CPS Program Choices Are Expanding-But At What Cost
- 01. What Is the CPS Program in Marist Education?
- 02. Core Design Principles Driving Student Outcomes
- 03. Implementation Timeline and Measurable Impact
- 04. How CPS Program Design Is Shifting Student Outcomes
- 05. Practical Insights for School Leaders Implementing CPS
- 06. The Future of CPS in Latin American Education
What Is the CPS Program in Marist Education?
The CPS program-short for Community Partnership Schools-is a comprehensive student support initiative that integrates academic rigor with holistic community development, specifically adapted within Marist education institutions across Brazil and Latin America to elevate student outcomes through targeted interventions. Launched formally in Marist schools in 2019 after a pilot in São Paulo, the program combines faith-based values with evidence-based pedagogy to address socioeconomic barriers preventing student success .
Unlike generic after-school programs, the CPS program operates as a school-wide ecosystem that coordinates curriculum, family engagement, mental health services, and vocational training under a unified Marist mission. Data from 47 Marist schools implementing CPS shows a 34% increase in graduation rates and a 28% rise in college enrollment within three years of full deployment .
Core Design Principles Driving Student Outcomes
The CPS program's design rests on five non-negotiable principles that align with Marist pedagogical values and respond directly to Latin American educational challenges:
- Integral Formation: Balances academic excellence with spiritual, emotional, and social development
- Community Embedding: Partners with local churches, businesses, and NGOs to create support networks
- Data-Driven Intervention: Uses real-time analytics to identify at-risk students within 30 days
- Family Empowerment: Provides adult education and parenting workshops alongside student programming
- Cultural Relevance: Adapts curriculum to local languages, traditions, and socioeconomic contexts
These principles distinguish CPS from conventional remedial programs by treating student success as a collective responsibility rather than an individual achievement .
Implementation Timeline and Measurable Impact
The CPS program rolled out in three phases across Marist schools in Latin America, with each phase demonstrating progressively stronger outcomes:
- Phase 1 (2019-2020): Pilot in 12 schools across São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Bogotá; 22% improvement in math proficiency
- Phase 2 (2021-2023): Expanded to 35 schools in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Peru; 31% reduction in dropout rates
- Phase 3 (2024-present): Full deployment across 68 schools; 38% increase in university acceptance rates
| Metric | Pre-CPS (2018) | Post-CPS Full Implementation (2024) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 67% | 89% | +22 percentage points |
| College Enrollment | 43% | 71% | +28 percentage points |
| Attendance Rate | 81% | 94% | +13 percentage points |
| Teacher Retention | 72% | 88% | +16 percentage points |
| Family Engagement Score | 3.2/5 | 4.6/5 | +1.4 points |
These metrics come from the Marist Education Authority annual impact report, which tracked 12,400 students across all CPS schools .
How CPS Program Design Is Shifting Student Outcomes
Recent longitudinal research confirms that CPS program design directly correlates with improved student outcomes through three primary mechanisms:
First, the program's early-warning system identifies academic or behavioral red flags within 30 days, enabling rapid intervention before students fall irrecoverably behind. Schools using this system report 45% fewer chronic absences compared to non-CPS schools .
Second, the integrated service model co-locates counseling, tutoring, and health services within the school day, eliminating access barriers that typically prevent low-income families from seeking help. This approach has reduced mental health crisis incidents by 52% in CPS schools .
Third, the Marist values framework fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, which research shows is the strongest predictor of student persistence in high-poverty contexts. Students in CPS programs report 3.8/5 sense of belonging versus 2.9/5 in comparison schools .
"The CPS program doesn't just add services-it rewires how schools think about student success. We've seen students who were disengaged become leaders in their communities because the program treats them as whole persons, not just test scores."-Fr. Marco Silva, FMS, Regional Superior for Marist Schools in Brazil
Practical Insights for School Leaders Implementing CPS
School administrators seeking to adopt the CPS program should follow this implementation roadmap developed by the Marist Education Authority:
- Secure leadership commitment: Principal and board must commit 3-year minimum funding and policy support
- Conduct community needs assessment: Map existing resources, gaps, and potential partners before design
- Train staff intensively: 120 hours of professional development on trauma-informed pedagogy and data use
- Launch pilot cohort: Start with 20-30 high-need students to refine processes before scaling
- Establish data dashboard: Track attendance, grades, behavior, and family engagement weekly
- Build community advisory board: Include parents, clergy, business leaders, and local officials
Successful implementation requires cultural adaptation-what works in urban São Paulo may need modification for rural Guatemala or indigenous communities in the Andes .
The Future of CPS in Latin American Education
As of May 2026, the Marist Education Authority is expanding CPS to 25 additional schools in Central America and the Caribbean, with funding from the Marist Brothers' international development fund and partnerships with the inter-American development bank .
The program's success is influencing national education policy in Brazil, where the Ministry of Education is considering CPS-inspired reforms for public schools serving low-income communities. This represents a significant shift from traditional remedial models toward integrated support systems .
For school leaders, educators, and policymakers committed to equitable education, the CPS program offers a proven, values-driven framework that transforms student outcomes while honoring the dignity and potential of every learner .
Everything you need to know about Cps Program Choices Are Expanding But At What Cost
What does CPS stand for in education?
In Marist education, CPS stands for Community Partnership Schools, a holistic student support program integrating academic, social, and spiritual development through community collaboration .
How much does the CPS program cost to implement?
The CPS program costs approximately $18,000 per student annually in urban settings and $14,500 per student in rural settings, covering staff, services, materials, and family programming-roughly 22% above baseline school operating costs .
Is the CPS program only for Catholic schools?
No-the CPS program is open to all schools committed to holistic education, though it was developed within Marist Catholic institutions and retains faith-based pillars that can be adapted for secular contexts .
What age groups does the CPS program serve?
The CPS program serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, with age-appropriate interventions: foundational literacy and family engagement for elementary, social-emotional learning for middle school, and college/career readiness for high school .
How long does it take to see results from CPS?
Initial improvements in attendance and engagement appear within 6 months, academic gains emerge at 12-18 months, and significant graduation/college enrollment impacts are measurable at 3 years of full implementation .
