Each month, we take a moment to learn from the educational leaders who bring the Acceleration Academies mission to life, day in and day out. This month, we asked our academy leaders to respond to this prompt: February is a month when we welcome many new learners to our academies, many of whom have been frustrated at past schools. How do you encourage them to find a fresh start at Acceleration Academies? Here is what they had to say.
From the day graduation candidates enroll, we tell them Bethel Acceleration Academies is a very different kind of school. We tell them it’s an opportunity to start fresh, to show themselves that they can do it despite the challenges they have faced. We understand change can be difficult, and we encourage our GCs to not let the hard times stop them from their goals — and the team at Bethel Acceleration Academies is at their side all the way to the finish line.
— Alison Hansen, Director, Bethel (WA)
At Clark County Acceleration Academies, we share with our students the CCAA Way. This begins with a warm and welcoming orientation where students engage with staff to get comfortable with our online learning platform, meet their GC advocate and content coach and learn all of the ways they will be supported on a one-to-one basis on their educational journey with us. Additionally, we discuss the habits of practice needed to succeed in earning their high school diploma. The focus is on a collaborative and clearly articulated pathway to success.
— Wendy Thompson, Director, Clark County (NV)
We tell new learners that Escambia County Acceleration Academies is a place where we embrace new beginnings. It is our goal to work with you to nurture your personal growth and start fresh by setting achievable goals. We will help you develop your passion and purpose. We strive to create a welcoming, comfortable and safe space for you to grow academically and emotionally. The ECAA setting is unique and we will stand by your side all the way to graduation.
— Maria Jacobs, Director, Escambia County (FL)
At Lowcountry Acceleration Academy, the magic begins the moment a GC walks through our doors. We start with orientation, the important first step in personalizing their learning experience. In traditional schools, this is not a common practice.You are given a schedule and school staff hope you know the location of your first class. In our orientation, we make personal connections with our GCs and give them the tools and resources to be successful. We empower them so they can navigate their educational journey to become their best selves.
— Dr. Jacinta Bryant, Director, Lowcountry Acceleration Academy
A fresh start is an opportunity to reinvent yourself, start a different career, move to a new place or even resume something you left unfinished. At Miami-Dade Acceleration Academies, we encourage our re-engaging students to do just that — complete their high school education in a flexible and supportive learning environment. Our staff is focused on helping students remove obstacles that may be preventing them from achieving their personal and professional goals.
— Michelle Llinas, Acting Director, Miami-Dade (FL)
Sarasota Acceleration Academies offers a fresh start for our GCs, and a large part of this is due to our staff and the language we use. The GCs call the staff by first names, which is different than in the traditional school setting. Our staff is relatable; they want to get to know our new GCs beyond the academics. Our content coaches and GC advocates build genuine relationships with GCs and quickly seek to build a positive rapport.
— Monetta Ruskin, Director, Sarasota (FL).
At St. Lucie Acceleration Academies, we make sure that we treat our GCs with respect and dignity, acknowledging their struggles, their hardships, as well as their accomplishments and goals. We let them know that they ALL have potential and we will help them define it and make it a reality.
— Paige Latham, Director, St. Lucie (FL).