September 20, 2022 – Decatur Public School students who are working to graduate with both their high school diploma and Associates degree will have some extra guidance along the way thanks to a new mentorship program.
DPS Freshmen and Sophomores enrolled in the Prep Academy diploma + degree program have a little more on their plate as they work to complete dual credit courses at school and with Richland Community College. The free program, which is in its second year, has 107 students enrolled this year and the program is hoping to give them added support.
DPS staff and leadership have signed up to mentor students enrolled in the program. Each mentor will meet with their mentees periodically throughout the school year to give them encouragement and help with any problems the students may encounter in this rigorous program to get their Associate’s degree in the same four years as they earn their high school diploma. Students were split into groups of 4-5 and assigned an individual mentor that will check in with them monthly. Students had an opportunity to meet their mentors for the first time during a meet and greet that included an “academic check-up” and some ice breaker exercises.
In addition, Ashley Grayned, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Innovative Programs at DPS, says they have also developed a college mentor program with adjunct professors of Richland Community College and Millikin University. Those mentors will be available to Prep Academy students before and after school to provide additional academic assistance.
“I think the challenge for the students is the adjustment period, the higher level of rigor, the higher course load, a higher level of expectations. It’s a different experience from High School to College” said Grayned. “I think other challenges include juggling their dual credit classes and the balance of their high school courses.”
In their second year of the program, students will spend half of the day at either Eisenhower or MacArthur and the other half of the day at Richland Community College. Students are expected to carry a C average or above in order to take part in the program. This year, DPS will also be providing the Prep Academy students with MacBooks which will give them more of the tools required in their college-level courses.
