Communities In Schools Of Pittsburgh-allegheny County
11 reviews total. Average rating:
User Reviews
In my opinion, i really like this school, & i wouldnt trade it for any other school. The students are nice but i dont really talk with anyone. I come & try to get as much stuff as possible done. I really like the teachers! Everytime you walk in the door, the first things out of their mouth is "Hey, how are you doing today?" or "How are you feeling today?" i like the fact of being able to work at your own pace. It takes a lot of stress off because you dont get in trouble for not having something done right a way. I also like the fact of it being all year round because then you can get all your work done faster, earn more credits sooner, & graduate faster. You also get breaks for holidays like a regular school. It is also very nice to be able to take a break when you want, & be able to go get something to eat without gettin in trouble. Anyone can do it, its not hard & for only 4 days a week for 2-3 hours. Not only that, they help get you grants to colleges, they take you to tour colleges & everything like that. Ever since i started at this school, i actually look forward to going everyday.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... -
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... -
I find that CIS Academy is a very nice school to go to. Here they treat you as an adult and like you are your own person. When your here you are in an atmoshpere that is comfortable and refined. Once you come in the door they great you with a "Hi how are you doing" and giving confidence boosts with everyone and always able to help some that needs help with a problem or anyone that needs a pasword for a test or a signature for a completed test so i find that CIS Academy is a awsome place to go.
The Great!
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... expand and put in a break room for the kids and staff with a TVs and cable a fridge and and some gaming systems for the kids so when they are on break they can come inside and eat and relax on their break instead of eating out side or some where else.
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... they had a lounge where the kids and relax on their break instead of outside or somewhere else so they could get their food and come back with out all the walking in the cold, or raining weather.
I was a Volunteer & I have taken part in The Anti Defamation League. I have also taken part in The Toys For Tots Organization
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The over all environment is very pleasant. The teachers and staff are wonderful caring people whose only goal is to help the students succeed. The quiet and comfortable learning facilities are very beneficial to the overall feel within the Academy. Personally I have not only learned a lot as a student but in the time that I have spent in CIS Academy I have experienced personal growth in school and in my community.
The Great!
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... The Teachers and staff are very Welcoming and caring. They focus on your individual needs as a student.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... Keeping your self on task and using your time wisley.
School's In Communties has help me see my potential as a student. In the spring time I will be enrolled in the school's dual enrollment program with CCAC. I really enjoy all the people who not only work at the school but the environment is by far a better place for me instead of my home school.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... In ways of education experience great people good learning points
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... everything, honestly
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... very knowledgeable in their fields extremely kind and very honest with the progress you've made or not made
Ways to make it better!
- If I ran this organization, I would... be exactly the same thing that they ar doing currently, communities in schools has honestly changed my life and my perspective on high school education
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... the students enrolled
- One thing I'd also say is that... CIS is currently my new family, in my opinion, because they push me to excell and acheve all the goals i want to reach in life
I am presently a graduate student at IUP and serving as an intern in Community Counseling here at CIS. I have wittnessed first hand how this program has influence the children it serves. CIS gives students an opportunity to excell where they may have failed in the past. I wish all school districts were involved in this program it is simply wonderful.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the population it serves and the over all attitude of it's students
Ways to make it better!
- If I ran this organization, I would... have more group therapy.
I was a General Member of the Public & Heard about it through many different avenues, was placed there for six weeks during Coro.
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The CIS management and staff obviously really care about the life, both present and future, of every child it works with. The staff is invested in the success of each youth. They are trying innovative ways to reach the students, through field trips, flexible schedules, and one on one learning.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the students who have succeeded.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... learning from the staff
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... so helpful, caring, and knowledgeable.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... expand its programs at the existing schools and build new sites for its academies; pay their community connectors themselves so every school in the PPSD could have one
Ways to make it better!
- If I ran this organization, I would... work on ways to engage students civically, increase the students' technology training, work on an internship aspect.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... attendance and parental involvement.
- One thing I'd also say is that... it is a great alternative for students who are having trouble in traditional schools, need a more flexible schedule, or who has dropped out.
I was a Client Served & I am a high school student at CIS Academy
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I really enjoy going to CIS. CIS is a great school for students who have trouble in their public school. They have a very good set of rules for the sudents. I do not like coming to school every other day from 8 to 4. I really like that we do stuff here like a normal public school. I would definitely recommend this school for any student.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... My learning abillities and people skills.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... having gym outside all the time.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... Very nice and easy to get along with.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... improve with their technology
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... the school was located in an easier location.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... coming to school on time.
I was a Client Served & I am a high school student whose school career has been greatly improved by CIS Academy
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When I switched schools from EF to CIS, I started to show up to school on a regular basis. My grades are a lot better now and I'm going to graduate on time. When I first started CIS, I was behind about 3 and a half credits. Now after attending only about 6 months, I am actually ahead on credits but I'm still learning a lot.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... students that have graduated after dropping out or getting kicked out of public high school. They are all happy to have finally graduated.
Ways to make it better!
- If I ran this organization, I would... try to make more students aware of the school, and try to help them out as much as I have been helped in the past 6 months at CIS
I was a Client Served & I am a middle school student here when I wasn't learning at my other school.
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At CIS Academy, I'm learning more than what I was learning at my other school. I'm understanding what they are teaching me because they work with me. There's nice teachers, they communicate with you. We do nice things like we make books and we have group time. I just like to be here, and I am happy here.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... I got to taste food from different countries.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... nice.
Ways to make it better!
- One thing I'd also say is that... I am learning math but I need to do better.
I was a Professional with expertise in this field & I provided brief consultation regarding evaluation of the program.
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This organization excels at making a difference in the lives of the youth they work with. Their reputation and respect within the community is growing under the leadership of their new Executive Director.
The Great!
Ways to make it better!
CIS Rocks!!!!
I am also a college student and currently working as an intern for a community based social service organization who helps mothers and their children transition to self-sufficiency. I have been searching for an alternative school for a young man, who has decided he does not want to go back to his current school, but who definitely wants to graduate. I have heard great things about CIS and am so thrilled to have found these reviews. It has been incredebily helpful to me as his case manager and I am hoping it will be helpful to him as well. I am printing this page out as we ‘speak’ so he can see how many CIS students really enjoy the school. Thank you for your review, it has helped me make a decision as to which school I am going to show him first.