Communities In Schools of South Carolina Expands to Beaufort and Pickens Counties
Communities In Schools of South Carolina (CISSC) is growing its statewide impact with the launch of services in both the Beaufort County School District and the School District of Pickens County for the 2025–26 school year. Five new schools—Whale Branch Elementary, Whale Branch Middle, Dacusville Middle, Pickens Middle, and Liberty Middle—will now have CISSC Site Coordinators on campus to provide integrated student supports that remove barriers and help students stay on track to graduate.
This expansion increases CISSC’s reach to nine school districts and more than 45 schools across South Carolina, bringing evidence-based, relationship-centered support to hundreds more students.
Read the full press release below to learn more about the expansion and its impact.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2025
Communities In Schools of South Carolina Expands to the School District of Pickens County and Beaufort County School District for the 2025-26 school year
New Sites Launching in Whale Branch, Pickens, Dacusville as Organization Grows Statewide Footprint
COLUMBIA, SC — Communities In Schools of South Carolina (CISSC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to surrounding students with a community of support for nearly 40 years, is proud to announce its expansion into the Beaufort County School District and the School District of Pickens County. With the addition of five new school sites, CISSC now serves students in nine school districts statewide, up from seven in the previous year.
The newly added program sites include:
- Whale Branch Elementary School (Beaufort County)
- Whale Branch Middle School (Beaufort County)
- Dacusville Middle School (Pickens County)
- Pickens Middle School (Pickens County)
- Liberty Middle School (Pickens County)
These expansions bring CISSC’s evidence-based model of integrated student support to hundreds more students, helping them overcome barriers and stay on the path to graduation.
“We are excited to grow our presence in South Carolina and deepen our impact by launching services in both Beaufort and Pickens Counties,” said Jamie Cooper, President & CEO of Communities In Schools of South Carolina. “Our mission is to ensure every student—regardless of their zip code—has the support and opportunity they need to succeed in school and in life.”
Through embedding site coordinators directly within partner schools, CISSC connects students to critical resources—such as academic support, mental health services, basic needs, and mentorship—tailored to meet each student’s individual circumstances.
“The Scaling for Success initiative allows us to bring our tested, evidence-based model to communities that need it most,” said Heather Clawson, Ph.D., Chief Program and Innovation Officer, Communities In Schools National Office. “By expanding to new areas in South Carolina like Beaufort and Pickens, we’re helping schools address the challenges that make learning difficult and ensuring more students have the support they need to thrive.”
With these new partnerships, Communities In Schools of South Carolina is now actively serving over 45 schools in nine school districts, working to break down barriers that can stand in the way of student success.
To learn more about Communities In Schools of South Carolina or to support their work, visit www.cisofsc.org.
Learn More About Each Expansion
CISSC’s growth into Beaufort and Pickens Counties reflects our continued commitment to meeting students where they are and providing the support they need to succeed. Learn more about each local partnership and the schools involved by reading the full press releases below.
“The combination of national, state, and local support will not only provide wrap-around services to hundreds of students in the Upstate but also serve as a model for replication for what all students deserve statewide. As Communities In Schools and other like-minded organizations continue to expand their impact across a broader geographic footprint statewide, we hope that policymakers and appropriators will take notice and expand these
opportunities to more students and families.”
Christopher N. Ruszkowski
Chief Executive Officer
South Carolina Children’s Fund (SCCF)
