JAG-Missouri will enter the 2022-23 school year on a high note, having received multiple awards from JAG National for performance last year. JAG-Missouri received awards for overall state success, as well as awards for performance at the school and individual levels. The awards were announced during the national training in mid-July and presented during the state training the following week.
JAG is a national program that helps students who have potential, but who also have significant barriers to overcome, including poverty, a challenging family life, and trauma they have experienced in their lives. JAG helps those students reach their full potential by first graduating from high school and being successful at whatever career they choose to enter.
In 2022-23, JAG-Missouri will serve more than 4,000 students in 104 programs in 74 schools across Missouri. JAG-Missouri offers middle school programs, multi-year high school programs, and alternative programs.
Middle school programs focus on good decision-making, leadership development, career exploration, and basic employability skills. High school programs focus on career exploration, employability skills, resume development, interview skills, and work experience.
Since its founding in 1979, JAG has served more than 1.5 million students, achieving a national graduation rate of 90 percent or higher every year of its existence. The last six years JAG-Missouri’s graduation rate has been 97% or above. In 2022-23, JAG will serve more than 76,000 students in 39 states, including Missouri.
National awards for JAG performance
State “5 of 5” Award
For the sixth consecutive year, JAG-Missouri received the JAG National “5 of 5” award for meeting or exceeding the five key performance measures identified by JAG for the traditional high school programs. It was also awarded JAG National “5 of 5” award for alternative school programs. The results included:
School “5 of 5” Award
21 JAG-Missouri Multi-year and Senior programs received the “5 of 5” award. They include:
- Aurora High School
- Bolivar High School
- Caruthersville High School
- Cassville High School
- Charleston High School
- Farmington High School
- Herculaneum High School
- Hillsboro High School
- Jennings High School
- Kennett High School
- McDonald County High School
- Pacific High School
- Portageville High School
- Risco High School
- Riverview Gardens High School
- Smith-Cotton High School
- South Pemiscot High School
- Van Buren High School
- Vashon High School
- Versailles-Morgan County High School
- West Plains High School
Five JAG-Missouri Alternative programs received the “5 of 5” award. They include:
- Cape Girardeau Central Academy
- Hazelwood Opportunity Center
- Lebanon Hillcrest Education Center
- Study Alternative High School
- West Plains Zizzer Pride Academy
National Awards for JAG Specialists
The JAG-Missouri teachers are called Specialists. A number of them were recognized by JAG National for outstanding achievement during 2021-22.
Outstanding Specialists
- Matt Cantrell, Arcadia Valley
- Shannon Davis, Neelyville
- Cody Hunter, Herculaneum
- Amanda McKee, Dora
High Performers
- Holly Harmon, Aurora School District
- Paul Kincaid, Former Executive Director of JAG Missouri
- The Missouri Office of Workforce Development
Peak Performers
- Shantra Tucker – Bolivar – Average Barriers Removed
- Brandon Johnson – Lebanon HEC – Average Competency Attainment
- Shantra Tucker – Bolivar – Average Contact Hours
- Joan Dietrich – West Plains and Tracey Burns – Stockton for Average Contact Hours
Buford Awards
JAG-Missouri was founded in 1980 – the first Executive Director was Mr. James H. “Jim” Buford – in fact, Mr. Buford was in the room in Delaware in 1979 with JAG President Ken Smith and Governor Pete DuPont when JAG was officially launched. In his honor, the JAG-Missouri Board of Directors established the James H. Buford Award to be awarded to these outstanding programs:
- Malden High School
- Stockton Alternative
- Jackson Middle School
Kudos
“We are so proud of all our specialists, and the schools that are a part of JAG-Missouri. The work they put in all year long is impacting the lives of young people all over the state. The times are challenging, and there are a lot of students that depend on JAG. This program would not be possible without everyone doing their part. I am pleased that JAG National has recognized the efforts of these specialists; as well as, Mr. Paul Kincaid (former Executive Director) and the Missouri Office of Workforce Development. We are ready for this next school year!” – Chris Patrick, Executive Director of JAG-Missouri.