It's always a wonderful way to start the summer: watching with pride as our students walk across the graduation stage, filled with excitement to begin the next chapter in their lives... Or handing out certificates of achievement and hard-won improvement to our younger students who are moving up to the next grade. Every year, CIS has so many students with powerful stories to tell, and this year is no exception - our staff worked with some pretty amazing young people this past school year! Hope you'll take a moment to read a few of their stories - it just might make your day! Click on their photos to read more.

A lot of emphasis is placed on academics in school (as it should be) - but who says is has to be BORING?!  If you can get kids engaged and excited about learning, that's half the battle, right? This year CIS Site Coordinators have made extra effort to support teachers at their schools and find ways to reinforce what kids are learning in class. Check out these two ideas - we're always looking for volunteers... and we promise it will be F-U-N! 

Do you know what a "Math 24" competition is? One thing's for sure - spend a day practicing for a Math 24 tournament and you'll either be impressed with your improved math skills -- or else really glad you aren't in school any more competing with these kids!  Our Project L.I.F.T. Team started the Math 24 competitions last year for their middle school students. It proved to be so popular (and effective) that they invited all of our middle school sites to form teams and participate this year. Click here for all the scoop on Math 24!