City Year Jacksonville is a transformative educational support program powered by AmeriCorps that partners with public schools to help bridge the gap between what students need and what schools are often resourced to provide. At the heart of the program is a team of diverse, highly trained, and full-time Student Success Coaches who dedicate a year of service to supporting students and strengthening school communities. These coaches serve as consistent, near-peer mentors who work closely with teachers, staff, and administrators to provide targeted academic support, social-emotional encouragement, and attendance coaching to students who need it most.
In the classroom, City Year members are embedded throughout the school day, facilitating small group instruction, helping with lesson reinforcement, guiding classroom management strategies, and ensuring students receive personalized attention and motivation. They work intentionally with students in need of Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports, providing both academic intervention and mentorship that helps students build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset.
Beyond the classroom, City Year Jacksonville plays a significant role in enhancing school culture and climate. Success Coaches organize and lead school-wide events, family engagement initiatives, community service projects, and student leadership opportunities that help foster a sense of belonging and school pride. Their presence extends into hallways, lunchrooms, and arrival and dismissal, creating a school-wide culture of care, consistency, and encouragement.
The impact of City Year Jacksonville is both immediate and long-term, improving attendance, boosting course performance, and helping students grow emotionally and socially. Equally important, they support school staff by being reliable partners in student development and community-building. Their service helps ensure that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. Simply put, City Year Jacksonville is not just a program—it’s a powerful investment in people, potential, and the future of our schools.