--- title: Blog - Acceleration Academies | Hali Schaefer (2) description: Stories and insights from Acceleration Acedmies (2) --- [![acceleration academies logo](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/wp-content/themes/acceleration-academies/library/images/placeholder/aa-logo.png) ![acceleration academies logo](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/wp-content/themes/acceleration-academies/library/images/placeholder/aa-logo-footer.png)](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/) - The Program « Back - [High School Completion](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/high-school-completion/) - [Our Flexible Approach](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/our-flexible-approach/) - [Personalized Teaching](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/personalized-teaching/) - [Career Coaching](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/career-coaching/) - [Meet Our Graduates](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/ourgraduates/) - [Social Support & Aid](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/social-support-aid/) - [Common Questions](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/the-program/common-questions/) - [High School Diploma vs. GED](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/ged-vs-diploma?hsLang=en) - Our Locations « Back - Florida - [Broward County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/broward-county/) - [Duval County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/duval-county/) - [Escambia County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/escambia-county/) - [Hillsborough County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/hillsborough-county/) - [Lee County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/lee-county/) - [Marion County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/marion-county/) - [Miami-Dade County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/miami-dade-county/) - [Santa Rosa County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/santa-rosa-acceleration-academies/) - [Sarasota County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/sarasota-county/) - [St. Lucie County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/florida/stlucie-county/) - Georgia - [Cobb County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/georgia/cobb-county/) - [DeKalb County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/georgia/dekalb-county/) - [Gwinnett County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/georgia/gwinnett-county/) - Nevada - [Clark County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/nevada/clark-county/) - Ohio - [Cincinnati](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/ohio/cincinnati/) - South Carolina - [Lowcountry](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/south-carolina/lowcountry/) - [Myrtle Beach/Conway](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/south-carolina/carolina-shores/) - Texas - [Ector County](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/texas/ector-county/) - Washington - [Bethel](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-locations/washington/bethel/) - About Us « Back - [Our Accreditation](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-accreditation/) - [Our Team](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/our-team/) - [News](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/news/) - [Blog](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/blog/) - [Pathways Magazine](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/pathways-magazine?hsLang=en) - [Become a Partner](https://altedpathways.org/) - [Careers](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/about-us/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/contact-us/) - [Events](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/events/) - [Login](https://studentinnovate.educationincites.com/#/client/myincite) - Search [Get Info](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/request-info?hsLang=en) [Enroll](http://accelerationacademies.org/enroll) Menu  Search Close Search Form Close Menu Our Blog ## The Stories & Insights That Matter Filter by category Student Stories Florida Alternative Education Meet Our Graduates Graduations South Carolina Charter Schools Miami-Dade Sarasota Going Back to High School Staff Perspectives 10 Years of Acceleration Academies Ector Personalized Learning Texas Georgia Academies News & Events Academies in Action Career and Technical Ed Gwinnett County (GA) St. Lucie Bethel (WA) Location Clark County (NV) GED vs Diploma High School Diploma CTE Data in Education Dropout Recovery Nevada value of a high school diploma Washington Alumni Broward County (FL) Duval County Escambia County Marion County Myrtle Beach/Conway (SC) Student Mental Health Lee County Online High School Santa Rosa County (FL) School Choice Technology California Cincinnati (Oh) DeKalb County (GA) Enrollment Help Hillsborough County (FL) Insider Los Angeles My Acceleration Academies Story National School Choice Week Ohio Partnerships Wichita, KS [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/Hybrid-High-School-Blog.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/what-is-a-hybrid-learning-model) Alternative Education ## [What Is a Hybrid Learning Model? A Different Path to a Diploma for Students Who Need It](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/what-is-a-hybrid-learning-model) May 1, 2026 | Hali Schaefer If you’re here, there’s a good chance school hasn’t gone the way you hoped for your high school student. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/How-Alternative-High-Schools-Help-Students-Rebuild-Confidence.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/how-alternative-high-schools-help-students-rebuild-confidence) Alternative Education ## [How Alternative High Schools Help Students Rebuild Confidence](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/how-alternative-high-schools-help-students-rebuild-confidence) March 6, 2026 | Hali Schaefer For a lot of students, the phrase “high school” doesn’t come with pep rallies and yearbook smiles. It comes with anxiety, missed credits, disciplinary slips or the quiet belief that school just isn’t a place where they belong. