April 21, 2025 | Jeffrey Good
One night, Gabriel Romero saw a rocket soar into the heavens above Florida’s Space Coast and knew what he wanted to do with his life — go to college and become an aerospace engineer.
But a big hurdle blocked his way: He felt overwhelmed by having to take multiple courses at the same time in his traditional high school. “I got to the point where I was stuck and wasn’t sure what I was going to do.”
Then he found out about Marion County Acceleration Academies (MCAA), where he could take one course at a time and get all the personalized help he needed. “This was my last chance, so I took it.”
He’s glad he did. At MCAA, Gabriel found a calm and “mature” atmosphere that boasted plenty of help from teachers and gave him the ability to work at his own pace.
“My focus here completely changed. I didn’t know I could focus like this,” he says. “I have a better understanding now because I was given the time to really understand and grasp it.”
Gabriel found the academy’s atmosphere conducive to learning. Rather than being forced to sit at a desk in a traditional classroom, he was able to pick his seat in a cafe-style setting with natural light streaming through the windows. He didn’t have to ask permission to go to the bathroom or grab a snack.
When he looked around, he saw other graduation candidates — that’s what Acceleration Academies calls students to remind them that this is a different experience from regular high school — working hard toward their goal of earning a diploma. “I always found the traditional school to be chaotic,” he says. “To have an environment that’s calm and chill, I feel I can flourish”
With such support and his own hard work, Gabriel recently graduated and is laying the groundwork for his career in aerospace. In just a short time, he’s gone from feeling stuck to knowing that the sky’s the limit.
“I’m setting myself up for life.”
Marion County Acceleration Academies partners with Marion County Public Schools to offer an alternative option for students who need more flexibility and support than what’s typically offered in traditional high schools. The year-round program is 100% free and serves students ages 14-20. Learn more →