South Dakota and four local Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) programs have received the prestigious “6-of-6 Award” at the JAG National Training Seminar in Las Vegas this week. The local programs that achieved the designation are Andes Central High School in Lake Andes, Bennett County High School in Martin, Lyman High School in Presho, and Washington High School in Sioux Falls.

The national award recognizes the states and programs within the JAG network that exceed benchmarks in six categories deemed crucial to equip students with the skills and support they need to achieve their potential. The six categories are: high school graduation rate, employment rate, full-time employment, total full-time positive outcomes, connectivity rate, and the rate of students furthering their education after high school.

“The JAG program has been doing tremendous things for students in South Dakota for about 15 years now,” said Secretary of Education Joe Graves. “The mission of the program is to help students who face barriers to success by providing extra support to them. The difference our JAG teachers have on those students is inspiring.”

South Dakota’s JAG program aims to provide students with the skills and support they need to succeed in education, employment, and life. Currently, nine school districts in the state have JAG programs.

The program’s model of intensive support for students has proven to be successful in helping students graduate and find employment after high school. Funding for the program was a priority for the Noem Administration in 2024; with her support, the state legislature approved the use of $482,000 to expand the successes of the JAG-SD program to students across the state.

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