“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Our Program Facts

•CIS South Central Texas is one of 194 local affiliates of the national organization, Communities in Schools, the largest dropout prevention network in America, which serves nearly 2.3 million young people each year.

•Started by the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, the South Central Texas program first began by serving 300 at-risk students in the 93-94 school year; with a fifteen year history of success, CIS now serves more than 3,000 students each year with ongoing, intensive support in both individual and group settings, as well as providing services to families in their homes.

•CIS serves 32 schools in 4 school districts across Comal and Guadalupe Counties.

•With campus-based staff members working hand-in-hand with administrators and teachers, CIS is the only program of its kind in the counties served. We are the only comprehensive dropout-prevention program that addresses academic, physical, and emotional needs of at-risk students on a year-round basis, and we are the only program that is equipped to provide continual service from pre-K to high school graduation.

•CIS works in partnership not only with schools, but with approximately 145 businesses, organizations, and groups to provide a myriad of needed services to at-risk students.

•Although state legislative funds provide a significant part of program resources, CIS depends largely on contracts with school districts, on the generous donations of our partners, and on our fundraising efforts.

Our Program Scope

•CIS served 3,031 case managed students (increased from 2,941 in 2007-08), those who receive a full spectrum of services.

•More than 20,000 students received at least one selected CIS service.

•10,903 hours of service were provided to students in need by CIS volunteers comprised of 396 adult volunteers and 104 student volunteers.

•CIS appreciates 145 community partnerships.

Performance Outcomes, 2008-2009 School Year

•99% of CIS-served students (increased from 96% in 2007-08) in grades 7-12 stayed in school.

•95% of CIS-served students (increased from 90% in 2007-08) were promoted to the next grade.

•90% of CIS-served students (increased from 88% in 2007-08) who presented behavior problems demonstrated some improvement.

•73% of CIS-served students who presented attendance problems demonstrated some improvement.

•85% of CIS-served students (increased from 82% in 2007-08) who presented academic problems demonstrated some improvement.

•88% of CIS-served students who were eligible to graduate received a high school diploma or a GED.