For newly immigrated students, the beginning of their experience in Arlington Public Schools can be the difference between graduation and dropping out. For the past decade, these students–facing challenges of language, culture and resources–have been the most at-risk of dropping out of school. Recognizing this crucial need in our school communities, Communities In Schools of NOVA is working to bridge these gaps to provide students with a solid foundation in our community.

Through orientation programs such as STARS at Wakefield, and Monday Connect at Arlington Community, students are given the opportunity to begin their education in Arlington on the right foot. World Remix at Gunston and Bridges 4 Life at Wakefield provide students with safe places to interact with other newly arrived students, practice English and receive mentoring from peers that went through the process in years past. CIS NOVA also works to engage the parents of these students, to establish an immediate bond between often hard to reach families and their child’s school.

In addition to our case management services, CIS NOVA provided 120 students with these supports during the 2017-2018 school year. While transitioning to a new country and culture can be a life-long process, CIS NOVA is proud to provide a solid beginning for these students and families in our community.