The Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program successfully completed its first year in the state of Kansas. During this past school year, JAG had 25 programs across the state of Kansas. The great results achieved over the first year have made it possible for JAG to double its programs for the 2014-2015 school year. The launch of JAG-Kansas is one of the most successful launches in the history of JAG. Expanding the program has made it possible for Newton to have an additional JAG program, which will include Chisholm Middle School.
Newton High Graduation Rate
The Newton High School JAG program had 11 seniors at the beginning of the year. All 11 seniors were able to walk across the stage at graduation and currently have plans to go to college, into the military, or work full time. The 12th JAG senior started second semester and was one class short of graduating. He will be finishing his last class in summer school and is on track to graduate by the end of summer. JAG has the ability to eliminate one of the biggest barriers students have to success: not having a connection. JAG allows students, who would normally “slip through the cracks”, to have a sense of belonging. Through activities in class and outside of class, students start to feel connected to one another and begin to feel like family. Students not only become close to the people they spend class with but also with their JAG Specialist. They start to see their Specialist as their advocate and mentor; in return, the students work hard to succeed in school and make their Specialist proud.
