PROGRAMS
Communities In Schools of Jacksonville has spent 35 years focused on helping students succeed. Many of our students and their families experience challenges outside of school, which can hinder their ability to concentrate in the classroom. With the help of community partners, we remove barriers to education, provide on-site student support, and connect resources to students and their families in need.
Our student support services include programs in case management, literacy, afterschool, and workforce development. These initiatives are implemented by certified coordinators working inside and outside the classroom, serving as positive adult role models. Learn more about each program below.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Our case management program places full-time site coordinators directly in Duval County Public Schools. It offers support for students at risk of falling behind or dropping out, providing access to many important services. Our caring site coordinators build strong relationships with students, offering academic assistance, basic needs support, referrals, home visits, college and career readiness, and advocacy.
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
"The help that I received from CIS Jacksonville is really what's it's all about. If I didn't have that support, I know we wouldn't have made it through. It got us back on track. Just knowing that I wasn't in this situation by myself, that I was working with an organization that wanted me to keep my family together... that was everything to me."
- Jamie, mother of CIS Jax student Jada Vaughn
970
Students were served in the 2023-2024 school year
THE STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Our Student Enrichment Program, launched more than 35 years ago, stands as a cornerstone of our community’s commitment to youth development. We place dedicated, full-time site coordinators in schools, working closely with approximately 75 students at each site. Through personalized individual and group counseling, we empower students to pursue their dreams while equipping them with essential life skills for success. This impactful program is made possible through the generous support of Duval County Public Schools and local private foundations.
ACHIEVERS FOR LIFE
Achievers For Life (AFL) is a dropout prevention initiative developed by United Way of Northeast Florida in partnership with CIS and The LJD Jewish Family and Community Services. AFL focuses on 6th-grade students that show risk factors for school disengagement or chronic absenteeism. These factors can include low GPAs, low FCAT scores, and excessive absences. We provide these students with family support, a mentor, and in-school assistance, keeping them on track and prepared for high school.
BRIDGE TO SUCCESS
Funded by Duval County Public School, the Bridge to Success Program is dedicated to students who are over-aged for their grade levels. Our site coordinators address all barriers to graduation and provide the necessary support to help students graduate on time, ready to fulfill their college or career aspirations.
GEAR UP
CIS partners with Duval County Public Schools through a seven-year federal grant. These transformative GEAR UP programs start with 7th-grade cohorts in 10 middle schools. The grants allow us to follow these students through high school and one year of post-graduation transition. CIS case managers work with groups of students at each participating school.
ENABLING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE
"If I only had one word to describe Communities In Schools, it would be community. You have to build your community from the center, and you need a strong pillar to anchor you.
For me that was Ms. Stirks (my Communities In Schools case manager). So, to an incoming freshman or sophomore, I'd say find your Ms. Stirks and build your community around it."
- Daveon, 12th grade at William M. Raines High School
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
LITERACY
Reading is the single most important skill for students to develop, as it unlocks a world of knowledge and opportunities while setting the foundation for their entire academic journey.
Our literacy initiative, Duval Reads, is dedicated to nurturing this essential skill. This child literacy improvement program provides intensive one-on-one and small-group literacy tutoring for students in elementary schools. A pillar of support for Duval County students since 1999, the program has helped more than 8,000 students achieve their reading goals.
98%
of students were promoted to the next grade level in the 2023-2024 school year
Our goal is simple yet profound: to increase each student's reading proficiency by at least 10% during the school year. Achieving this goal is made possible through the dedication of our AmeriCorps tutors, who work in schools on part- and full-time bases, providing tailored reading resources and support to their assigned students. These tutors are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young learners and are committed to nurturing a love for reading.
Duval Reads is more than a literacy program; it's a community-driven effort to empower the next generation through the power of reading. In collaboration with a group of partner organizations and the University of Florida Literacy Institute Duval Reads continues to be a driving force in our tutoring services and literacy programs.
We are grateful for the generous support of these partners, who share our passion for child literacy improvement.
