About Us

Forty years ago, a group of compassionate business leaders, educators, and community champions came together with one shared belief: no child should have to face life's challenges alone. They envisioned a community where every student, regardless of the obstacles they faced, would have the support, encouragement, and resources needed to stay in school and build a brighter future. From that vision, Communities In Schools of the Coastal Bend was born.

What began in just three schools has grown into one of the region's most trusted student support organizations. Today, Communities In Schools proudly partners with 18 independent school districts across eight Coastal Bend counties, providing campus-based Student Support Specialists in 62 schools and serving more than 25,000 students and family members each year.

Every day, our team walks alongside students facing challenges such as poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, mental health concerns, chronic absenteeism, and family crises. We believe every child deserves to be seen, heard, valued, and given the opportunity to succeed. By surrounding students with a community of support, we remove barriers to learning, strengthen families, and empower young people to graduate prepared for college, careers, and life.

Forty years later, our mission remains as powerful as the day it began. Together with our school districts, community partners, volunteers, donors, and supporters, we continue to create hope, transform lives, and build stronger communities—one student, one family, and one success story at a time.

Performance Measures Among CIS-tracked students:

• 97% Improvement in Academics, Attendance and/or Behavior
• 94% Graduated
• 89% Promoted
• 98% Stay in School

Every child needs and deserves:

1. a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult;
2. a safe place to learn to grow;
3. a healthy start and a healthy future;
4. a marketable skill to use upon graduation;
5. and a chance to give back to peers and community.

Supportive Guidance and Counseling: Services that support and address students' needs to assist in bringing about positive results in their lives.

Health and Human Services: Services that support and promote health awareness, healthy life styles and provide for basic needs.

Parental and Family Engagement: Services and activities that support and help to increase the participation of parents in the students' educational experience.

College and Career Readiness: Services and activities that promote career awareness, job readiness, skills training, preparation for the workforce and assistance in the attainment of employment.

Enrichment: Services that provide positive social, cultural, recreational, interpersonal skills and experiences to enrich and expand students' understanding of life and involvement in community.

Academic Support: Services that support all educational areas as needed to promote student achievement and success in their school experience.