools (CIS) works with students and families in selected Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools who have the need for additional resources and services that will help the student thrive and be successful in school. The students and families we serve have a great diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and needs.

Communities In Schools takes a holistic approach to meeting the needs of students and their families, such as: emotional and health concerns, academic tutoring and mentoring from adult volunteers, cultural enrichment, parent involvement activities, community service opportunities, career exploration, and college access/readiness programs. Once a student’s specific needs are identified, the student is connected with the appropriate services and resources.

How CIS School Sites are Selected

CIS works with the local school district to identify schools in need of additional resources. Schools prioritized for inclusion are those with a significant number of children considered “economically disadvantaged.”

Other factors such as school feeder patterns, high ESL populations, fragile neighborhoods and lack of community partners are also considered when determining the schools that CIS will serve.

For Parents and Students

Communities In Schools is a school-based program and services are provided at the school site  during school hours. Parents interested in their child participating in CIS must make a referral to the CIS school-based site coordinator. (For a list of CMS schools that currently offer CIS, please see Schools We Serve.)

Enrollment in the program is limited at each school site, and is prioritized according to the needs and risk assessment of the student. For more information regarding referral, eligibility and enrollment for your child/student, please contact the CIS site coordinator at the select school. Schools and Site Coordinator names and email addresses can be found under Schools We Serve.