Mission

By promoting ADEPT Diversity in Education and Program Technology (ADEPT), the organization’s mission statement is “Affecting Attitudes One Person At a Time, and Making An Impression on Others!” Primarily the organization seeks to inspire at-risk youth and high school dropouts, ages 16 – 20. Transforming dire future outlook into opportunity, by providing them the necessary guidance to complete a second-chance vocational training and educational track, which will afford them the opportunity to become self-reliant and contributing citizens of their desired communities.

Vision

To construct an initiative that will develop effective education and training opportunities for Forrest, Lamar, Jones, Marion, Covington, Perry, Pearl River and Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi youth. Initially ADEPT will partner with school districts in Forrest County and eventually serve communities within a 50 mile radius of the “Hub” City. In order to provide a second chance at high school and to provide support opportunities for college or technical careers, a campus will be built near William Carey University, near Highway 49.

Goals

Personal Development goals for ADEPT students will be accomplished through a holistic approach of expectations and experiences. Such overall goals are noted below:

1. 100% graduation rate (2% error margin); based on ISUS.
2. Zero % tolerance of absences, illegal drugs, weapons, threats (act) and violence.
3. Advance students through the academic track, mastering competencies and satisfying state standards.
4. Obtain a high school diploma.
5. Advance student through the vocational tracks, mastering competencies at each level
6. Complete vocation of choice in the time frame as suggested.
7. Obtain NCCER (National Center for Construction Educational Research) certification.
8. Prepare students to interview effectively.
9. Prepare students for employment.
10. Track students three years after completion of program.

The old Mississippi Baptist Seminary, formerly a boarded-up church set back off the road on Country Club Road in Hattiesburg, is now the temporary site for Hattiesburg's first dropout recovery school. Read more.