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Committee approves AHS Peer Ambassador pilot to bring college-bound seniors back to campus
Summary
The school committee approved a pilot to hire peer ambassadors at Athol High School, paying seniors $15 an hour (estimated $12,600 per semester for six students) to coach, tutor and connect with on-campus students; funding will come from school choice for the pilot and be reviewed for FY26.
The Athol-Royalston school committee approved a pilot Peer Ambassador program at Athol High School designed to re-engage seniors who attend college full time by bringing them back to campus part time as paid ambassadors.
Tom Shamgoian, the district's College and Career Readiness coordinator, described the program and said ambassadors would model academic behaviors, provide tutoring and coaching, and participate in school events two to three days a week and up to 10 hours per week. "We're hoping our commitment to start would be to help students succeed by providing individualized coaching, tutoring, being on campus and available..." Tom said.
The proposal called for paying ambassadors $15 an hour with an approximate semester cost of $12,600 based on six students at 10 hours per week. Administrators said the pilot would be funded through school choice funds this year and evaluated for inclusion in the FY26 budget.
Committee members praised the idea as a culture-building strategy. The motion to approve the program was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
What to expect: administration will run an application and interview process, provide skills training to selected students, and schedule ambassador time in coordination with school staff. The program is a pilot and funding and scope will be reconsidered during FY26 budgeting.
