Darren Turner tells his students to treat his class like it’s a job.
That is the first lesson in the new LEAP class at Greenfield-Central High School– a unique twist on what was once known as Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG).
When state budget cuts forced the elimination of JAG programs across Indiana in 2025, Greenfield-Central decided a career readiness program was too valuable to lose.
GCHS teacher Darren Turner developed LEAP, which stands for Learn, Engage, Achieve, Perform.
LEAP uses mentorship, hands-on learning, community service and work-based experiences to build a strong foundation for college, the workforce or military service.
“I tell them the first day in class, to treat it like a job, not a class,” Turner said. “A lot of what we do is geared toward that.”
LEAP offers opportunities for students to work in teams for community service projects, like the annual Veterans Day program or holiday collection boxes for those in need.
Students also learn how to write a resume and what to say in a job interview. They may even take part in unpaid internships throughout the community to learn about work first-hand.
A recent winter afternoon in class, junior Anna Lineback shared that she appreciates learning how to write a resume and perform well when interviewing for a job.
Still unsure what she wants to do beyond high school, Lineback hopes the program gives her some opportunities to work with others and serve the community.
“I took it to get more experience,” she said. “I was stressed out about going into the workforce, because nobody really told me how it works. So I thought an internship would help.”
Juniors Elly Ferguson and Reece Dowell both want to pursue criminal justice after high school, and are grateful for the LEAP program to teach them the basics of how to get a job.
“I really like how this class uses a lot of collaboration,” Ferguson said. “Most everything we do, we bounce ideas off of each other.”
Greenfield-Central’s former JAG program had received statewide recognition through competitions and highly-qualified teens. In 2024, JC Matlock earned the Outstanding Senior award for Indiana and she said the GC program helped her explore the career of law enforcement.
Dr. Harold Olin, superintendent of GC schools, said the corporation had a lot to be proud of with the former JAG program. Administrators wanted to make sure students who were enrolled in JAG previously could complete the program on their path to graduation.
“We wanted to make sure that the students who had started the program could finish it. But beyond this current group of seniors, we believe the program has a lot of merit for future graduating classes as well,” Olin said. “Darren Turner has been an amazing ambassador for the program over the last few years, and he continues to provide incredible opportunities for our students. You don’t have a national JAG student of the year without a leader and advocate like Darren.”
Turner and a team of counselors and administrators at Greenfield-Central High School worked together to brainstorm how to pivot after funding cuts, and make sure a career readiness program could thrive in Greenfield.
“Our school board and central office recognized the value of the former JAG program and they were supportive of the creation of our LEAP,” said GCHS Principal Dan Walbaum. “Mr. Turner is a wonderful mentor for our students as young professionals and they are having a meaningful experience because of him and the support of our community partners.”
It took several months for Turner to develop a curriculum similar to JAG but unique to Greenfield-Central.
And while students began taking LEAP classes in August when the school year started, the Indiana Department of Education gave formal approval to the program in the fall. Thus, credits earned continue to apply toward a diploma.
While the amount of students enrolled in the LEAP program declined this year due to the uncertainty with the state funding cut, Turner is already speaking to high school sophomores about the program next year. He is expecting the LEAP 1 class to triple in size to four classes and a total of about 60 students.
Sarah Graham, director of counseling at Greenfield-Central High School, believes LEAP is a direct extension of the Greenfield-Central motto of “Learning for All, All for Learning.”
She said community partnerships are vital for that mission, and Turner has established partnerships in the community that opens doors for students. He puts many hours into supporting GC and the future leaders who benefit from the LEAP program.
One example is the annual job fair, hosted every spring at the high school bringing colleges, careers and military opportunities together for students to explore. Turner organizes the fair, in collaboration with his LEAP students.
Helping students discover how to join adulthood and choose a career path is key in what high school counselors do, Graham said. GCHS counselors meet with students one-on-one to hear their goals, help them discover their dreams, and help them find courses that will support their next steps.
“LEAP is an avenue that students can choose to help them grow in their confidence, communication, and collaboration skills. At GCHS, we are blessed to have many courses, programs, and extracurricular activities to help students discover their future,” Graham said. “Through these conversations, counselors help students identify strengths, explore possible pathways, and select classes that align with both their interests and their comfort level.”
Graham said the LEAP program uses mentorship and hands-on learning to build a strong foundation for life.
“Students leave the program prepared not just for what comes next, but ready to lead, serve, and make an impact beyond the walls of GC,” she said.
By Maribeth Vaughn
LEAP I students took the September e-learning day to visit Ball State University. They learned about the university and took a guided tour throughout the campus.