A nonprofit organization teaches high school students tools for the future. Jobs for America’s Graduates or JAG is in four schools and expanding to even more.
Executive Director of JAG-SD Beth Schneider said the pilot program started 13 years ago.
“These students have significant hurdles to graduation,” Schneider said. “Something maybe their home life, maybe their living situation, they’re just really disconnected from school they might still be getting good grades and they’re just maybe not going to make it to graduation for one reason or another. It’s not a priority.”
She said nearly 100 percent of students in the program graduate.
“Maybe at math class, just leave it at the door focus on what you’re doing,” Schneider said. “But in the JAG class, we think of it as the kitchen table where they can really talk through their issues and then focus on okay that’s not an excuse. What is our what are we going to do with that? How are we going to be better and get to graduation and be successful out in the world?”
Schneider said the program follows up with students after they have graduated.
New schools joining the program are Lyman High School, Oelrichs High School, and Roosevelt High School.
This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.