February 8, 2024 | Hali Schaefer
Congratulations on being accepted to enroll at Acceleration Academies! You might be asking yourself “What happens next?”
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!
Whether you’re going back to high school after dropping out, planning to graduate high school early or looking for an alternative to traditional school, here are 7 tips to get you ready for your first days at Acceleration Academies.
Tip No.1: Relax and Take a Deep Breath
Starting at a new school can be scary, but at Acceleration Academies it doesn’t have to be. Our educators are kind, supportive and encouraging, and they are ready to welcome you into a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Read 4 Ways Acceleration Academies Makes High School Less Scary >>>
Tip No. 2: Know the Location and Hours
You can find your academy’s address and hours by visiting our locations page. Don’t forget to bookmark your academy’s webpage while you’re reviewing the hours!
Tip No. 3: Determine your Schedule
Unlike at a traditional high school, Acceleration Academies students enjoy flexible scheduling that allows them to customize their attendance around their life. Our hybrid model with in-person support and web-based curriculum means that students can split their time between on-site and remote learning.
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Attendance expectations vary by Acceleration Academies location, but a general rule of thumb is this:
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Students should attend in person at least 12 hours per week and are expected to complete 24 hours total online each week.
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It’s a good idea to start thinking about your schedule — when you’ll attend on-site at the academy and when you’ll work remotely — while you’re waiting for the first day of school. Getting a jump start on setting your schedule will help you meet attendance requirements and have a successful start.
Tip No. 4: Figure Out Transportation
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Transportation provided by the academy cannot be guaranteed, so you should start thinking about your arrangements now.
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Please let us know at orientation if you need transportation help and we will discuss your options.
Tip No. 5: Prepare School Supplies
Thanks to our web-based curriculum — yes, classes, coursework and notes are all online — students don’t require school supplies like traditional high school students.
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We offer laptop computers for checkout, but students can use their own device if they prefer.
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You might also find that a backpack or bag, a notebook, a refillable water bottle, and a pen or pencil are helpful to have at the academy but are not required.
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Snacks and drinks are also available to students for no charge in each academy’s on-site cafe, so no need to pack breakfast or lunch (unless you want to).
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We also have a list of technology and Internet resources here. Access to reliable Internet is critical for completing coursework remotely, so please read over the programs we’ve rounded up.
Read About Technology and Internet Resources >>>
Tip No. 6: Schedule In-Person Orientation
You should have received instructions for scheduling yourself for orientation in the “Welcome” email after your application was approved. Make sure to schedule orientation ASAP so you don’t lose your spot at the academy!
If you have trouble scheduling orientation or have questions about orientation, email us at info@accelerationacademy.org with “Orientation” in the subject line.
Tip No. 7: Learn the Lingo
Here are some of our commonly used Acceleration Academies acronyms you'll want to know:
- GC = Graduation Candidate (that’s you, the student!)
- PLP = Personalized Learning Plan
- GCA = Graduation Candidate Advocate
- CLC = Career and Life Coach
- CC = Content Coach
Are you ready to finish high school with Acceleration Academies?