Hooks High School Mentoring Program

A mentor is a suitable model who takes an active interest in the life of a student and is committed to serving as a guide, friend, counselor, coach.  A mentor is a person who is mature, secure, flexible, patient, confident, warm and caring, outgoing, tolerant – someone is above all interested in helping.

Mentors will also find value in this program as they can make a significant difference in the life of one of these student stars of the future.  Some of them include:

• Play a significant role in the lives of young adults by serving as a coach, counselor and role model;
• Receive personal satisfaction by helping a student realize his or her potential;
• Apply key learnings obtained through the relationship to assist in your own day to day activities;
• Assist with developing these youth to become contributors to their communities

Best Practices

MISSION:

The Improving College Access Through Mentoring Program mission is to provide an environment which seeks to improve student achievement through personal outreach…… Matching deserving students with positive adult role models to make a significant difference in the lives of those students served.

The Program will begin with 10 mentors focused as a school-based, self-esteem building, college bound program to match Freshman and Sophomore students who were unmotivated or have low self-esteem with a positive role model and adult friend.  Student and adult mentors will meet for 30 minutes per week throughout the entire school year in person or via telephone.

The Program will begin with a small group to effectively implement this approach at the High School.  We are targeting Freshman and Sophomore students as we believe there will be a longer runway to impact a positive outcome.  The intent will be to continue the mentorship throughout their High School years.

PURPOSE:

The Improving College Access Through Mentoring Program is designed to keep students focused and encouraged to attend college.  This approach will provide freshman and sophomore high school students with a successful runway to maximize their postsecondary education experience. 

Mentoring programs have gained immense popularity as a means of assisting low-income, first generation, and underrepresented students to enroll and succeed in postsecondary education. Research on college programs indicates the single most important feature of those that are reported to be successful with individual students is a close, caring relationship with a knowledgeable adult who monitors the student’s progress. Underrepresented youth are perhaps most significantly impacted by mentoring relationships. Outreach programs and schools that utilize this proven activity to increase the access of underrepresented students in higher education provide support for preparing students for college.

PROGRAM BENEFITS:

Program Elements

Mentee Selection
The students will be selected using criteria agreed upon by the school and The Grace Fort Gouldsby Scholarship Foundation. The High School will develop a questionnaire that will be used with Freshman and Sophomore teachers to select the 10 students to participate in the Program.  We will look at individuals that otherwise would not seek continuing education.  This can ultimately increase making exploration attainable and appealing to selected students, which maximizes a more successful and positive outcome.

Mentor Recruitment, Recognition & Retention
Volunteer mentors for The Improving College Access Through Mentoring Program will be recruited.  We will initially reach out to past graduates of Hooks High School for a better relationship building who have a college/university degree. We will also consider recruiting volunteers from a number of different corporations, social, civic, and municipal organizations, retiree and alumni groups, faith-based organizations as well as from the community-at-large.

• Recruitment & Screening - Based on school needs assessments, volunteers will be recruited, interviewed and screened. Job performance, personal references, criminal checks and other evidence of character and reliability are required.

On-going Mentor Training & Support
Mentors must attend a training session prior to beginning their meetings with their assigned mentees. Tips, Strategies & Activities and other resources will be provided to all new mentors to utilize during their weekly meetings. Individual requests for meetings with either the liaison or High School Counselor are always welcomed and encouraged.

Training & Orientation
Mentors will learn about liability issues, confidentiality, how to instill self-esteem, goal setting and the role of the family in the program. At the orientation meeting, they will hear about a typical day in the life of a student, scheduling procedures, and check-in requirements.  Mentors will receive tips, strategies, and activities for their weekly sessions.

Matching Mentor to Mentee
A profile questionnaire will be completed by both Mentors & Mentees. School staff will use a specific set of criteria to recommend students for the program. Special interests of volunteers are matched with those of mentees. Mentors sign a release agreement and parental permission will be obtained.

Weekly Sessions
Mentors will spend a minimum of 30 minutes each week with their mentee. They build self-esteem, emotional support, encourage more school involvement by reinforcing values and being there as a friend. Mentors will assist with career options, school-to-career transition, interviewing skills, community service, college plans, and academic performance.

Program Evaluation – Measurable Outcomes
Personal growth of students is evaluated by attendance records, anecdotal information from teachers about work habits, academic performance, and a pre-post self-esteem inventory. Teachers, mentors, and parents evaluate the program and its impact on mentees.

• Parental Assessment
• Attendance Records
• Grades
• Anecdotal feedback from teachers/counselor
• Pre & Post Self-Esteem inventory by student
• Mentor assessment
• As the students enter their senior year we will monitor and track the increase in the number of students attending college as compared to prior graduating seniors.  

Year-End Celebrations & Renewal
Communication with teachers and parents will be on-going. At year-end, mentors will attend celebrations at school and system wide where they are honored and thanked. Summer activities are suggested. Renewal for another year will be pledged.  This will be handled by Grace Fort Gouldsby Scholarship Foundation.

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Meet Past Recipients

Become a Mentor