Jacksonville, FL – On October 21, 2008, PBS&J representatives Michael Holcomb and April Luttrell presented a check for $5,000 to Marcus Haile and Judy Saylor, of Communities in Schools. The purpose of the grant, funded through The PBSJ Foundation, Inc., is to provide financing for programs to keep at-risk students in school.
In Duval County, only 60 percent of students graduate from high school. Communities in Schools is, an organization dedicated to keeping children in school and on the path to graduation. Community in School’s goal for this academic year is to keep 90 percent of students enrolled in their programs in school and on a path to achieving their high school diploma.
Communities In Schools is one of a small number of dropout prevention organizations nationally with scientifically-based evidence of its effectiveness. It is also one of a handful of organizations proven to decrease drop out rates, increase graduation rates, and ensure students graduate on time with a standard diploma. Communities In Schools was founded in 1990 at one middle school site, serving 50 students, and has since grown to reach more than 6,600 students annually in 60 Duval County schools. This makes them the largest provider of in-school dropout prevention services in the county.