EMPOWERING THE WHOLE CHILD
"The partnership we have with Communities In Schools has such a positive impact, not only on our attendance data, our behavior data, our course performance data, and even our parent engagement data...but we have also seen tremendous growth with our students in the area of reading because of the support that Communities In Schools provides."
- Kim Jennings, Principal at Reynolds Lane Elementary
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
When I used to have trouble reading, it was boring, frustrating and aggravating. My AmeriCorps tutor helped me understand the words and their meanings. Now, I want to be a writer or an editor when I grow up.
Paris, 10
AFTERSCHOOL
Many of the toughest challenges for students occur after the school bell rings. These issues can range from academic hurdles to the more basic need of finding a nourishing meal. Our afterschool program provides a safe, nurturing environment and so much more.
Our comprehensive and free afterschool programs are available to elementary and middle school students, with customized offerings unique to each age group. All our students enjoy nutritious snacks at the start of the program and finish with a hot meal. Our afterschool program focuses on six core areas – academic enrichment, sports and recreation, life skills, cultural enrichment, parental involvement, and community service.
Under careful supervision of our certified teachers, students can enhance their literacy skills, complete their homework assignments, and stay on track with their studies.
Exciting Enrichment Activities
Our Afterschool program also creates a dynamic space where kids can forge meaningful connections with their peers through engaging activities like sports, dance, cheerleading, symphony, robotics, literacy enhancement, and more. Our highly qualified afterschool staff members and partners nurture every interest.
JUMP START STRINGS
A partnership with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra to introduce students to classical music.
OPERATION SAVE OUR SONS
A partnership to improve personal growth and attitudes in young men.
YOGA4CHANGE
A partnership offering yoga and mindfulness programs to build resilience and emotional well-being in students.
KNOTS4KIDS
A decade-long partnership helping middle school students with character-building programs.
ROBOTICS PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STEM2HUB
This program immerses students in hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning as they build and program robots, fostering teamwork and critical thinking.
SUMMER CAMP APPLICATION
Our free 8-week summer camp program is available at select school locations. Click below to learn more and access the applications.
Support from the Kids Hope Alliance
Our afterschool programs are made possible through the generous support and oversight of the Kids Hope Alliance. KHA’s commitment to the well-being and development of our young learners is invaluable. Together, we ensure that every child's unique needs are met, setting them on a path to a brighter future.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Hear what students and parents say about their experiences with our afterschool programs.
Join us in this journey, and together, we'll provide a nurturing community that opens opportunities for enrichment, support, and growth
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
We not only nurture the academic success of students but also strive to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed in the workforce after graduation. Our Hope = Success afterschool and summer program is designed to introduce, explore, educate, and inspire students in critical areas essential for their future. We focus on workforce development by preparing students for the job market with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their careers. Entrepreneurship is encouraged by fostering creativity and exposing students to entrepreneurial opportunities. To enhance employability, we provide guidance on key attributes and skills that employers seek, including resume writing, mock interviews, and other job-seeking essentials. Our program also supports students in college preparation, helping them understand their options and make informed decisions about higher education.
Financial literacy is a vital life skill, and we educate students on budgeting, banking, responsible financial management, and financial independence. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of healthy relationships by nurturing both academic and emotional intelligence, providing guidance on building and maintaining strong interpersonal connections. We bring in guest speakers who share real-world experiences and insights on careers, college programs, and life lessons. Our program also features hands-on learning, including resume building, mock interview sessions, and creative activities like art and culinary projects. To provide structured support, our afterschool workforce development program runs for two hours, three days a week, and we offer a six-week summer camp from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
We are proud to offer our program at several school locations including:
- Andrew Jackson Senior High School
- Jean Ribault High School
- Riverside High School
- Terry Parker High School
- William M. Raines High School
- Westside High School
If you share our passion for preparing the next generation for success in the workforce and would like to get involved as a business partner, guest speaker, or even host a field trip, we welcome your participation. Please reach out to Mary Naumann at mnaumann@cisjax.org to explore how you can make a meaningful impact on the future workforce.
