Graduation Coach

Acceleration Academies; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to $50k salary

401(k) match

Insurance coverage

Flexible time off

Sick time

Holidays

Wellness program

Referral incentives

Professional development

Equipment provided

Job summary

Acceleration Academies is seeking a Graduation Coach to support Graduation Candidates with individualized tutoring, scheduling, and resource connections to improve academic performance and readiness for postsecondary paths.

You will monitor grades, attendance, and behavior, intervening early to address barriers and help students stay on track toward graduation and career goals. This grant-funded role emphasizes outcomes and partnership with schools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at‑risk youth.
• SCDE Educators Certification with CTE Endorsement and/or GCDF preferred.
• Background check demonstrated clear state and federal history.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish).
• Strong understanding of ESE, ELL, and behavior intervention practices.

Responsibilities

• Track students' grades, attendance, and behavior to identify issues early and intervene.
• Coordinate interventions based on learning trends to prevent setbacks.
• Collect and document student achievement data weekly via the LMS.
• Help students explore career paths and set clear goals.
• Provide learning opportunities in test-taking, resume writing, and college/job applications.
• Guide students toward postsecondary readiness and work-based opportunities.
• Foster soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management.
• Connect students with internships, shadowing, and career exploration programs.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Mentoring

Problem-solving

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

LMS

Job description

At Acceleration Academies, we partner with school districts to support Graduation Candidates in earning their high school diploma through flexible scheduling, personalized learning, and a focus on outcomes. Our approach is designed to meet Graduation Candidates (Students) where they are and help them make meaningful progress toward graduation and long-term success. Every student deserves the chance to walk across the stage and experience the pride, relief, and sense of accomplishment that comes with it. We are committed to providing the support and partnership to help make that possible.

The Role

The Graduation Coach works closely with Graduation Candidates to understand their individual needs, strengths, and areas of struggle, offering tailored academic support through tutoring, organizing study schedules, and connecting students with academic resources to improve performance. The Graduation Coach is responsible for tracking grades, attendance, and behavior to proactively identify potential barriers to graduation and intervening by working with the Graduation Candidate to create a learning plan that prevents falling behind in academic achievement.

Beyond academic support, the Graduation Coach guides students toward career readiness, helping them connect their academic effort to postsecondary goals, whether college, vocational training, military, or the workforce, in alignment with the SC Accountability Manual.

this position is a temporary grant funded position, funded through July 2027. This position reports to the Academy or District Director.

Key Responsibilities

Monitoring & Intervention

• Track students' grades, attendance, and behavior to identify potential issues before they become barriers to graduation, and intervene early when students show signs of falling behind.
• Facilitate interventions based on trends identified as potential setbacks to academic achievement.
• Collect student academic achievement data from the LMS weekly and document responses, including contact with the GC, communication with the corresponding Content Coach on low-achievement data, and revisions to the GC schedule to foster additional learning opportunities.

Identifying & Addressing Barriers

• Identify external factors affecting students' academic performance, such as family problems, mental health challenges, or socioeconomic difficulties.
• Connect students with services that help address these barriers so they can focus on academics.
• Facilitate communication between students, teachers, and parents to create a support network that reinforces academic achievement and consistent messaging.
• Help students explore career paths based on their interests, strengths, and academic performance, and set clear career goals.
• Provide learning opportunities in test-taking strategies, math basics, and resume writing, and prepare students for the state career assessment, college and job applications, the ASVAB, and other postsecondary readiness assessments.
• Provide guidance on college applications, scholarships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities.
• Help students build soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management.
• Connect students with internships, job shadowing, and career exploration programs.
• Monitor progress and adjust academic plans to align with the skills and qualifications needed for students' career goals.

What We’re Looking For

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher

Experience: 3 years of relevant experience in educational support, case management, or working with at‑risk youth.

License/Certification: SCDE Educators Certification, with CTE Endorsement and/or GCDF certification preferred.

Background Check: Demonstration of a clear state and federal criminal history.

Bilingual preferred (Spanish).

Proficient understanding of ESE (Exceptional Student Education), ELL (English Language Learner), and behavior intervention practices.

Experience working in a non-traditional school setting and/or with youth who may be considered at‑risk.

Demonstrated commitment and passion for supporting high‑school‑aged youth who have disengaged from a traditional school setting, creating opportunities for academic and personal breakthroughs.

Experience reviewing transcripts and a general understanding of graduation requirements.

Experience providing supports, interventions, and counseling services with high‑school‑aged youth.

Strong understanding of and comfort with the use of technology in an educational setting.

Experience with project-based learning, instructional coaching, portfolio assessment, competency-based education, cooperative learning, integration of technology and cross-disciplinary learning, alternative assessments, and integrating school-to-career experiences into the curriculum.

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: up to $50,000
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match to support your long‑term financial goals
• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision plans, along with FSA options, company‑paid life insurance, supplemental life insurance, disability coverage, and additional protections, including hospital indemnity, critical illness, and accident insurance
• Flexible Time Off: Designed to support balance and time to recharge
• Sick Time: Dedicated time for when you need it most
• Company Paid Holidays
• Wellness Support: Employer‑paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources
• Employee Referral Incentives: Opportunities to earn rewards for helping us grow our team
• Professional Development: Ongoing opportunities to build skills and grow within the organization
• Company-Provided Equipment: Tools and technology to support your success in the role

Why Join the Team

At Acceleration Academies, you will be part of a team focused on helping Graduation Candidates reach one of the most important milestones in their lives. You will play a direct role in driving outcomes, supporting academy teams, and ensuring Graduation Candidates stay on track toward graduation, all alongside a team committed to doing the work the right way.

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

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere.

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.

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.