Communities in Schools of New Mexico

Communities in Schools of New Mexico is a nonprofit that places trained site coordinators inside public schools to connect students with the resources and support they need to stay in school and succeed. As the state affiliate of the national Communities in Schools network, it focuses on reducing dropout rates and improving outcomes for students facing significant barriers to learning.

The organization's model embeds a dedicated coordinator within a school who works directly with students, families, teachers, and community partners. These coordinators identify students who are struggling and connect them to services such as food, clothing, healthcare, mental health support, tutoring, mentoring, and counseling. By addressing the non-academic barriers that interfere with learning, the model aims to keep students engaged and on track to graduate.

Communities in Schools serves students in high-need schools across New Mexico, many of which serve communities affected by poverty. The organization recognizes that students often cannot focus on academics when they are dealing with hunger, instability, trauma, or other challenges, and its integrated student support model is designed to remove those obstacles.

Coordinators provide both schoolwide support, reaching all students through prevention and awareness efforts, and targeted, intensive case management for students with the greatest needs. This tiered approach allows the organization to address a wide range of challenges within each school community.

New Mexico has historically struggled with graduation rates and educational outcomes, particularly among low-income students, and Communities in Schools positions itself as a partner in improving those outcomes. Supported by grants, philanthropy, and partnerships with school districts, the organization works to surround students with a community of support that helps them stay in school, achieve in life, and reach graduation.