About this role
General Definition of Work The job of Graduation Coach is to provide individualized support, advocacy, and coordination of services to assist students in successfully completing high school and preparing for postsecondary success. The Graduation Coach works collaboratively with students, families, school counselors, administrators, teachers, district staff, community partners, and the Graduation Plus Specialist to identify barriers to graduation, develop intervention plans, and connect students with academic, career, and community-based resources. The Graduation Coach supports the implementation of the district's graduation improvement initiatives by monitoring student progress toward graduation, coordinating interventions for students at risk of disengagement, and supporting access to Graduation Plus opportunities including career exploration, workforce pathways, industry credentials, dual enrollment, apprenticeships, military pathways, and postsecondary education. This position serves as a student advocate and school-based support person focused on increasing student engagement, persistence, graduation completion, and successful transitions beyond high school. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Salary/Status Support 1; 200 days/8 hours per day Reports To School Principal Place of Work The normal place of work is on the premises used by Rock Hill Schools. Rock Hill Schools reserves the right to require you to work at such other place(s) as it may reasonably require from time to time. Essential Functions Student Identification, Monitoring, and Intervention
• Identify, monitor, and provide support to students who are at risk of not graduating due to academic challenges, attendance concerns, credit deficiencies, behavioral concerns, mobility, or disengagement.
• Review student data including grades, credits, attendance, discipline, and graduation indicators to identify barriers and determine appropriate interventions.
• Develop and monitor individualized student success plans designed to support on-time graduation.
• Collaborate with school teams to coordinate interventions and monitor student progress.
• Support students recovering credits or participating in alternative pathways to graduation.
Graduation Support and Student Advocacy
• Meet regularly with assigned students to build relationships, establish goals, monitor progress, and provide encouragement toward graduation.
• Assist students in understanding graduation requirements, available pathways, and opportunities for completion.
• Collaborate with school counselors and administrators to support students with course planning, credit recovery, alternative placements, and transition plans.
• Support students who are repeating courses or grades by monitoring progress and coordinating needed supports.
• Assist students in overcoming barriers that impact their ability to remain engaged in school.
Attendance Improvement and Dropout Prevention
• Collaborate with attendance clerks, administrators, counselors, and families to address attendance concerns.
• Coordinate attendance intervention conferences for students experiencing chronic absenteeism.
• Contact parents/guardians of students with identified attendance concerns and provide support resources.
• Conduct home visits and community outreach, when appropriate, to support student engagement and re-entry.
• Identify and support students who have withdrawn, dropped out, or become disconnected from school.
• Assist with re-engagement efforts for students seeking to return to school.
Graduation Plus and Postsecondary Readiness Support
• Collaborate with the Graduation Plus Specialist and school-based teams to support student access to Graduation Plus opportunities.
• Promote awareness of career readiness pathways, credentials, internships, apprenticeships, dual enrollment, military opportunities, and postsecondary options.
• Assist students with identifying interests, strengths, goals, and next steps after graduation.
• Support students in completing applications, enrollment processes, financial aid requirements, credential opportunities, and career readiness activities.
• Maintain knowledge of available district and community opportunities to connect students with appropriate resources.
Family and Community Engagement
• Establish positive relationships with students, families, and community partners.
• Provide families with information regarding graduation requirements, student supports, and post-secondary opportunities.
• Connect students and families with community resources addressing barriers such as transportation, housing, employment, health services, and social-emotional needs.
• Coordinate referrals and maintain communication with external agencies supporting student success.
Collaboration and Communication
• Serve as a member of school-based student support teams.
• Collaborate with counselors, administrators, teachers, social workers, attendance personnel, and district departments.
• Communicate student progress, concerns, and intervention outcomes while maintaining confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate documentation of student contacts, interventions, referrals, and outcomes.
• Participate in professional learning related to graduation improvement, student engagement, attendance, and postsecondary readiness.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (Required) Knowledge:
• High school graduation requirements and pathways.
• Graduation improvement strategies and dropout prevention practices.
• Attendance intervention practices.
• Adolescent development and student engagement strategies.
• Career readiness and post-secondary opportunities.
• Community resources and referral processes.
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Confidentiality requirements related to student records.
Skills:
• Building meaningful relationships with students and families.
• Effective communication with diverse populations.
• Student advocacy and problem-solving.
• Case management and documentation.
• Data collection, analysis, and progress monitoring.
• Organization and management of multiple priorities.
• Collaboration with school personnel and community agencies.
• Conflict resolution and navigating challenging conversations
Abilities:
• Establish trusting relationships with students who may experience barriers to success.
• Analyze student needs and develop appropriate action plans.
• Work independently while collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
• Manage sensitive situations involving students and families.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Communicate effectively with students, families, staff, and community partners.
• Adapt to changing student needs and district priorities.
Special Requirements Prior to employment, paraprofessionals requirements must be met with the requirements listed below. (Paraprofessional documents must be submitted with the application)
• Minimum employment requirements; at least 60 semester hours earned at an accredited institution of higher education; or an associate's degree (or higher); or a South Carolina approved state or local academic assessment that measures the paraprofessional's knowledge of and ability to assist in instruction at the appropriate level.
• Paraprofessionals may meet the assessment requirement by passing the Paraprofessional Assessment (ETS.org). The minimum passing score on this test is 456. After August 31, 2026, the ParaPro assessment is discontinued and replaced by the ParaPathways assessment
• Prior to employment you must present negative TB test results
Physical Requirements/Work Conditions
• Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms and occasionally required to sit.
• Frequently squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and reach forward.
• Frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this position.
• Must be able to occasionally lift or physically support students during the day in compliance with safety guidelines.
• May occasionally push/pull items such as tables and seating. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Will regularly work indoors and may occasionally work outdoors.
• Will work near moving mechanical equipment and may occasionally work near or with toxic or caustic chemicals such as petroleum products, degreasers, and sprays.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Frequent interruptions and immediate attention to unexpected situations are expected.
Disclaimer The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job. Job description is sourced from employee interviews, internal documents, representative job descriptions in similar districts, and other state/federal agencies. The district reserves the right to modify the job description based on the needs of the district. Rock Hill Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.