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Our school-based model of integrated student support is proven to help students reach their full potential.
We work inside schools with other school staff to bring in community resources and partners to help meet the needs of the school, students, and families. We do this through the work of our site coordinators, who have access to local resources and partners to address local needs.
Our services support 6 targeted needs.
Academic
From providing students with tutors to finding creative, quiet spaces where students can study, our Site Coordinators do whatever it takes to create an optimal learning environment for students.
Attendance
By offering personalized support to address the root cause of absenteeism, our staff fosters strong relationships with students and their families. We collaborate with school staff to provide services that help overcome barriers and improve attendance.
College and Career Readiness
We prepare students for college and careers by offering academic support, college guidance, career exploration, skills training, and mentorship. These resources help students achieve their goals and transition successfully to post-secondary education and employment opportunities.
Family Engagement
Our Site Coordinators connect families with counselors and social workers to ensure the home is a healthy and nurturing environment where students can feel safe.
Mental and Behavioral Health
Through one-on-one workshops, clinical sessions, small groups, and guest speakers, we provide services to students that help them develop emotional regulation techniques, character education, social skills building, and conflict resolution skills.
Social Services
A student cannot focus in the classroom if they are hungry, cold, tired, or cannot see the board. Site Coordinators ensure that students’ basic needs are met.
The CIS Model: Integrated Student Supports
Discovery Needs
Through conversations with teachers and students—alongside robust data analysis—CIS site coordinators identify the biggest challenges facing schools and individual students.
Plan Together
CIS site coordinators work with school administrators and educators to develop a plan that prioritizes the various academic and non-academic supports that meet students’ needs.
Integrate Supports
Site coordinators work with school teams every day to integrate the supports identified in the planning process. That’s how CIS becomes an integral part of a school community and students’ lives.
Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust
CIS site coordinators work with schools to continuously monitor student and school progress, using the data and feedback to optimize results. Continuous assessment of partners and student supports helps us increase our impact.
Our Impact
CIS is making a real difference in schools around the country.
We bring the power of caring adults and much-needed resources into schools – directly to the students who need them most. Together with school administrators and educators, we put students at the center and work hard every day inside schools to respond to their needs.
99
of the students we served stayed in school
98
promoted to the next grade
The Three Tiers of Support
CIS’ evidence-based model is a whole-school approach to deliver tiered supports that best meet the needs of the school, including those of individual students.
We provide these supports in three different tiers.
Tier 1 – School Level
- Widely available services designed to foster a positive school climate and address school-level risk factors.
Tier 2 – Targeted Needs
- Targeted services are typically provided in a group setting to students with a common need
Tier 3 – Individualized Needs
- Intensive, individualized services typically provided in a one-on-one setting to students with particular needs.
Learn More About Communities In Schools of San Antonio
Watch this video to learn how CIS-SA works with the community to connect students to the resources and support they need to be present in school and ready to learn.
See the difference that we make together. Explore key outcomes, and the community of support that fuels our mission.
Real students. Real challenges. Real triumphs. Discover how CIS-SA is changing lives—one story at a time.
Your time, talent, and support can change a student’s life. Join us in building brighter futures!
