Graduation Candidate Advocate

The Role
The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Graduation Candidate Advocates act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered.

This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management.

Key Responsibilities

Enrollment

Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students.
Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success.
Retention and Attendance

Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, monitoring and documenting regular attendance.
Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach (e.g., texts, calls, home visits).
Identify root causes of disengagement and work to remove barriers not just complete outreach attempts
Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records.

Recruitment

Contribute to canvassing and recruitment efforts to attract new students.
Academics

Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals.
Collaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans, including incentive programs to bolster student achievement.
Partner with team members to problem-solve student challenges and improve engagement outcomes
Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices.
Advocacy

Advocate for students by assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support.
Operations

Provide daily operational support for the academy,
Participate actively in academy meetings and school or community events.
Support home visits and local travel, as needed, to re-engage students
Perform additional duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy.

What We’re Looking For

Education: Associate degree preferred, but equivalent experience in education, youth mentorship, or case management will be considered.
Experience: 0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at-risk youth.
Skills: Strong relationship-building, excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
Passion: A genuine commitment to supporting students who have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed.
Technology: Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred!)
Experience in non-traditional educational settings.
Comfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches.

Why Join Us?

Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team that’s dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you’ll directly impact students’ lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation.

We Value Our Team’s Well-being

We prioritize the holistic well-being of our team members and their families through comprehensive benefits:

Competitive Compensation: Starting at $18.00 an hour

Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match to help secure your future.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones.

Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable FTO.

Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources.

Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team.

Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth.

Bonus Opportunities: Celebrating milestones and achievements with performance-based bonuses.

Physical & Work Environment

Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands
Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds
Work in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during events
Occasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage