Graduation Candidate Advocate

Acceleration Academies; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible Paid Time Off

Wellness resources

Employee referral bonuses

Certification reimbursement

Job summary

Acceleration Academies in Georgia seeks a Graduation Candidate Advocate to support students toward earning a high school diploma through mentorship, academic and non‑academic guidance, and flexible problem solving.

The role is relationship‑driven and requires consistent outreach, attendance monitoring, recruitment collaboration, and active participation in center operations. Competitive pay starts at $18.00/hour with a strong benefits package.

Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at-risk youth.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills; adaptable and collaborative.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students.
• Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success.
• Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students and monitor attendance.
• Implement the Retention Protocol through proactive outreach (texts, calls, home visits).
• Identify root causes of disengagement and remove barriers; not just complete outreach.
• Utilize technology tools for daily monitoring and retention records.
• Contribute to canvassing and recruitment to attract new students.
• Deliver one-on-one academic support and interventions to facilitate learning.
• Collaborate with the student support team to track learning pathways and behavior.
• Partner with team members to solve student challenges and improve engagement.
• Engage in professional development to enhance academic support practices.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Adaptability

Collaboration

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Learning Management Systems

Educational technology tools

Job description

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 withstudentsto support their journey toward earning their high school diploma.Graduation Candidate Advocatesact as mentors andadvocates, providing both academic and non‑academic support while fostering an environment wherestudentsfeel 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

• 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).
• Identify root causes of disengagement and work to remove barriers not just complete outreach attempts
• Utilize technology tools for efficient daily monitoring and maintenance ofstudentattendance and retention records.

Recruitment

• Contribute to canvassing and recruitment efforts to attract newstudents.
• 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.
• Partner with team members to problem‑solve student challenges and improve engagement outcomes
• 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,
• Participate actively in academy meetings and school or community events.
• Support home visits and local travel, as needed, to re‑engage students
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the overall mission of the academy.

What We’re Looking For

Education: Associate degree preferred, but equivalent experience in education, youth mentorship, or case management will be considered.

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

• 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.

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.

• 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.