Josh Railey, a polite boy with a sweet smile, dreams of being an architect.
But that involves a lot of math — a subject that's still hard for the Arlington Middle School eighth-grader.
The dream is nearer than it once was, though. The former "D" student is now close to making the honor roll.
Josh got help from Achievers for Life, a dropout prevention strategy that provides mentoring to middle-school students who are struggling with poor grades, test scores and behavior issues.
Achievers for Life this year, through a $500,000 donation from Fidelity National Financial, launched the program in Joseph Stillwell Middle School.
That makes 10 at-risk middle schools out of a targeted 16 that have gotten the program since its inception six years ago. But, it's not quite where United Way of Northeast Florida would like things to be.
"Our goal is to be in 16 schools by 2016," said Connie Hodges, president of the United Way, which sponsors the program. "This launch is also an appeal to other corporations to join the effort."
In addition to weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions for students, Achievers for Life provides family support services and guidance to help parents increase their engagement with schools.
Research shows helping children in sixth grade will lower the dropout rate, Hodges said. By 10th or 11th grade, it's too late.
After its first year, Achievers for Life increased those students' promotion rates 11 percent and grade-point-averages by 30 percent, said Becki Couch, Duval County School Board vice president.
By its second year, student absenteeism had dropped 25 percent and failing grades had decreased by 25 percent, she said.
George Scanlon, CEO of Fidelity National Financial, said Achievers for Life's proven success persuaded him FNF would see a return by investing in the program.
"Research shows that … even in schools where 50 to 70 percent of students are struggling, all of the students still have dreams," Scanlon said. "Our challenge is to help students connect those dreams with effort."
Sometimes effort involves more than academics.
Achievers for Life mentor John Daigle said after Josh's parents separated, the boy had to ride a city bus two hours each way to and from school.
"He would be up at 4:30 in the morning and wouldn't get home until 8 or 9 at night," Daigle said. "When he told me what it took for him just to get to school, I understood better what he was dealing with."
Today, Josh's performance is 180 degrees from where it was, Daigle said.
For Josh, Daigle has been a tutor and a friend.
"He's someone who helps me with subjects like math and he's also someone I can talk with about things that are happening at home," Josh said.