Peer Group Connection

PGC-HS is an evidence-based and school based program that supports and eases student’s transition from Middle School to High School.  The program relies on the experience of older students to create a nurturing environment for freshmen. PGC-HS includes a year-long, credit-bearing leadership course for high school juniors .These students become trained peer leaders who meet once each week with freshmen in outreach sessions designed to strengthen relationships among students across grades.

PGC-HS relies on a stakeholder team that includes:

• Administrators
• Teaching faculty
• Parents
• Additional community members
• Peer leaders
• Leadership class is led by two faculty advisors trained to run the course

The PGC curriculum hopes to achieve the following goals:

• Focus on key transition years in efforts to improve students’ sense of school connectedness.
• Understand the strategies and actions of an evidence-based peer group mentoring model that enhances school connectedness
• Decrease dropout rates, reduce bullying, and improve overall student performance