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/LinkedIn%20Article%20Staff%20Q%26A.png)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/meet-the-team-julio-ortiz-ríos) Staff Perspectives ## [Meet the Team: Julio Ortiz Ríos, Ed.D., Lee County Acceleration Academies Director](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/meet-the-team-julio-ortiz-ríos) March 2, 2026 | Hali Schaefer Julio Ortiz Ríos, Ed.D., joined the Lee County Acceleration Academies team in Fort Myers, Fl., in February as academy director, bringing more than a decade of experience to the role. Get to know more about his background, leadership journey and heart for students in this Q&A. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/SRAA-Twins-Amaya-and-Aubrey.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/a-fresh-start-for-amaya-aubrey-at-santa-rosa-acceleration-academies) Student Stories ## [A Fresh Start for Amaya, Aubrey at Santa Rosa Acceleration Academies](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/a-fresh-start-for-amaya-aubrey-at-santa-rosa-acceleration-academies) February 27, 2026 | Hali Schaefer When twin sisters Amaya and Aubrey walked through the doors of Santa Rosa Acceleration Academies last August, they weren’t sure what to expect. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/DAA-Jayden-Terrell.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/two-friends-one-finish-line) Student Stories ## [Two Friends, One Finish Line: How Terrell and Jayden Found Their Way Forward at DeKalb Acceleration Academies](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/two-friends-one-finish-line) February 10, 2026 | Hali Schaefer On most days at DeKalb County Acceleration Academies (DAA), you’ll find Terrell and Jayden not too far from each other — joking, checking in on their course progress and quietly keeping each other accountable. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/Blog-Mid-Year-Transfer.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/5-things-to-know-about-duval-county-acceleration-academies-in-jacksonville) Alternative Education ## [5 Things to Know About Duval County Acceleration Academies in Jacksonville](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/5-things-to-know-about-duval-county-acceleration-academies-in-jacksonville) January 15, 2026 | Hali Schaefer Duval County students have a new option for earning a high school diploma in Jacksonville, and it’s built for those who need flexibility, support and a personalized path to graduation. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/LAA_Academy%20candids_Charleston__60-1.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/thinking-about-transferring-schools-mid-year-heres-what-to-consider) Alternative Education ## [Thinking About Transferring Schools Mid-Year? Here’s What To Consider](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/thinking-about-transferring-schools-mid-year-heres-what-to-consider) December 11, 2025 | Hali Schaefer For many families, the middle of the school year can bring unexpected challenges — academic struggles, schedule conflicts, social issues or simply the realization that a student’s current school just isn’t the right fit. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/Blog-BCAA-Tori-Lopez.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/bcaa-tori-lopez) Student Stories ## [‘This Academy Gave Me Back My Voice’: How Tori Lopez Found Healing, Hope and Her Future at Broward County Acceleration Academies](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/bcaa-tori-lopez) November 13, 2025 | Hali Schaefer When you meet 17-year-old Victoria Lopez — affectionately known as Tori by her friends and family — you’re struck by her warmth, confidence and passion for helping others. [![](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/hubfs/Blog-10-Jobs-with-a-high-school-diploma.jpg)](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/10-well-paying-jobs-you-can-get-with-a-high-school-diploma) Career and Technical Ed ## [10 Well-Paying Jobs You Can Get With a High School Diploma](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/10-well-paying-jobs-you-can-get-with-a-high-school-diploma) October 30, 2025 | Hali Schaefer For many people, success doesn’t have to mean a four-year college degree. In fact, there are plenty of careers that offer great pay, stability and opportunities for growth — all with just a high school diploma, a strong work ethic and maybe some additional certifications or apprenticeships. [« Newer](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog) [Older »](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/author/hali-schaefer/page/3) ## In the **News** [View all news](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/news/) --- [Prev](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog) [1](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog) [2](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/author/hali-schaefer/page/2) [3](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/author/hali-schaefer/page/3) [4](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/author/hali-schaefer/page/4) [5](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/author/hali-schaefer/page/5) [Next](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/blog/author/hali-schaefer/page/3) Refer a friend & [Earn Rewards](https://info.accelerationacademies.org/refer-a-friend?hsLang=en) ![Acceleration Academies](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/wp-content/themes/acceleration-academies/library/images/placeholder/aa-logo-footer.png) [872.529.5115](tel:8725295115) Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm ET [info@accelerationacademies.org](mailto:info@accelerationacademies.org) OwnYourSuccess - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/accelerationacademies1) - [TikTok](https://tiktok.com/@accelerationacademies) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@accelerationacademies) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/accelerationacademies/) - [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/company/acceleration-academies) ![cognia logo](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/wp-content/themes/acceleration-academies/library/images/placeholder/cognia-logo.png) ©2026 Acceleration Academies. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/privacy-policy/) [Blog](https://www.accelerationacademies.org/blog/)