Graduation Candidate Advocate

Acceleration Academies; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting at $18.00 per hour

401(k) with up to 4% match

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Flexible Paid Time Off

Mental health resources

Referral bonuses

Certification reimbursement

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Acceleration Academies seeks a Graduation Candidate Advocate to build relationships with students, supporting their path to high school graduation through academic and non-academic guidance.

You’ll lead enrollment, retention, and advocacy efforts, coordinating with the student-support team to remove barriers and promote progress. This role emphasizes persistence and proactive outreach.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required, or 2 years of study at an accredited institution, or ParaPro Exam.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support or case management.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Adaptability and ability to collaborate in a dynamic environment.
• Passion for helping disengaged students succeed.
• Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist with enrollment and the enrollment process for new students.
• Provide one-on-one academic support and interventions.
• Serve as mentor and advocate for students.
• Monitor attendance and maintain records.
• Outreach to re-engage disengaged students.
• Collaborate with support teams to track learning pathways.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Adaptability

Collaboration

Education

Associate degree / 2 years of college

ParaPro Exam

Tools

Learning Management System

Job description

About Acceleration Academies

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.

About Acceleration Academies

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.

The Role

The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships withstudents to support their journey toward earning their high school diploma. Graduation Candidate Advocates act as mentors and advocates, providing both academic and non-academic support while fostering an environment where students feel valued and empowered.

This role is highly relationship-driven and persistence-focused, requiring consistent outreach, problem-solving, and a commitment to understanding and removing barriers that prevent students from attending and progressing. This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to build experience in education, student support, or case management.

Key Responsibilities

Enrollment

• Assist with the registration and enrollment process for newstudents.
• Provide comprehensive support duringstudentorientation to set the stage for success.

Retention and Attendance

• Act as a case manager for a designated cohort ofstudents, monitoring and documenting regular attendance.
• Implement the Acceleration Academy Retention Protocol through proactive outreach (e.g., texts, calls, home visits).
• Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance of studentattendance and retention records.

Recruitment

• Contribute to canvassing and recruitment efforts to attract newstudents.

Academics

• Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitatestudentlearning and complement the work of center professionals.
• Collaborate closely with thestudentsupport team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans, including incentive programs to bolsterstudentachievement.
• Utilize the Learning Management System and other technology resources to monitor and facilitatestudentprogress and maintain up-to-date academic records, including attendance.
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices.

Advocacy

• Advocateforstudentsby assisting in identifying solutions and connecting them to academy staff for academic and non-academic support.

Operations

• Provide daily operational support for the academy, such as answering phones and maintainingstudentrecords.
• Participate actively in academy meetings and school or community events.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy.

What We’re Looking For

Education:

Associate degree required, or Completion of at least 2 years of study at an accredited institution of higher education, OR A passing score on the ParaPro Exam (state- or district-approved assessment demonstrating readiness to assist in reading, writing, and math instruction).

Experience:

0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at-risk youth.

Skills:

Strong relationship-building, excellent communication, adaptability, and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

Passion:

A genuine commitment to supportingstudentswho have disengaged from traditional schooling and a drive to help them succeed.

Technology:

Proficiency with learning management systems and educational technology tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred!)
• Experience in non-traditional educational settings.
• Comfort with project-based and competency-based learning approaches.

Why Join Us?

Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team that’s dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you’ll directly impact students’ lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation.

We Value Our Team’s Well-being

• Competitive Compensation: Starting at $18.00 an hour
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match to help secure your future.
• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones.
• Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable FTO.
• Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources.
• Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team.
• Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth.
• Bonus Opportunities: Celebrating milestones and achievements with performance-based bonuses.

Physical & Work Environment

• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds
• Work in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during events
• Occasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage

Equal Opportunity Employer

Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Responsibilities

All roles at Acceleration Academies include core responsibilities that are fundamental to student success and overall academy operations. Applicants should carefully review the job description to ensure they can meet these requirements. Essential duties typically include:

• Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours
• On-site presence (for roles designated as in-person/onsite)
• Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations
• Ability to perform job functions in an open, student-centered workspace

If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role.