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Mentors Care staff and a student testify to program benefits at Waxahachie High School
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Summary
The board heard a Mentors Care update including a student testimonial from Bella Rodriguez and program metrics showing campus‑level improvements in attendance, grades and behavior; staff said 69 students and 69 mentors were active this year at the campus.
Area and campus Mentors Care staff told the board about outcomes and personal impacts from the district mentoring program, and a student gave a firsthand account of how the program changed her trajectory.
Bella Rodriguez told trustees she joined Mentors Care as a teenager, struggled with attendance and depression, and credited the program and her mentor with helping her return to school, improve grades and prepare for college. "This program changed mine, and I know it can continue to change the lives of so many other students who may be struggling in silence," she said.
Program staff reported campus metrics for the 2025–26 year: 69 students served at the campus, 69 mentors and 652 mentoring hours (January snapshot). Staff also provided outcome percentages aggregated across campuses: 33% showed improved attendance, 19% improved grades to passing, 25% had fewer office referrals and other measures of social‑emotional improvement (for example, 60% reported feeling more motivated). The area coordinator said 100% of seniors in the program cohort graduated and the program tracks post‑graduation pathways including two‑year college, four‑year university, military, workforce and vocational programs.
Trustees asked about mentor capacity; staff said there is ongoing need—some mentors take more than one mentee—and community canvassing for mentors is active. The board heard that mentors sometimes follow mentees across campus placements (including juvenile education placements) when students transfer between settings.
Staff described the program as a regular part of campus supports and encouraged board members and community volunteers to see the program first‑hand. The district did not request additional funding during the report; staff framed next steps as continued enrollment and volunteer recruitment.
