Dropout prevention program sees 90% graduation rate

LAS VEGAS – Students working with school coordinators from Communities in Schools of Nevada (CIS), a dropout prevention nonprofit, had a 6% higher graduation rate than the statewide average for the 2019-2020 school year.

CIS said its case-managed students—nearly 500 high school seniors—had a 90% graduation rate for the last school year despite pandemic closure of school buildings, which “further exacerbated inequities for the students the organization serves.” Nevada’s statewide graduation rate for the 2019-2020 school year was 84%.

“Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing our students, supported by our site coordinators, put in the work to earn their diplomas,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO of Communities in Schools of Nevada. “The data show that when we meet students’ needs, they succeed.”

Hance-Lehr said she believes CIS could be the key to unlocking the potential for thousands of students across Nevada by increasing high school and college graduation rates and preparing students for productive careers.

CIS operates in Clark, Elko, Humboldt and Washoe counties and serves about 75,000 students in 75 schools in grades K-12.

About 6,500 students—those who CIS says are experiencing adverse circumstances including poverty, many of whom are of color and are at the intersection of their socioeconomic status and other systemic issues of racism—receive case management services, CIS’s most intensive intervention.

“There are still thousands of students statewide who need more support,” said Hance-Lehr.

She said the organization’s 75 school sites are just a portion of the hundreds of Title I schools in the state that could benefit from CIS site coordinators. “Our program has been proven to give students the best chance at graduating and succeeding in life beyond high school,” she said.

For more information on CIS of Nevada, visit http://cisnevada.org/.