Graduation Advocate

Position: Graduation Candidate Advocate
Location: Sarasota

About Acceleration Academies

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

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
• Travel between academy sites (including Venice location) as part of role expectations
• 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…