(RALEIGH) -- The high school dropout rate in North Carolina is at an all-time low, and Communities in Schools of North Carolina is a big reason why. The statewide network served over 139-thousand students last academic year, and 98-percent of them stayed in school. Spokesperson Rebecca Clendenin says a major part of their support comes from thousands of volunteers who donate their time to mentor, tutor and organize at each member school.  "That individual works directly with the student," Clendenin says. "To figure out what their needs are and connect them with the community resources that are already out there."  CISNC serves 42 county and five independent school system across the state.