Communities In Schools-Charlotte

Students benefit when the caring adults in their lives work together.

At Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, our Student Support Specialists partner with parents, families, caregivers, educators and community members to support students both inside and outside the classroom.

This united support system helps students stay present, stay motivated and stay on track to graduation. Join us in helping more students reach their goals!

By supporting students today, we’re investing in the future of Charlotte.

The more students succeed, the stronger our communities become. When we embrace students for who they are, meet students where they're at and give students what they need to succeed, the result is stronger academic achievement, more graduates, a more robust workforce, a more prosperous economy and thriving communities.

A new study from Harvard showed a direct correlation between improved test scores, higher graduation rates, increased economic mobility for students, and increased federal tax revenue when CIS is present in schools.

Help us create more graduation stories and brighter futures: https://www.cischarlotte.org/

There’s no substitute for showing up.

When students know someone believes in them and is there to support them, it can make all the difference in their journey through school. CIS Student Support Specialists provide that steady, caring presence for students who need it most.

Together, we can help more students stay present in school and reach graduation day.

Behind every student success story is a network of support—and most often a dedicated CIS Student Support Specialist helping guide the way. CIS Specialists work directly with students to understand their individual needs, connect them with resources and encourage them to reach their goals. Their support helps students stay focused, confident and on track to graduate.

Help us continue providing this life-changing support to students across Charlotte! https://www.cischarlotte.org/get-involved/make-a-donation/

Charlotte, we’re getting HUNGRY 🍽️

Dine Out For Kids is happening Tuesday, June 16, and the restaurant lineup just keeps getting better! We’re excited to welcome:

✨ Famous Toastery (University Location)
✨ Mystic Spice
✨ Ricci’s Hoagies

Every meal helps fuel student success — so grab your friends, coworkers, family, and your biggest appetite and join us for an incredible day of food for a cause!

Here is the CIS- Charlotte difference:

During the ‘24-’25 school year:
🎓428 of seniors graduated
✍️11,300+ College and Career Supports Provided
💻78% of seniors completed FAFSA and submitted at least one college application
✨98% of seniors had post-graduation goals (75% two-or-four-year college/university, 6% enrolled in military, vocation or apprenticeship, 17% entered the workforce)
💵 $4,049,914 awarded in scholarships

Being Present Matters! And we're so proud of all our students' accomplishments this year. Join us in keeping the momentum going—even as the year comes to a close.

When our CIS Student Support Specialists meet students where they are and provide them with the supports they need to succeed, the result is stronger academic achievement, more graduates, a more robust workforce, a more prosperous economy and thriving communities.

It's a win-win on every level. Your investment can be the reason why a student has access to the support and resources they need to succeed in school and beyond.

As we close out the school year, you can join us in celebrating our accomplished graduates and helping us ensure all of our students have the support they need to take the next step in their educational journey.

School should work for all students—regardless of their background or circumstances. That's why Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg connects students with the essential resources they need to show up to school prepared and ready to learn. This support isn't just about succeeding in the classroom; it's also about succeeding in life!

When students have the supports they need to thrive inside the classroom, they're better equipped to do so outside the classroom, too. Just three years of CIS exposure and support produces:

+5.2% increase in high school graduation rate
+$75,000 increase in lifetime earnings
+$7,100 additional tax revenue (after an investment of only ~$3,000 per student)

We celebrate this reality as we celebrate the success of our 2026 graduates! We're so proud of their hard work and dedication.

Together, we can continue to help more students be present in school and reach graduation day. Join us in this life-changing work today: https://ow.ly/KnAj50YWbVT

We stand by our students—all the way to graduation day. We know that today's students will be the leaders who guide our society, the community members who build strong families, the entrepreneurs who transform our economy, and the workers who drive our industries.

But none of this matters if students don't show up to school. Being Present Matters—when our CIS Student Support Specialists show up and invest in students with a steady, caring presence, it makes all the difference. Graduation rates increase and futures are bright.

You can join us in creating more graduation stories! Learn how you can provide students with the resources and supports they need to succeed in school and thrive in life here: https://www.cischarlotte.org/

Three cheers for the partners who helped us bring Illuminate to life on April 29!

The generous support from Harris Teeter, HMSHost, Charlotte Auto Show, Archetype Investments, Christ Church Episcopal Church, Actions Plus Ideas, and The Fresh Market, helped us shine a light on the students, stories, and impact that make this work so powerful. Your commitment helps us show up every day and ensures more students have the support they need to succeed. We’re so grateful to have you in our corner 💛