Three years ago, Naxieli Serret was struggling to stay afloat in high school. It’s not that she didn’t want to do well, earn her diploma and pursue her dream of becoming a psychologist. It was simply that she couldn’t balance her other responsibilities with a traditional school schedule.

The Lowcountry Luau proved to be more than a coming out party for a new high school option in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. It was also a place where students, educators and South Carolina community partners pledged their commitment to a better way.

Math doesn’t come easily but, as Denisha Palmer can tell you, neither does life.

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: It’s graduation season, and we are celebrating the members of our Class of...

Jax Randles began dropping out of school in 6th grade. And while officials would bring him to truancy court time and time again, he never fully went back — until he found his way to Bethel Acceleration Academies.

Kenny Bazile couldn’t stop grinning. As he and other members of the newly minted St. Lucie Acceleration Academies Class of 2021 strode across the stage to receive their high school diplomas, he knew that he had earned something huge. Kenny had cycled in and out of school, but it wasn’t just the...

When Jamese Williams arrived at Sarasota Acceleration Academies, the first person to welcome her was a fast-talking, deep-feeling guy from the Bronx, Frank Cruz. And he didn’t leave her side until Jamese had realized her dream of a high school diploma.