Stalleon Glass knew time was running out. After drifting in and out of a succession of high schools, he saw his 21st birthday fast approaching — and, with it, the deadline for earning his diploma before he aged out of the public school system.

Like many of her students at Sarasota Acceleration Academies, Khaliah Augustin once did her best to avoid math. Then she entered the classroom of a teacher who did her best not only to demystify equations, but also to inspire the young woman.

Montana Ferrell was a good student. But like many, he wrestled with math — a hurdle made even higher by the Covid pandemic and the lack of access to in-person support from teachers.

When Savannah Payne was just 15, a young mother recruited her to babysit her 10-day-old son. One day she dropped the baby off at Savannah’s home — and never came back.

Joe Benedict had big dreams: Go to college, major in aviation and build a career as a commercial airline pilot. But first, he knew, he had to turn the corner on his flagging high school career.

Each month, we take a moment to learn from the educational leaders who are bringing the Acceleration Academies mission to life, day in and day out. This month, we asked our Academy Directors to respond to this prompt: In this season of giving thanks, what qualities of your academy’s graduation...

These days, Hannah Merritt is a 25-year-old mother of three, a nurse starting a new job in a methadone clinic, and a woman dedicating herself to being a great mom and helping people throw off the shackles of addiction.

Clark County Acceleration Academies celebrated a record-breaking 40 graduates in an early fall ceremony, marking the end of a spirited journey for the young women and men and beginning the next chapter of their lives.

Each month, we take a moment to learn from the educational leaders who are bringing the Acceleration Academies mission to life, day in and day out. This month, we asked our Academy Directors to respond to this prompt: When a prospective graduation candidate asks you how Acceleration Academies are...