INDIANAPOLIS – Aug 6, 2024 – EmployIndy is excited to announce that Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) in Indy will be expanding this Fall, including new programs at two Marion County high schools and six Marion County middle schools.  

JAG Indy is a state-affiliated program, based on a national model, that aims to keep young people in school through graduation and provide career-connected learning experiences that will lead to career advancement opportunities, or enrollment in a postsecondary institution that leads to a rewarding career. 

“EmployIndy is excited to expand JAG Indy’s reach throughout Marion County, providing career-connected learning opportunities for more students in our region,” said Marie Mackintosh, President + CEO of EmployIndy. “The experiences and skills gained through JAG play a critical part in our young people making informed career choices after high school.” 

The program’s expansion is a result of the continued success in achieving outcomes for students. JAG Indy recently achieved the National 6 of 6 award for both Multi-Year and Alternative Education programs. This award is achieved by meeting six graduation, further education, and employment standards set by the national organization. Having achieved this designation for the 9th year running, JAG Indy’s multi-year programs boasted a 98% graduation rate as well as a 75% full-time positive outcome rate, with the latter highlighting the percentage of students that entered full-time employment and/or further education. 

“We were thrilled to have recently been awarded the 6 of 6 designation from JAG National,” said Erika Seydel Cheney, VP of Career Connected Learning at EmployIndy. “The hard work from our team, our JAG Specialists, and our JAG students was deservedly recognized and will give us added confidence as we expand this year.” 

JAG Indy’s expansion in the high school space will include new programs at both Irvington Preparatory Academy and Victory College Prep. Expansion into the middle school space will include new programs at three Washington Township middle schools (Eastwood, Northview, and Westlane) as well as new programs at three IPS middle schools (H.L. Harshman, Broad Ripple, and William Penn). In addition to these new programs, JAG Indy will add an out-of-school youth focused JAG program within YouthBuild Indy, an EmployIndy led construction training program. 

To get involved, students and parents are encouraged to contact their school’s administration office to connect to their JAG Specialist. Learn more about JAG Indy by visiting www.employindy.org/youth-services/jag.