GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Brown County non-profit says 6,000 high schoolers are at risk of not graduating, and now they want to make sure every student gets a diploma.
“It’s our community’s responsibility to support these kids. It takes a village, and so, we’re asking you, within this community, to step up and help,” said Adam Hardy the executive director of Achieve Brown County.
Achieve Brown County is working with various other organizations in the community, including Big Brother Big Sister, to connect students–from 3 high schools and one middle school–with mentors.
“Our counselors and our social workers are working in partnership to identify students who would significantly benefit from a unique mentor experience,” said Michelle Langenfeld, Superintendent of Green Bay Area Public Schools.
Hardy tells FOX 11 the goal with the new mentor-ship program is that every student has the chance to walk across the stage.
“Every year we have more than 300 kids that don’t graduate, have limited next steps, and that keeps piling up year and year after year, so it really is a problem that we need to work on.”
High school graduation rates fell to 89.3% in 2017, nearly one whole percentage point lower than 90.2% in 2016, according to Achieve Brown County.
A system called (DEWS) Dropout early warning system collects data on students that might be at risk.
“Based on their grades, their attendance and their instances of in-school, out of school suspensions,” said Spencer Bonnie the director of community impact for Achieve Brown County.
She tells FOX 11 they use the same information to track the progress of students during the mentorship program.
“We’ll come back and assess whether there was an increase in grades and attendance and a decrease in behavior. Our belief is that there absolutely will be.”
If you are interested in volunteering, they are looking for 100 mentors by March 1st.
