JAG Program

JAG Program @ MHS
Posted on 10/14/2021

JAG Program at MHS is Off to a Great Start
By: Sarah Keithley
#BulldogNationAheadofthePack

  In 2021-22, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is celebrating its 40th year as a national non-profit organization. In Mexico JAG is in its 4th year of operations in the alternative program and is a new program at Mexico High School.  JAG is dedicated to helping students who have potential, but also are facing significant barriers, including poverty, a challenging home life, and a history of trauma.  JAG helps these students graduate from high school and make positive transitions to post-secondary education and/or a meaningful career. JAG focuses on a set of core competencies that prepare students to succeed in the workforce.

  The JAG Advantage includes three key elements: 1) developing core competencies using Project-Based Learning strategies; 2) providing trauma-informed care;  and 3) facilitating career opportunities through employer engagement.  With this approach, JAG has consistently achieved graduation rates of 90 percent or higher for participating students.  JAG currently serves more than 76,000 students in 1,500 communities in 40 states, including Missouri.  

  JAG-Missouri was established in 1980 and as of July 1, 2017, it became its own nonprofit organization with a statewide board co-chaired by Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson. In high school programs like the ones we have here in Mexico, it is an in-school program with the class counting as an elective toward graduation.  In 2014-15, there were six programs in six schools in JAG-Missouri serving about 225 students.  In 2021-22, there are 99 programs in 67 schools serving about 3,500 students across the state.  Since it was established, JAG has served more than 1.5 million students nationwide.

  If you are interested in learning more about our Jobs for America's Graduates programs here in Mexico, please contact Mr. Oliver Brilhante and Ms. Sarah Keithley through their Mexico Public Schools email addresses listed below. We would love to talk with/share with you all of the amazing things that JAG does right here in Mexico, Missouri!  You can also follow our Mexico JAG programs through their Facebook pages and Instagram accounts.

 Mexico High School JAG Program
Mr. Oliver Brilhante - [email protected]
Facebook Page : Mexico High School Jobs for America's Graduates

 Mexico Alternative JAG Program
Ms. Sarah Keithley - [email protected]
Facebook Page: Mexico 59 Alternative
Instagram: @MexAltEducation