Not every student’s path to graduation is linear. Academic setbacks, family circumstances, or disruptions outside of school can cause students to fall behind or disengage.
Catch up and re-engagement supports exist to help students navigate those moments and continue moving forward. United Way of Central Iowa funded partners, including Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG), By Degrees, and Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) Options Academy, provide flexible pathways that help students recover credits, rebuild confidence, and stay connected to school.
“Graduation isn’t about never stumbling,” said Kate Bennett, Community Impact Officer at United Way of Central Iowa. “It’s about whether there are supports in place to help students recover when life gets in the way.”
At DMPS Options Academy, students receive credit recovery, mentoring, and personalized support designed to meet them where they are.
“Our job is to help students reconnect with school and see a path forward,” said Amanda Dvorak, Options Academy Administrator. “When students realize there’s still a way to graduate, it changes how they see themselves and their future.”
United Way’s investment in re-engagement programs reflects the belief that setbacks should not define outcomes. Rising graduation rates reflect systems that offer second chances and sustained encouragement.
|
|
Bac Chol (left) and Cayden Armstrong (right) are proof that a setback is not the end of the story. With support from DMPS Options Academy, they found new paths forward, rebuilt confidence, and earned their high school diplomas.