Communities In Schools Receives Major Grant From the Walmart Foundation to Expand...

Communities In Schools Receives Major Grant From the Walmart Foundation to
Expand Performance Learning Centers
Network of Non-traditional High Schools Has Proven Record of Improving
Educational Outcomes and Preparing Students for Future Success

ARLINGTON, Va., July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Communities In Schools, the
nation's largest dropout prevention organization, has received a major grant
from the Walmart Foundation to improve educational opportunities for young
people through its network of Performance Learning Centers (PLCs). PLCs are
non-traditional high schools for students who are not thriving in a
traditional educational setting, and the Walmart Foundation's support will
allow Communities In Schools to expand and enhance the program.

"Performance Learning Centers are a crucial component of how we use a proven
model of integrated services to improve student outcomes and prepare them for
college and life," said Daniel J. Cardinali, president, Communities In
Schools, Inc. "We are very thankful to the Walmart Foundation for its support
and commitment to Communities In Schools, Performance Learning Centers, and
the young people we serve every day."

"The Walmart Foundation is focused on helping create opportunities for youth
to succeed, and we believe that a high school education is essential for
success later in life," said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna.
"Through our work with CIS and many other organizations, we are helping
students graduate from high school, prepare for the workforce and become
successful adults."

In addition to funding two new PLCs that will join the existing network of 36,
the grant will provide students with resources, assistance and training for
college, as well as support expansion of the PLC network through technical
assistance and training of PLC and Communities In Schools staff.

The new Communities In Schools-Walmart Scholars program, designed to provide
access to college for economically disadvantaged students and help them reach
their highest potential, is already underway. CIS has received 21
applications for six scholarships that will be awarded in July. The yearly
program will provide up to $10,000 per student over ten years to help meet the
cost of going to college. The comprehensive support services provided to
students will begin while they are still in high school and continue through
their college careers.

Many PLC students did not believe that success after school was an option for
them, and the Walmart Foundation grant enables students to explore various
career fields through internship and job shadowing programs. Ninth and tenth
grade students will be able to learn about the "real world" by following a
professional in their field of interest. Juniors and seniors will be able to
get on-the-ground training in a chosen field through internships that range
from 20 to 100 hours.

Communities In Schools is the nation's largest dropout prevention
organization, working in more than 3,200 K-12 public schools. Founded in
1977, Communities In Schools is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Today, 1.2
million young people annually receive direct services through more than 200
Communities In Schools local affiliates in 27 states and the District of
Columbia. Between 80-90 percent of Communities In Schools' tracked students
show improvement in academic achievement, attendance, behavior and promotion
to the next grade level. Visit our website at www.communitiesinschools.org.

About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Walmart Foundation are proud to
support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates
in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and
partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating
opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity,
environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008
through January 31, 2009, Walmart - and its domestic and international
foundations - gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally.
To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

SOURCE Communities In Schools

Deborah Veney Robinson of Communities In Schools, +1-703-518-2545,
mediarelations@cisnet.org