Achievers for Life

Helping Children and Youth Achieve Their Full Potential

Achievers For Life is a voluntary program currently offered in the following Duval County middle schools: Arlington, Chaffee Trail, DuPont, Highlands, Matthew Gilbert, Oceanway, Ribault, Stilwell Military Academy, Westside, and Young Men / Women’s Leadership Academy.

The Achievers for Life program assists in the transition to middle school for 6th grade students and provides support to students’ families. The support continues during 7th and 8th grade with students receiving academic assistance, guidance and social/emotional support during the school day. Staff keeps parents informed of student progress and helps provide ways to enhance learning.

“The results speak for themselves. Achievers For Life’s components of mentors, family engagement and the extra focus on struggling students are helping to put students on track for success. From faculty to students to parents, every participant group in Achievers For Life is positive about its impact. Achievers For Life is an excellent example of a successful public/private partnership, and with all of us working together, we can provide the initiative to every 6th grade student who will benefit from this strategic support.”

– Ed Pratt-Dannals, former Superintendent, Duval County Public Schools

Targeted students have exhibited one or more of the following warning signs of school disengagement:

  • Low scores in Reading and/or Math

  • Regular absences

  • Low grades in Core subjects

JFCS Family Advocates and therapists work closely with the families of these identified students, providing wrap around services to strengthen the family and help the student improve in school. If the family system is strengthened at home, the child will be strengthened at school.

On average, AFL student success includes:

  • Reduction in school absences

  • 20-25% improvement  in student GPA

  • Promotion rate improved by 96% for those engaged in the program

For more information or to enroll your child in the AFL program, contact Matthew Birt at 904.859.3922 or mbirt@jfcsjax.org

This program is possible thanks to a partnership with United Way of Northeast Florida and in collaboration with Duval County Public Schools and Communities in Schools of Jacksonville