JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A program offered in just a handful of Duval County public schools is hoping to expand to reach more students.
Elevate Jacksonville is a class focused on character-building, leadership skills and exposing students to options available to them after high school.
Reciting core values is how every Elevate Jacksonville class starts at Ribault High School.
Harlem Rogers, a student at Ribault High School, said the life skills she’s learning are going a long way.
“It established something in my heart that made me be able to speak more eloquently, and I love that about Elevate. I used to be very shy and very private,” Rogers said.
Elevate Jacksonville is an optional class for students, but they can get a credit toward graduation.
The curriculum includes lessons on things like:
- Character-building
- Education opportunities
- Decision-making
- Careers
“I feel like this program is really nice for people that want to have more of way into self-discovery, especially with the opportunities that they have to express themselves in a judgment, freeze zone,” Joshua Ghent, a sophomore at Ribault High School, said.
RELATED | New Florida law ensures public school coaches are trained in lifesaving skills
Elevate Jacksonville is currently offered as a class in four schools: Jean Ribault High School and Middle School along with Westside high and middle schools.
But the hope is that the number grows.
The program’s first class started back in 2019.
It’s not just limited to classroom instruction. The students get to go on different excursions and outings to help build on what they are being taught.
Executive Director Carla Austin said she wants these students to be equipped to mentor younger students as they move through the course.
“It just helps us move forward today’s young person. So that they can see all that is at their advantage, all that is at their disposal,” Austin said.
Adrian Toney and Marissa Clowers are teachers and mentors for Elevate Jacksonville. They said they hope this builds long-term, life-changing relationships.
“It is really impactful to see that there is more than just one way to look at life. Our students really help us to understand that. Yes, you may have a truth, but I have a truth as well,” Toney said.
Clowers said the program helps them connect with their students.
“A lot of the times, students feel like teachers or adults don’t necessarily understand what they are going through. Since we have the opportunity to spend more time with them outside of class, whether that is going and doing different activities, it gives us the space to show them that we are human, and they feel more comfortable to open up to us,” Clowers said.
For students like Rogers, the class seems to be working.
“Elevate gives me that platform to express my feelings and express my troubles and to actually be motivated to really accomplish what I want to get out of life,” Rogers said.
To learn more about Elevate Jacksonville visit this website.