First Week Wins at Jacksonville Middle School
The first week of school always brings energy, challenges, and fresh opportunities. At Jacksonville Middle School (JMS), nearly 1,000 students filled the halls with excitement for a new year, and City Year Student Success Coaches were right there to welcome them.
From learning names to building trust in the classroom, those first days are full of small but powerful wins. For Student Success Coach Montrez Deal, now in his third year of service, the week was a reminder of why this work matters.
“This year is an opportunity to take on new leadership responsibilities, strengthen my impact in the community, and continue growing both professionally and personally,” Montrez shared.
At JMS, the numbers tell part of the story—57% of students identify as Black/African American, 46% come from low-income households, and 17% receive special education services. But behind every statistic is a student eager to learn, connect, and succeed.
In just the first week, Corps members celebrated wins big and small: helping students settle into routines, encouraging participation during lessons, and offering support to those adjusting to middle school for the first time. These moments set the tone for a year of growth, both for students and for the AmeriCorps members serving alongside them.
City Year’s mission is to ensure every student feels supported and seen—not just in the first week, but all year long. At Jacksonville Middle School, the first week showed us exactly what’s possible when community, commitment, and care come together.
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