Recent Results
Our work helps Chicago students stay in school and achieve in life.
We know that our programs drive real impact. Studies have shown that when CIS is present, students are more likely to come to school, stay in school, do better academically, graduate, and ultimately, have higher earnings as adults.
Testimony from principals, teachers, community organizations, and students continues to verify that the work we do matters.
During the 2024-25 school year:
Communities In Schools of Chicago supported
students at
Chicago Public Schools
Our Partnership Program successfully connected
services and programs to schools, through partnership with
community partners
Our Intensive Program embedded a CIS team member, a Student Supports Manager, at
schools to provide intensive support to
students who needed extra help with their attendance, behavior, grades, or social and emotional skills
percent of students who received intensive supports graduated or were promoted to the next grade
Major Impact
When we say that we help students come to school, stay in school, graduate, and achieve greater economic mobility, it is because we have the data to prove it.
CIS positively impacts students’ math and reading.
In a two-year randomized control trial study, our Partnership Program had a statistically significant impact on math and reading proficiency scores (which are leading indicators for high school graduation). These results were validated in 2021 by UChicago’s Education Lab.
CIS propels students on the path to graduation.
Of the more than 8,000 students CIS has provided case-managed services to since 2009, fewer than 1% of students have dropped out in the year that CIS worked with them. In addition, research from 2021 shows that CIS’ case-managed elementary students increased their attendance by 3-4 days and case-managed high school students increased their attendance by 4-7 days (compared to similar peers).
CIS changes young people’s economic trajectories and reduces the risk of poverty.
A 2025 groundbreaking, longitudinal study from Harvard EdRedesign Lab and Opportunity Insights shows that when CIS is present in schools, students not only do better academically and are more likely to graduate; they are also more likely to have higher earnings as adults. The study found that three years of exposure to CIS:
- Increased high school graduation rates for high-risk students by 5.2% and two-year college enrollment by 9.1%.
- Advanced young people’s economic mobility. CIS students were projected to earn over $75,000 more across their lifetime.
- Yielded a return on investment. For every one dollar invested in CIS, there is a return of $2.36 in public tax revenue.
