How One Duval County Graduate Found Her Confidence Again

For years, Salajah believed she had hit a wall.

She wasn't failing in school because she didn't care. In fact, she worked incredibly hard. But no matter how much she studied, standardized tests kept standing between her and a high school diploma.

"I kept coming so close," she said. "I'd miss the score by just one or two points. After a while, I started thinking, 'Maybe I just can't do this.'"

Today, that same student is a proud graduate of Duval County Acceleration Academies. She's exploring a future career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), searching for her first job, and encouraging other students to keep going, even when the road feels impossible.

Her story is proof that sometimes all it takes is the right support, at the right time.

A Different Path Forward

Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, Salajah spent much of her education in a homeschool environment.

Academically, she did well in most subjects. Math, however, was always a challenge.

"I struggled with math from elementary school all the way through high school," she said.

After repeatedly falling just short on the assessments required to earn her diploma, Salajah began exploring other options, including a GED program.

While she respects that the GED is the right path for many students, she explains that it wasn't the right fit for her.

"I felt overwhelmed," she said. "I was asking myself, 'Can I really do this? Should I just give up?'"

Then she received an unexpected phone call about Duval County Acceleration Academies, an alternative public high school opening in Jacksonville in partnership with Duval County Public Schools. The new high school option would allow Salajah to complete her high school credits and testing requirements in a supportive environment that prioritizes fostering collaborative relationships between students, their families and teachers.

At first, she was skeptical.

"I got a voicemail and honestly wondered if it was a scam," she laughed. "But I called back, learned more, and decided to give it a chance."

That decision changed everything.

Finding a Place to Belong

Coming from a fully virtual, homeschool background, Salajah wasn't sure what to expect when she enrolled at Duval County Acceleration Academies.

"I was nervous," she said. "I wondered if people would like me, if I'd fit in, if I'd be awkward."

Those worries disappeared quickly.

Duval County Acceleration Academies is a hybrid high school, which means all coursework is administered through an engaging online learning management system, and students split their time between in-person learning at the academy and remote learning at home.

Teachers — also known as Content Coaches — work with students to create personalized learning plans designed to keep graduation candidates on track toward their high school diploma.

"Everyone was so welcoming,” Salajah said. “The environment felt relaxed, comfortable and supportive."

She also appreciated the academy's flexibility. Because she doesn't drive yet, having extended hours made it easier for family members to bring her to the academy when it worked for their schedules.

"It wasn't, 'You have to be here at this exact time or you're out of luck,'" she said. "That flexibility made a huge difference."

Even after leaving for the day, she knew help from her content coaches was only a text or phone call away.

"If I needed something, my teachers were always there."

The Power of One-on-One Support

One person made an especially lasting impact: her math coach, Caroline Wilner.

Instead of simply giving Salajah answers, Wilner sat beside her, walked through problems step by step, and encouraged her to believe she was capable of solving them herself.

"She'd tell me, 'I know you can do this,'" Salajah said. "She'd let me work through it on my own, but I knew if I got stuck, she was right there."

That personalized support helped transform a subject Salajah had struggled with for years into something she could finally understand.

"Sometimes you need someone sitting beside you explaining it," she said. "You can miss one little step in math and suddenly everything is wrong. Having someone who could show me exactly where I was getting stuck made all the difference."

The Moment Everything Changed

One of Salajah's proudest moments came after taking an important assessment.

The first time she attempted the test, she missed the passing score by just a few points.

Instead of letting disappointment define her, Wilner encouraged her to keep going.

"She told me, 'You're so close. You can do this.'"

So, Salajah studied, took a break when she needed one and tried again.

This time, she passed.

"I called everyone," she said. "I was so excited. Miss Caroline, Miss April, everyone congratulated me. I didn't think I could get there."

For Wilner, Salajah's success wasn't simply about passing a test. It was about refusing to let setbacks define her.

"Salajah's journey to earning her high school diploma is a testament to the power of perseverance," Wilner said. "With determination to meet her math graduation requirement, she approached every challenge with resilience, patience and an unwavering commitment to her goal. Her willingness to keep learning, ask questions and never give up despite any obstacles serves as an inspiring reminder that success belongs to those who continue moving forward, even when the path is difficult."

The biggest celebration came later when Salajah received a text message from her Graduation Candidate Advocate.

"Congratulations. You are now graduation ready. You did it."

"I kept reading the text over and over," Salajah said. "I couldn't believe it."

More Than a Diploma

Graduating didn't just earn Salajah a diploma.

It gave her confidence.

"I learned to believe in myself," she said. "You might not get something the first time, or the second, or even the fifth, but if you keep trying, you can do it."

That mindset is shaping what's next.

She's currently looking for a job while preparing to pursue training as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a career that combines her desire to help others with the confidence she's gained through her educational journey.

"I realized you can start something new at any age," she said. "That really motivated me."

A Message for Students Who Feel Stuck

Looking back, she's grateful she answered that unexpected phone call.

"I had no idea what I was going to do," she said. "Acceleration Academies came into my life at exactly the right time."

For students who wonder if they're capable of finishing high school, Salajah hopes her story offers reassurance.

"If you're struggling, don't give up," she said. "Find the program that's right for you and keep going. It will be worth it."

Sometimes success isn't about finding an easier path.

Sometimes it's about finding people who never stop believing in you until you believe in yourself.

Duval County Acceleration Academies partners with Duval County Public Schools to offer an alternative high school option for students who stepped away from high school and didn't graduate with their class. The unique model provides support and flexibility in a modern learning environment. Each student takes one course at a time and receives a personalized learning plan to guide their success. Through online coursework, in-person academic coaching and social-emotional support, Acceleration Academies meet students where they are as they pursue a high school diploma.