Graduation Candidate Advocate

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition‑free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re‑engagement programs are supported by cutting‑edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching. 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 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. Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of student attendance and retention records. Deliver one‑on‑one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals. Proctor unit tests one‑on‑one and support small group proctoring in the virtual school setting. 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: 1+ year of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at‑risk youth. Skills: Strong relationship‑building, excellent communication, adaptability, high energy, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment. We're looking for someone who brings fresh ideas for student engagement and a genuine enthusiasm for the work. Comfort with de‑escalation: Ability to calmly and effectively de‑escalate emotionally dysregulated or disengaged students, using trauma‑informed approaches. 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 Experience in non‑traditional educational settings. Comfort with project‑based and competency‑based learning approaches. Benefits Competitive Compensation: Starting at $22.50 an hour. Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match. Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options available. 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. Equal Opportunity Employer Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include: Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours. On‑site presence (for roles designated as in‑person/onsite). Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations. Ability to perform job functions in an open, student‑centered workspace. If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role. #J-18808-Ljbffr Acceleration Academies