Stronger Connections in Action
Ignites Student Mentoring Across Duval County Public Schools
When Duval County Public Schools received the Stronger Connections Grant, under Florida’s BSCA program, the goal was clear: create safer, healthier, more connected learning spaces where every student feels valued. Partnering with Ignite Nation, that vision is alive 
across 19 high schools and 15 middle schools. The 18th largest district in the nation.
Student mentors have become the spark behind real transformation—not in policy alone but in hearts, hallways, and classrooms.
Train-the-Trainer: Students Leading Students
Mid July, Ignite hosted its second year of Kick-Off Camps with Duval —one for high school and one for middle school Executive Mentors. 
During these two-day experiences Executive Student Mentors did far more than learn logistics. They built leadership skills, tackled team building challenges, and practiced the art of working as a united team. Each activity pushed them beyond their comfort zones- developing confidence, voice and a sense of responsibility for their school’s climate and data points they can influence like attendance and referrals. By the end, these student leaders had not only sharpened their own skills but also made a clear commitment to train, inspire their peer mentors back on campus.
Building School-Based Mentor Teams
Executive Mentors at Mandarin Middle School take the lead, training, inspiring and uplifting student 50 mentors.
Equipped with this training, Executive Mentor teams returned to their schools and 
duplicated the model. Each school hosted or is hosting its own 1–2-day camp to launch a brand-new mentor team—a cross-grade group of students who model their communities and come together for the first time to support every incoming student.
From there, Student Mentors lead eight monthly sessions throughout the year to:
- Strengthen academic strategies
- Foster growth mindset
- Build essential 21st-century skills
This students-training-students, students-leading-students design shows the power of peer influence at its best.
Support for Advisors
Ignite ensures staff are supported and never overloaded:
- One-day Advisor Kick-Off at the start of the year
- Monthly webinars and ongoing coaching for guidance and problem-solving
School Advisors simply champion and celebrate their students’ leadership—no extra planning required.
Why It Matters
Research shows that peer relationships drive motivation, achievement, and belonging. By equipping students to teach and lead one another, Duval and Ignite are proving that when students own the process, real culture change follows.
Celebrate Duval’s student mentors—building stronger connections and stronger schools, one team at a time.