WHO WE SERVE

High School Students in Need

Mentors Care comes to the aid of high school students considered to be susceptible to failing or not graduating from high school due to poor academic performance. We serve school districts in suburban and rural areas where there are little to no resources available to support the overall well-being and academic success of struggling students.

Why Only High School Students?

Mentors Care is unique in that we serve only high school students because most mentoring programs for high school students fail or do not flourish. With our specialized and proven program model, we have seen large numbers of our students graduate from high school, further their education, and become viable and skilled employees within our local workforce.

Why Do We Need a Mentoring Program?

Number of '21-'22 Mentored Students

*numbers represent students in the program for any length of time. All students are considered to be struggling or at risk of not graduating

It is a common misconception that high schools within our rural or suburban Texas communities do not have to address the problems often associated with students in need, but the reality is that they exist in every community. A struggling student could be failing in classes, socially going down a wrong road, excessively absent from school, or struggling with home life. The National Center for Education Statistics lists the following factors commonly associated with academically struggling students:

  • Living in a single parent home

  • Changing schools at non-traditional times

  • Below average grades in middle school

  • Being held back in school through grade retention

  • Havning older siblings who left high school before
    completion

  • Negative peer pressure

For full list of criteria, visit the TEA Accountability
and Research page.

40% of Texas HS Students Are Considered to be Struggling Academically

These High Schoolers:

  • Have the highest impact on our HS dropout rate

  • Are disconnected from parents, peers and educators

  • Are offered few, if any, social programs

  • Lack proper support at home and/or school

  • 60% are Economically Disadvantaged

  • 70% of those who were economically disadvantaged dropped out last year, ultimately costing school districts approximately $8,600 per student each year.