Programs in Action: High School Students in Evidence-Based Roles

Near Peer Mentoring Supports Transition to 9th Grade

Cumberland Regional High School, Bridgeton, NJ

At Cumberland Regional High School in Bridgeton, NJ, seniors support their 9th grade peers as they transition to high school. This period of time can be challenging to incoming students, both academically and socially.  The peer mentor and 2-3 freshmen spend an 84-minute block together every day of the first semester as part of a freshman seminar course.  Both the mentors and mentees receive high school course credit. Engagement from seniors is optional in the second semester as they transition to the next phase of their lives and prepare for graduation.

Seniors apply for the opportunity and participate in a rigorous selection process, including meetings and interviews with school staff. 11th grade students who plan to apply to be mentors can take a “peer leadership” course which may increase their chance of being selected. Teacher recommendations are also considered.  Selected seniors are then matched and provided support through an elective honors course; the mentor experience is anchored in the sense of responsibility to the freshmen’s successful transition. The school monitors program success by looking at the participating freshman’s success (or failure) in academic courses, suspension rates, and whether chronic absenteeism rates are positively impacted.