Navigating the social, emotional and academic pressures of high school can be overwhelming. At Albany High, our school community is dedicated to finding creative and effective ways to support students as they begin their high school journey.
One impactful program is Peer Group Connection (PGC), a school-based, evidence-driven initiative designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for new students. In PGC, upper-class students become mentors to a cohort of 10-15 students, primarily ninth graders, though we also include newcomers from higher grades.
This academic year, 22 mentors are facilitating outreach with approximately 100 students. Through weekly gatherings, mentors foster positive relationships, facilitate meaningful conversations, and cultivate a sense of community within their groups. Our mentors are also enrolled in a year-long, credit-bearing leadership course which is an integral part of PGC.
Check out these photos from our outreach kickoff event, where mentors collaborated with their groups to discuss how they can support each other and establish ground rules so they can build a foundation of trust and respect for sessions throughout the year.