Communities in Schools and GearUp
CIS Affiliates in Virginia
CIS of Virginia (CIS-VA) is part of a national Communities In Schools network. In Virginia, six independent CIS affiliates and one emerging affiliate work together to serve nearly 200 schools in 30 school divisions across Virginia. Over the past ten years, the CIS-VA network has experienced incredible growth in the number of schools and students served.
CIS Impact
School-based staff within the CIS-VA network rely on this model to help schools and students succeed. Network staff use this model to help schools identify annual goals, help students identify individual goals, develop meaningful supports, and use data to track and evaluate progress toward goals.
Our model is a whole-school approach to deliver tiered supports that best meet the needs of schools and students. We provide these supports in three different tiers:
Tier I: School Level
Widely available services designed to foster a positive school climate and address school-level risk factors.
Tier II: Targeted Services
Targeted services typically provided in a group setting to students with a common need.
Tier III: Individualized Services
Intensive, individualized services, typically provided in a one-on-one setting to students with highly specific needs.
Utilizing this model with fidelity has led to impactful change in communities within the CIS-VA network. To learn more about the collective impact of the CIS-VA network, see our 2024-25 Impact Report.
Advocacy
A primary purpose of the CIS-VA state office is to advocate for public support. Our goal is to advance policy and funding for the network’s collective goals of expansion and sustainability. CIS-VA has consistently served as a thought leader and partner to the Virginia Department of Education in elevating community school principles. CIS demonstrates the impact possible when evidence-based models of support are implemented with fidelity and excellence.
CIS-VA is Growing!
Communities in Schools of Virginia in Southside is an emerging CIS affiliate supported by Communities In Schools of Virginia (CIS-VA). Communities In Schools of Virginia in Southside has been serving the region since 2024 and currently partners with public schools in Danville, Greensville, and Lunenburg.
GEAR UP Virginia
GEAR UP Virginia helps students and families prepare for success after high school by building college and career readiness, increasing access to resources, and strengthening a culture of postsecondary success.
Student Services
GEAR UP provides direct support through career exploration, academic and graduation planning, SAT/ACT preparation, and financial aid guidance. Students gain the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their future.
Family Services
Families are essential partners in student success. GEAR UP helps families better understand college and career opportunities, enrollment, financial aid, and the steps to postsecondary success. Family leadership opportunities also empower families to advocate for and support their students' goals.
System-Level Services
GEAR UP also strengthens schools by promoting a college- and career-going culture, supporting student advising, and aligning school practices with college- and career-readiness expectations. These efforts help build systems that support students well beyond the life of the grant.