July 23, 2025 | Acceleration Academies
When we talk about school choice, the conversation often centers on charter schools, private schools or voucher programs. But what if districts could expand choice without fragmenting their systems — or losing students to outside options?
At Acceleration Academies, we believe the answer lies in alternative pathways that live within the public system — flexible, supportive programs designed to meet the needs of students who haven’t thrived in traditional high school settings. And best of all, these programs can be fully integrated into district strategy, accountability frameworks and student support systems.
The Case for District-Embedded Choice
School leaders know that the traditional high school model doesn’t work for every student. Some students learn at a different pace or require alternative scheduling. Others need a supportive environment to recover credits or re-engage after time away. But when the only alternatives are external — charters, online-only programs or GEDs — districts risk losing students, funding and oversight.
District-embedded alternative programs offer a smarter solution:
- ✅ Keep students in the public system
- ✅ Customize learning without sacrificing rigor
- ✅ Provide wraparound support
- ✅ Maintain district oversight and alignment with local goals
This is not about creating a fragmented patchwork of options. It’s about expanding the district’s reach — from within.
What It Looks Like in Practice
At Acceleration Academies, we partner with public school districts to design and operate flexible high school academies that serve students who are over-age, under-credited or facing personal challenges that make traditional schooling difficult. Take for example twin sisters Briauna and Tiauna Black who recently shared their experience as students at Clark County Acceleration Academies in Las Vegas, Nevada, in an opinion piece for The 74. The sisters, now graduates of the alternative education model set by Acceleration Academies, describe the personal and academic challenges they faced in traditional high school after their mother became ill and they took on caregiving roles at home.
Our model blends online classes with in-person support from certified teachers, career coaches and mentors. Students can set flexible schedules, access a wide array of support services and work toward a district-issued diploma — not a GED.
Everyone wins with a shared funding model
Districts that partner with Acceleration Academies remain involved in the program and retain partial funding for students enrolled through Acceleration Academies, while we handle the day-to-day operations, staffing and compliance.
The result: increased graduation rates, lower dropout numbers and more at-risk students finding their way back to success.
Flexibility Without Compromise
Some may worry that expanding school choice from within means lowering expectations. The opposite is true.
Our students graduate with the same diploma and academic standards as their peers. The difference lies in how they get there — through personalized pacing, scheduling, coaching and support that’s often unavailable in traditional schools.
This isn’t about lowering the bar — it’s about removing barriers.
Why It Matters Now
With chronic absenteeism and disengagement on the rise post-pandemic, school systems need sustainable, scalable solutions to bring students back. Creating internal options like Acceleration Academies empowers districts to do just that — without ceding ground to external providers.
By offering choice with cohesion, school systems can:
- Increase graduation rates
- Improve equity and access
- Retain per-pupil funding
- Offer more inclusive, community-rooted solutions
Let’s Redefine School Choice — Together
True school choice shouldn’t require families to leave the public system. It should mean that within that system, every student can find a path to a high school diploma that meets their unique needs and life circumstances.
Acceleration Academies is here to help districts do just that. Let’s build flexible, district-aligned high school options that meet the moment — and keep students connected to the public schools that serve them.
Interested in expanding flexible high school options in your district?
➡️ Contact Acceleration Academies today to learn how we can help you expand choice within your district