The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of effective graduation coaches (GCs) and credit recovery programs and explain the influence of a GC and a credit recovery program on Grade 9 students at risk of dropping out. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a high school GC and enrollment in a credit recovery program were effective in helping at-risk Grade 9 students achieve academic success and subsequently reduce the dropout rate. As high schools strive for higher academic achievement, the future of education is found in teaching through GCs. Administrators understand the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. educational system, which will help to define the role of high school GCs. Researchers have defined GCs as educators hired to work with students, teachers, parents, and community agencies to address problems and needs that might impede students' graduation from high school. The purpose of GCs is to increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates by keeping students in school and encouraging regular attendance and punctuality. High school GCs help students to achieve academic success in an environment that promotes success through learning strategies designed to accommodate diversity by offering students educational alternatives that give them a strong sense of support. Increasing the number of students who graduate is being emphasized nationwide in the United States. Archived data from 114 at-risk Grade 9 students were represented in this study. Of the 56 at-risk students at School B, all of them (100%) were supported by a GC, 12 students (21.4%) participated in a credit recovery program, and 44 (78.6%) students did not participate in the credit recovery program. The results were not as expected because dropout rate was higher for those who were supported by a GC (1.8%) than those who were not supported by a GC (0.0%). A significant difference did not exist in the dropout rate of at-risk Grade 9 students in a credit recovery program and those not in such a program. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]