Wilson Middle School presents Goal Getters program; school staff cite drops in tardies and improved grades

Wilson Middle School Principal Leah Borg and program partners presented the Goal Getters small-group social‑skills and leadership program to the South Saint Paul Public Schools board on Jan. 27, saying data show participating middle school students have reduced tardies and made academic gains.

The program, run by founder Jarrell Miller in partnership with Wilson staff, serves sixth through eighth graders in groups of about six to nine students. Shannon Smith, an eighth‑grade counselor, told the board that 79 students are enrolled this school year in 13 groups and that the district has collected baseline and interim attendance and grade data to measure impact. "Forty percent of our eighth graders have reduced their number of tardies at this point of the year, and we've had 72 percent that have demonstrated consistent academic progress," Smith said.

Why it matters: the board heard the program as part of regular meeting reports. School leaders framed Goal Getters as an intervention to…