The Case for High School Mentoring Programs: the NDCHS Difference

High school mentoring programs aren't just a helpful tool for boosting academic achievement, they're also an investment in students' mental and emotional health and interpersonal skill development. We'll go over some of the ways high school mentoring programs are effective tools in youth empowerment, particularly at New Dawn Charter High School.

The Problem: High School Dropout Rates

There are many social, economic, and interpersonal costs associated with dropping out of high school. Those that drop out of school at the high school level are more likely to:

• Be unemployed
• Live in poverty
• Rely on government welfare programs
• Be unsatisfied with their jobs
• Have a major health condition (e.g., heart disease, diabetes)
• Suffer from mental health conditions (e.g., depression)

The core of the issue is that dropping out of school often comes with a range of lifelong consequences. That's why New Dawn Charter High School is so committed to student success, and uses a staff-student mentorship model to mitigate negative outcomes and encourage each and every student to graduate.

Different Types of Mentorship

Mentorship comes in various forms, each serving unique purposes to foster growth and development. Peer mentoring involves older students guiding younger peers, offering academic support, social advice, and a relatable perspective to help ease their transition and enhance their experience.

Teacher-student mentoring and school counseling goes deeper, providing academic and social guidance tailored to individual needs, helping students navigate their educational journeys and personal challenges.

Professional and community mentoring connects individuals with experienced professionals who offer career guidance, insights into essential life skills, and professional development. These are all helpful in bridging the gap between education and real-world applications. Students who take advantage of New Dawn's internship program often experience professional mentorship with their colleagues.

Each type of mentorship plays a crucial role in developing well-rounded, capable individuals. However, we're going to focus on teacher-student mentoring, as that's what we've found most effective at NDCHS.

Why High School Mentoring Programs Work

One of the most famous studies on the efficacy of mentorship dates back to 1995, when a study of the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program was released. The research found that mentored youth earned higher grades than a similar group of young people who did not have mentors (Tierny, Grossman, & Resch, 1995).

However, a notable pain point of this study is that any statistically significant academic progress from students who were mentored were not necessarily sustained into the next school year. While this might seem contradictory to our point, it doesn't take into account the other aspects of mentorship that can provide significant benefits to students, particularly when it comes to social-emotional learning.

These kinds of gains are much harder to measure, but that doesn't mean they're not happening, nor worth highlighting. We know that first hand.

Here's what one of NDCHS's mentors had to say about the gains she saw a student experience through consistent mentorship:

"I mentored a student who struggled with low self-esteem and anxiety about her academic abilities, particularly in her English classes as she struggled with reading. She would often feel overwhelmed by the classwork and had difficulty asking for help, which led to a decline in her attendance and grades and a lack of confidence in her ability to pass her classes. In addition to my weekly check-ins with my mentees, I prioritize creating a safe and non-judgmental space for them to feel comfortable expressing their fears and frustrations.

"Our relationship allowed her to open up about her struggles and anxieties, and I was able to advocate for her requesting help from her teachers. Together, we set realistic goals, and I followed up and supported her as the weeks went by ensuring she was able to attain the set goals. I consistently acknowledged and celebrated her progress, no matter how small, boosting her confidence and motivation. My mentee’s attendance then increased as well as her academics as she began to connect more with her teachers, and trust that I was there to support her."

— Janisha Crawley, M.S. Ed M.A.S., Mentor and Lead School Counselor

What do educators hope to achieve through high school mentoring programs?

In 2015, the Department of Education decided to sponsor the National Survey on High School Strategies Designed to Help At-Risk Students Graduate (HSS). This study aimed to provide descriptive information on the prevalence and characteristics of dropout prevention strategies for at-risk students, so educators could better understand how to shape their mentorship programs.

In the survey mentioned above, educators serving students of differing poverty level, locales, and school graduation rates were asked to report their reasons for providing mentorship to students. Out of 704 schools surveyed, here are some of the reasons they gave for implementing their programs (outside of academics):

• To model positive and respectful behavior (81%)
• To prevent at-risk behavior (77%)
• To serve as a sounding board for personal concerns (70%)
• To develop conflict resolution skills (50%)
• To explore community resources to address individual needs (47%)
• To address family issues or concerns (47%)

What this survey also found is that low-graduation-rate schools were more likely than high graduation-rate schools to report that mentors served as resources in aspects beyond student academic support.

At New Dawn, that's exactly what we aim to provide. While our mentors work to fulfill each academic outcome mentioned above, one of the most critical aspects of our mentorship program is a push toward personal growth for students.

One NDCHS mentor describes how she saw one of her students grow:

"When I first met one of my mentees, initially she was very standoffish. She wouldn’t really talk to me. She always seemed upset and withdrawn.

"My mentorship (involved) staying consistent with speaking to her weekly (sometimes daily), calling and speaking with her mom, and checking on her wellbeing and her grades. One day, out of the blue, she came to me with a bright smile saying, 'Good morning Ms. Ashley!' I was so pleasantly surprised! We have maintained a good relationship ever since. This is proof mentorship works!"

— Ashley Hall, Mentor and Culinary Arts Instructor

The Outcomes of Mentorship

While better student performance, and career and college readiness are potential outcomes from mentorship, what it really brings to the table is a stronger sense of school community and student engagement.

Ashley Hall talked about her favorite memory from mentoring at NDCHS, saying:

"I was lucky enough to have a mentee that was also a student in my class. At the end of the spring semester, we took the students on a culinary field trip to a historical local bakery for some treats and then to another place for some authentic bbq. My mentee enjoyed herself, we all laughed and joked, took pictures of the beautiful views, and ate some delicious food. It was such a great experience being out of the kitchen and in a new environment to share with my mentee."

It's clear that mentorship is about more than boosting numbers or looking for better graduation outcomes (although that's a welcomed outcome). It's also about creating a learning environment with comprehensive resources for students who also need social, emotional, and personal support.

Experience Mentorship at New Dawn

New Dawn Charter High School is an excellent solution for over-aged, under-credited high schoolers who are under-served in traditional public schools. With educational resources and programs designed to empower their success, including a mentorship program, students are set up for success, whether that's through graduation or beyond. Interested in finding out more? Check out our admissions and enrollment page and schedule a tour today!