Our History
In 1993, a bus trip changed the future for Chesterfield students.
In 1993, Bobby Ukrop and several leaders from local businesses, government, and Chesterfield County Public Schools traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to see a Communities In Schools program in action. What they witnessed sparked a shared commitment to bring this model of support home to Chesterfield.
On the ride back, the group was energized and inspired to take action. Mr. Ukrop went on to become the founding Chairman of the Board of Communities In Schools of Chesterfield, joining other community leaders to launch a local CIS affiliate focused on serving students and families across the county.
With the hiring of Martha J. Frickert as the organization’s first Executive Director, CIS-C officially opened its doors in the fall of 1993 — beginning a legacy of school-based, relationship-driven support that continues today.
Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Manchester Academy at Manchester Middle School served 60 at risk middle school students from across the county.
Burger King Academy (BKA) at Meadowbrook High, named for the financial support from the local Burger King Corporation, enrolled 30 students from Meadowbrook High in the day program and an additional 30 students in a night program. Students completing all course requirements for graduation earned a high school diploma; three students achieved that goal the first year.
Knightsbridge Academy at Thomas Dale High enrolled 20 students.
CIS opened programs at Bellwood and Chalkley elementaries, with one site coordinator serving both schools.
The Knightsbridge Academy merged with Burger King Academy, which began serving students from Bird High.
With a grant from the Office of Virginia’s Governor, CIS began operating with full-time site coordinators at Bellwood and Chalkley elementaries.
Burger King Academy moved to the Perrymont Road Annex, and the program became open to all students in the county. At that time, approximately 100 students enrolled in the day program and more than 300 students in the night program. Later, Burger King Academy becomes Chesterfield Community High and then moves to the former Carver High.
CIS of Chesterfield expanded to serve Ettrick Elementary
CIS of Chesterfield officially separated from the Chesterfield Education Foundation, becoming an independent 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Chesterfield Community High becomes the Carver College and Career Academy, which began offering students the opportunity to enter one of four learning pathways: Building Trades, Business and Technology, Child Development, and Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation.
CIS-C was awarded a three-year United Way Community Impact Grant, marking a major milestone in the organization’s expansion and transition toward deeper community-based financial support.
CIS expanded to four new schools: Falling Creek Elementary, Salem Church Middle, L.C. Bird High, and Meadowbrook High.
CIS-C launched a new initiative to place second Site Coordinators in our largest schools — Falling Creek Middle, L.C. Bird High, and Meadowbrook High — to better meet the needs of their growing student populations.
CIS expanded to six new schools: Manchester Middle, Bensley Elementary, Hening Elementary, Carver Middle, Marguerite Christian Elementary, and Harrowgate Elementary.
In 2025, CIS-C expanded to a 16th school: Hopkins Elementary.
Today, CIS-C serves nearly 15,000 students at 16 Chesterfield County Public Schools.
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When CIS is present, 99% of students stay in school.