Graduation Candidate Advocate

Acceleration Academies; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match

Comprehensive insurance coverage

Flexible paid time off

Employer-paid wellness support

Professional development reimbursement

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Acceleration Academies is seeking a Graduation Candidate Advocate in North Charleston, South Carolina to support students in earning their high school diploma. This role focuses on building meaningful relationships and acting as a mentor to provide essential academic and non-academic support.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, a commitment to student success, and will participate in outreach efforts. Benefits include competitive pay starting at $22.50 per hour and a comprehensive insurance package.

Qualifications

• 0-2 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at-risk youth.
• A genuine commitment to supporting disengaged students.

Responsibilities

• Assist with registration and enrollment process for new students.
• Provide support during student orientation.
• Act as case manager monitoring student attendance.
• Conduct proactive outreach for retention efforts.
• Engage in professional development activities.

Skills

Strong relationship-building

Excellent communication

Adaptability

Collaborative work

Education

Associate degree preferred

Tools

Learning management systems

Educational technology tools

Job description

The Role

The Graduation Candidate Advocate is at the heart of our mission, building meaningful relationships with students 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

• Assist with the registration and enrollment process for new students.
• Provide comprehensive support during student orientation to set the stage for success.

Retention and Attendance

• Act as a case manager for a designated cohort of students, 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 student attendance and retention records.

Recruitment

• Contribute to canvassing and recruitment efforts to attract new students.
• Deliver one‑on‑one academic support and interventions to facilitate student learning and complement the work of center professionals.
• Collaborate closely with the student support team to track learning pathways, monitor behavior, and implement transition plans, including incentive programs to bolster student achievement.
• Utilize the Learning Management System and other technology resources to monitor and facilitate student progress and maintain up‑to‑date academic records, including attendance.
• Engage in professional development activities to enhance academic support practices.

Advocacy

• Advocate for students by 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 maintaining student records.
• 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 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 supporting students who 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.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Starting at $22.50 an hour.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match.
• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options.
• 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.
• Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs.
• Bonus Opportunities: 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.

Essential Duties

• 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.