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Surrounding students with a community of support.

Since 1984, Communities In Schools of Palm Beach County has worked inside the School District of Palm Beach County, connecting students to caring adults and the resources they need to stay in school and achieve in life.

18,520 dots. One for every student who received CIS services in the 2024-2025 school year.

The CIS story through data

18,520 students received CIS services during the 2024-2025 school year.

17,972Tier 1 services
Widely available to any student who needs CIS services, and usually short term.
548Tier 2 and 3 services
Intensive support for students enrolled in a CIS classroom initiative, who face risk factors like low attendance or poor academic performance.

102,574 students served since 1984.

Report card2024-2025 school year
OutcomeResult
Graduation rate
96%
Promotion rate
93%
Improved classroom behavior
97%
Improved academic performance
83%
Improved attendance
68%
Dropout rate
1%

Who we serve: 33% of our students self-reported as homeless, and 27% as having experienced trauma.

See all of our results
Students in a classroom listening to a presentation A CIS coach adjusting a graduating senior's stole

Being present matters

We show up for students by connecting them to the critical support and resources that they need in order to be successful in the classroom and beyond.

Caring adults can make a huge difference in a student’s life. That’s why coaches are the ultimate caring connectors, bringing support directly inside the school building to help students succeed.

Read our history

“It’s not programs that are transforming young people’s lives, it’s relationships.

A great program simply creates an environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.”

Bill Milliken, Communities In Schools founder

Everything we do is guided by the Five Basics

Developed by our founder Bill Milliken, the Five Basics are a set of essentials that every child needs and deserves.

  • A CIS coach with a graduating student

    One-on-one relationship with a caring adult

  • CIS students and staff together in a school hallway

    A safe place to grow and learn

  • A student holding a Hope ribbon she colored during a health awareness activity

    A healthy start for a healthy future

  • Students at College and Career Week at Royal Palm Beach Community High School

    Marketable skills to use upon graduation

  • Students making awareness cards at an outdoor table

    A chance to give back to peers and community

Inside six Palm Beach County schools

Our coaches work inside the school building, right where students need them. CIS serves students in grades K-12. Contact us to see if your child’s school is one of the schools we serve.

Contact us
  • Lakeshore Middle School
  • Atlantic Community High School
  • Forest Hill Community High School
  • Glades Central High School
  • Pahokee Community High School
  • Santaluces Community High School

Student success lasts a lifetime

Students at a College and Career Week session at Royal Palm Beach Community High School A student smiling beside her laptop during College and Career Week Students in the hallway during College and Career Week
College and Career Week at Royal Palm Beach Community High School, organized by our program director, ended with a fair where more than 30 colleges, universities and business partners filled the school courtyard.
Erven, CIS student at Royal Palm Beach High School

Spotlight student: Erven

“She has been like family to me.”

After moving from place to place, Erven found support through Ms. Desilus and the CIS program at Royal Palm Beach High School. Three years of mentorship later, he was a confident graduating senior headed to technical college to study automotive technology, with a goal of opening a mechanic shop that serves his multilingual community.

Read Erven’s story
Student Leaders volunteering at a food bank
Bank of America

Bank of America Student Leaders

Every year, through the Bank of America Student Leaders® program, we help connect community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development and service.

  • An eight-week paid summer internship
  • The Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
  • Open to high school juniors and seniors
Eligibility and how to apply

Get involved

Give

Give a tax-deductible gift and make a lasting difference in the life of a child. All donations stay in Palm Beach County, supporting existing programs and helping us reach more communities.

One-time or monthly gifts. Checks can be mailed to our office.

Donate now

Mentor or tutor

Mentors meet with one student once a week, during the school day, at the student’s school. No special skills are needed beyond listening and caring. Tutors are needed in every subject, especially math.

Volunteer with us

Advocate

Ask your elected officials, your organizations, and your friends and family to support our work. Together we can make a real difference in the lives of children and the future of our county.

Ways to advocate

News

All news

Common questions

How does CIS spend donations?
CIS believes in transparency regarding the use of your generous donations. Our financial information is on our Financial Reports page.
Which schools partner with CIS?
CIS partners with schools throughout Palm Beach County. Contact us to see if your child’s school is one of the schools we serve.
What is the age range of students that CIS works with?
CIS works with students in grades K-12.
How successful is CIS?
In the 2024-2025 school year, our students had a 96% graduation rate, a 93% promotion rate and a 1% dropout rate.

Stronger together

Communities In Schools of Palm Beach County is grateful for the support of our partners.

Communities In Schools Nationally Accredited Affiliate Nonprofits First Accredited
  • Bank of America
  • Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County
  • The School District of Palm Beach County
  • United Way of Palm Beach County
  • Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
  • Florida Department of Education
  • CVS Health Foundation
  • The Jim Moran Foundation
  • Simon Youth Foundation
  • Children’s Home Society of Florida
  • Office Depot
  • Palm Beach State College
  • Lynn University
  • Great Charity Challenge
  • Extraordinary Charities
  • The GEO Group
  • Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley
  • Preston J. Fields, P.A.
  • WPBF 25

Help a student stay in school and achieve in life.