As her daughter struggled to find way through many challenges — running away, dropping out of school, becoming a teen mom — Joanne Vasquez had a powerful sense of déjà vu.

Justin Galvan grew up rough, in a neighborhood riddled with drugs and crime and a family that had seen more than its share of trouble. When he was in middle school, he and some friends were out at 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.

Deonna Parker will be the first to tell you that she has made life-altering choices — some good, some bad — during her high school years.

By any standard, Ricardo Burciaga had a long commute to school. Even as he pursued his high school diploma at Wichita Acceleration Academies, Ricardo also held down a full time construction job — three hours away in Kansas City.

When it comes to describing her experience at Lowcountry Acceleration Academy, LaDayshia Tavelle doesn’t mince words.

Life coach Maya Cotton invited a group of graduation candidates to take a break from their studies and join her in a circle. Outside, the city of Odessa and the oilfields of West Texas spread out far below the 6th floor conference room.

Melisa Chupp has eight children ranging in age from 7 to 17, all adopted through the foster care system. Each comes with a history of turmoil in their home lives, and Chupp is determined to give them the opposite — at school as well as in their new family.

For Velliesa Castellano, the traditional in-person and online school opportunities just didn’t work. Only when she found her way to Bethel Acceleration Academies and its blend of the two approaches did she hit her stride.