iJAG Program Coming to FDSH

January 28, 2019, Fort Dodge, IA-  Beginning in the fall of 2019, Fort Dodge Senior High will partner with the Iowa/Illinois Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) program to offer students project based learning through real-world applications.  The goal is to help create a future ready workforce for our community.

iJAG provides participants with classroom and work-based learning experiences that result in a quality job, leading to a fulfilling career after graduation.  Through projects, iJAG students learn how to apply knowledge and use it to solve problems, answer complex questions and create high-quality products.

iJAG mentors students who are at the highest risk of disengaging from school or dropping out of school without the skills and motivation needed to succeed in higher education and the workforce. The program teaches 37 competencies comprised of six skill sets: personal, leadership, communication, job attainment, job success and career development.

“This partnership will allow some of our high school students the opportunity to discover their talents and develop skills needed to reach their full potential,” said Dr. Jesse Ulrich, superintendent. “It will help us reach our goal of keeping students in high school through graduation by engaging them in hands-on, meaningful learning in a combined classroom and professional setting.”

iJAG touts a 94 percent graduation rate.  Students involved in the iJAG program increase their school attendance by an average of seven days per school year.  Nearly 85 percent of iJAG students secure full time employment following graduation and 38 percent further their education.

“These are the type of results we want for our students,” Ulrich said. “The iJAG program will help us prepare our students to be responsible and productive members of our community.”   

The mission of the Fort Dodge Community School District is to provide quality learning experiences and build relationships that develop productive citizens ready for their futures. For more information about the Fort Dodge Community Schools visit www.fdschools.org or call 515.576.1161.  Our Schools. Our Community. Our Pride.

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