Middle School Peer Mentoring Program

Helping 1st year middle schoolers succeed through peer mentoring.

Selecting Mentors

We all remember that starting middle school was hard. Depending on the school district, it could have been 5th grade, 6th grade, even 7th grade. To start the program, you need willing mentors. 9th graders are perfect for the job, as they have finished high school and have an idea on how they could have done better in middle school, or if what they did in middle school worked. Preferably, you want the ones who did well in middle school and can be helpful when it comes to academics and social challenges. Some qualities to consider when selecting mentors include:

  • Should have started middle school at the same level they are mentoring in the same district as they are in now.

  • Should have maintained a 93% average or above throughout middle school.

  • Should participate/ have participated in at least 3 clubs/sports from the start of middle school until now.

  • Have completed a training towards the end of 8th grade year.

Training Mentors

All mentors must be trained before being left with the middle schoolers. You don’t want your mentors to feel unprepared. You also don’t want to say the wrong things. Remember that as a mentor, you are there to support the students.

Below is a link to a training presentation that you can give to new mentors. Make sure that whoever is being trained truly comprehends the content of the training, and agrees to follow all guidelines.

TRAINING PRESENTATION SLIDES

Marketing Your Program

  1. Speak to students in their study hall, home room, or lunch.

  2. Word-of-Mouth: Encourage current members to spread the word about your club to their friends and classmates. Offer incentives for successful referrals.

  3. School Events: Set up a booth at school events like open houses or fairs to introduce potential members to your club.

  4. Collaborations: Partner with other clubs or organizations to host joint events or cross-promote each other's activities.

  5. Creative Outreach: Get creative with your marketing efforts. Consider organizing a flash mob, creating a viral video, or hosting a contest to generate buzz.