The grant will launch a new ‘Jobs for Washington’s Graduates’ (JWG) program at Mount Rainier High School, and will target students who are not on track to complete high school or successfully transition to a job or further education. A JWG program already exists at Puget Sound Skills Center.

JWG is a nationwide program that helps students overcome barriers, find a career path, and graduate with a plan to pursue either college or a career after high school. The program supports students with an array of services including:

Counseling,
Employability skills development,
Leadership and teamwork training,
Job development,
Job placement services that will result in either a quality career after graduation and/or enrollment in a postsecondary education and training program, and
Follow-up services after graduation.

“I am proud that our graduation rate is rising, but we remain committed to achieving our goal of graduating at least 95 percent of our students,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “This grant will help ensure that our students graduate with a diploma that is a ticket to the future of their choice.”

Highline and Federal Way Public Schools will each receive $30,000 to expand JWG programs.