Skip to main content
Ignition Point

Atlantic Coast Case Study

By December 16, 2025No Comments

Building Belonging Through Student Leadership

How Atlantic Coast High School Integrated Ignite Mentoring into the School Day

Atlantic Coast High School (ACHS) has created one of the strongest, most sustainable Ignite mentoring programs in Duval County. 

Their success comes from a simple but powerful choice: the Leadership Advisor embeds Ignite directly into her five leadership classes, turning the mentor program into a schoolwide leadership engine.

This model allows student mentors to train weekly, support freshmen during the school day, and build a culture where upperclassmen guide incoming students with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.

Program Overview: A School-Day Mentoring System

  1. Leadership Classes = Mentor Training

The leadership advisor teaches five periods of leadership, each serving as a built-in Ignite training block.
In these classes, mentors learn:

  • Public speaking
  • Facilitation
  • How to run Spark lessons
  • Leadership skills
  • Relationship-building strategies

Executive mentors help lead classes, plan sessions, and train new mentors — creating a true “student leadership pipeline.”

  1. Push-In Model to Freshman Classes

Mentors deliver Ignite sessions during freshman class periods, not after school or during advisory only.
This guarantees:

  • Every freshman has the opportunity to be reached
  • No scheduling or transportation barriers
  • Real-time support where students already are
  • Consistency across classrooms and periods

*This push-in structure is one of ACHS’s greatest strengths.

  1. Advisor-Led, Student-Driven

The advisor anchors the system, but students drive:

  • Planning
  • Discussions
  • Facilitation
  • Culture-building
  • Peer relationships

Ignite is more than a club — it’s a leadership infrastructure woven into the academic day.

Student Impact: Leadership That Scales

Interviews with ACHS executive mentors, revealed one clear truth: Ignite is transforming mentors and freshmen.

Morgan– Executive Mentor

Leads 3 teams of mentors, How she grew

  • Found her voice, more confident, authentic, and willing to lead
  • Developed patience, communication, and listening skills
  • Learned to guide, not direct
  • Credits Ignite with preparing her for college interviews & leadership roles

Impact on freshman

  • Helped students build confidence and make friends
  • Inspired a freshman to join soccer team
  • Watched shy freshmen become engaged and outgoing

School Culture.  “You see students who never spoke now raising their hands.
Ignite really brings people together.” 

Advice to new mentors:“Even one ‘YES’ can build a community!  A domo effect”

John – Second-Year Mentor

Growth

  • Surprised by how meaningful mentoring relationships can be
  • Grew in responsibility and empathy
  • Built real world leadership skills

Corey – Executive Mentor, Senior Class Secretary

Leadership + Ignite Mentor

Growth

  • Learned the importance of patience in leading peers
  • Deepened involvement in school spirit and media
  • Preparing for in-state college pathways

Freshman Outcomes: Belonging, Confidence & Engagement

Mentors consistently reported noticeable growth in freshmen, including:

  1. Higher Engagement

Freshmen participated more in class time as well as social opportunities like: Ray Rallies, Spirit days, Kickball tournaments, Clubs and teams

  1. Confidence & Social Growth

Shy students began speaking up, sharing their stories, asking questions, and forming friendships.

  1. Improved School Spirit

Ignite helped break down social barriers and build cross-grade connections.

  1. Stronger Sense of Belonging

Mentors noticed a cultural shift: 

 “Freshmen feel seen. They know someone is looking out for them.”

Peer mentors leading ac activity outside with their freshman mentees

Why the ACHS Model Is One of the Best 

  1. Consistency in Training = High-Quality Leadership. Mentors are trained monthly in leadership class, making them strong, consistent facilitators.
  2. Freshmen Receive Support in the School DayNo opt-in required.
    No after-school barriers. Every student benefits.
  3. Advisor-Led Systems = Sustainability

Because Ignite is embedded in curriculum:

    • It survives turnover
    • It grows each year
    • It impacts far more students
  • It aligns with MTSS/PBIS + building goals 
  1. Student Ownership & Authenticity

Freshmen connect with mentors in ways adults can’t replicate.
Students feel heard — and that changes everything.

Schoolwide Results

  • Stronger freshman transition support
  • Increased student voice
  • Higher involvement in clubs and activities
  • Strong, consistent mentor culture
  • Increased unity across grade levels
  • Leadership skills transferable to college and careers

Conclusion

Atlantic Coast High School has built a model that many schools hope to achieve: A student-owned, advisor-supported, school-day leadership system that strengthens culture, increases belonging, and prepares students for life.  Their integration of Ignite into leadership classes and freshman push-in time represents a scalable blueprint for sustainable, high-impact mentoring.