“I chose RISE to support and advocate for others, help students feel believed in, and contribute to building a strong sense of community.”
Partner with RISE to Host an On-Track Mentor
The On-Track Mentor Program
RISE’s On-Track Mentor (OTM) program is a student success initiative in partnership with Serve Connecticut and AmeriCorps designed to ensure more students stay on track to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary opportunities. Through this partnership, AmeriCorps members serve as On-Track Mentors in RISE partner high schools, each supporting a caseload of students who may face challenges during the transition into Grade 9. RISE launched the program during the 2025-26 school year with four high schools across Hartford and New Haven serving as inaugural placement sites.
Position at a Glance
- Caseload of 50 High-Need Students. Focused support for an intentional group of 9th graders.
- Recent College Graduate. Fresh perspective and relevant experience to effectively engage students and support student success.
- Embedded in the School Community. Seamless integration for direct student support and Grade 9 team collaboration.
- 2-Year Service Commitment. Ensures stable, ongoing support for students.
Reasons to Host On-Track Mentors in my School
Hosting On-Track Mentors helps schools strengthen student success by providing targeted, relationship-based support that complements existing school teams. RISE directly hires and manages the mentor, handling all employment-related responsibilities so schools can focus on implementation and impact. Mentors participate in ongoing professional development and receive continuous training and support from RISE to ensure alignment with school goals and student needs.
Cost to Host an On-Track Mentor
RISE invests more than $80,000 per On-Track Mentor through stipends, benefits, staff support, training, and ongoing supervision. To ensure the sustainability and quality of the program, RISE partners with districts and schools to share in this investment.
The annual investment for hosting an On-Track Mentor is $35,000 per mentor. While schools may host a single mentor, RISE strongly prefers placements of two On-Track Mentors per school, as this model increases coverage, collaboration, and impact for students.
Participation in the On-Track Mentor program requires use of the RISE Data Hub, which provides educators and mentors with timely, secure, and actionable student data to support coordinated student supports. Schools that already use the RISE Data Hub can integrate mentors into their existing Hub environment. For schools that do not currently use the Hub, information about Data Hub bundling options is available upon request.
Timeline and Next Steps
- By March 20th: Submit an expression of interest to RISE by emailing Sam Purdy (Director of Engagement) at spurdy@ctrise.org.
- By April 10th: Meet with RISE to explore the opportunity.
- By April 17th: Submit an application.
- June-July: RISE facilitates matching opportunities with On-Track Mentor candidates and participating school leaders.
- August: On-Track Mentors begin in their roles.
On-Track Mentor Partner Site Placement Process
Step 1: Resume/Profile Sharing
RISE shares OTM resumes/profiles with the district representative for initial review.
Step 2: OTM | Matching Opportunities
OTM candidates and partner sites participate in matching opportunities that provide an opportunity for mutual introductions and alignment.
Step 3: Partner Site Selections
Each partner site selects their top three OTM candidates based on their needs and priorities.
Step 4: RISE Placement Decision
- RISE determines the best-fit placement by considering the following factors:
- Proximity to the school or the OTM’s willingness to travel.
- Alignment between the OTM’s skills and experience and the school’s focus areas.
- The OTM’s preferences and strengths, ensuring a mutually beneficial match.
- Consideration of the OTM’s preferred sites or focus areas when feasible.
- Final Placement: The final decision is made by balancing partner site needs, OTM strengths, and overall program priorities to ensure the greatest impact.
Step 5: Placement Notification
Both the partner site and the OTM candidate are notified of the placement decision and official start date within two weeks of the placement fair.
Questions? Contact Sam Purdy (Director of Engagement) at spurdy@ctrise.org
