Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads represents the emerging paradigm that schools must step forward to offer more than just academic study, but must meet all the needs of its students. Development Director Linda Dyer discusses how community organizations offer their assistance and insight to help students with life skills. Banks come in to present financial literacy techniques. Academic assistance, nutritional information, career preparation, and college entrance assistance are all critical elements of the program. The idea behind the program is a scaffolding approach. Students learn these skills and then take them home and display them to family and community members. Communities in schools mobilize resources to meet all the needs of its students and has a 97% graduation rate.