Why Peer Mentoring Works
Middle school is one of the highest-risk moments for dips in confidence, attendance, and engagement.
Research shows that peer-to-peer mentoring in middle schools leads to measurable, schoolwide benefits:
- Improved School Attendance – Mentored students are 52% less likely to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class (evidencebasedmentoring.org).
- Enhanced Sense of Belonging – Peer mentoring has been associated with increased retention, improved study skills, and a greater sense of belonging among students (uva.edu).
- Improved Attendance & Behavior – Schools experience reduced absenteeism and fewer behavioral referrals (Herrera et al., 2011).
- Strengthened Self-Management – Showing up prepared, being a role model, and mentoring teach students how to manage time, emotions, and responsibilities with purpose (ies.ed.gov).
The Payoffs
40
reduced referrals
43
increase in attendance
35
increase in academics
Why the First Year of Middle School Matters
The first year of middle school can shape one’s whole experience
70
feel overwhelmed by anxiety
26
experienced bullying
40
are failing 1 or more classes
Our 4-Part Spark Mentoring Model
Students mentoring students to transform school culture
For over two decades, the Ignite team has partnered with schools across the country to lead change through peer-driven mentoring.
STEP 1:
Advisor Kick-Off!
Advisor Kick-Off!
Getting Started Series for Advisors
Topics Covered:
- What mentoring is and how to spread the word
- Customizable turnkey resources
- Inclusive recruiting & team-building process
- Yearlong calendar + community service events
- Creating a sustainable system
- Yearlong sustainable systems & staff onboarding
Everything you need—ready to download!
STEP 2:
Spark Mentor Camp!
Spark Mentor Camp!
Student Mentor Training (2-3 days)
- DAY 1: Executive Mentor vision and leadership development
- DAY 2-3: Mentor Camp led by Exec-Mentor & Ignite coaches
- Practice Essential Mentoring Skills: Team building, growth mindset, peer coaching, servant leadership development, and service-learning project planning!
- Prepared & Ready: Equipped to run Orientation Day or your first mentor-to-mentee (M2M) session
STEP 3:
Monthly Mentor Sessions
Monthly Mentor Sessions
30-Minute Mentor-to-Mentee Time
Every Session Includes:
- Student mentor’s personal story introduction
- Interactive activity / challenge
- Discussion prompts to spark dialogue
- Reflection takeaway
Explore our monthly lessons here!
Spark plug-and-play lessons take the lead!
STEP 4:
Metrics & Milestones
Metrics & Milestones
Year-Round Feedback System
- Celebrate Progress: Student spotlight, social media highlights, & schoolwide events
- Track Impact: Surveys, reflection tools, & motivation
- Gather Feedback: Quarterly input from students, staff, & other stakeholders
- Turn Insights into Action: Strengthen outcomes, justify funding, & evolve the system
Choose YOUR Level of Support:
Online, Onsite, or Both!
Mentor Kick-Off Camp
Our Ignite Mentor Camp gives upper-grade students the tools and confidence to guide incoming students and shape a school where everyone belongs.
Through team building, leadership activities, and hands-on practice, student mentors learn how to lead with kindness, courage, and purpose — right from the start.
Let’s get some results! Improve attendance, reduce referrals, and increase academic performance in the incoming class.
Built for Staff Simplicity & Sustainability
- Plug-and-play with ready-to-use lessons and advisor coaching
- Student-led, so mentors take the lead
- Flexible, designed for your advisory period, study hall, or class pull-outs
- Supported, all year with monthly coaching, onboarding videos, and planning toolkit
See our program in action
Hear directly from partner schools—what really makes an impact. Mentors and executive mentors share what they’ve learned and how the program changed their perspective.
Let’s Build a Culture Where Every Student Belongs.
Schedule a free 30-minute strategy call to get your custom mentoring launch plan!
Our programs support both remote and onsite settings
Advisor Getting Started
Our Spark Advisor Plug-N-Play Series: Advisors are guided step-by-step through online training to carry out the program with ease.
- School year subscription
- Empower your staff to take the lead
- Recruiting Templated System
- Onboarding 6th grade classrooms
- Teacher Discussion Guides
- Resource Videos
Ignite Spark Plug-N-Play Curriculum
Spark Plug-N-Play lessons are teacher-friendly and ready to launch—no prep required.
- School year subscription
- ‘Get-Real’ topics empowering student voice
- Customized School Page
- 30 min Video Lessons
- Built in Discussions
- Teacher Reflections
Mentor Kick-Off Camp
What our Mentor Kick-Off Camp delivers:
- Builds confidence and 21st-century leadership skills to guide and inspire peers
- Strengthens communication, empathy, self-management, and collaboration
- Equips mentors to lead monthly Spark sessions, foster authentic relationships
- Aligns student leaders with school-wide goals like SIP, MTSS, and Portrait of a Graduate
- Prepares mentors to be catalysts for positive school culture change
Student Mentor Training System
Mentors train through a Leadership Class or scheduled pullout sessions.
- Optional CTE course ‘Educational Leadership’
- Optional pullout training advisory mode
- Staff overview and expectations
- Mentor Contract
- Reflections & Growth Assessments
- Monthly Webinars
- Monthly Advisor Coaching
- Spring Transitions