On the cap she wore to celebrate her recent graduation from Miami-Dade Acceleration Academies (MDAA), Daniela Arbelaez emblazoned this message: “The pain you feel today is the strength you will feel tomorrow.”

We all know that obtaining a diploma is something to be proud of, but it can be easy to lose sight of just how much this achievement can impact your life. From professional advancement to personal satisfaction, it's not just a sheet of paper — it's a key that unlocks countless doors

At her old high school, the crowded classrooms and bright lights felt overwhelming to Ellerie Hamner. And because she has epilepsy, having to get up early each morning to begin a traditional school day jarred her system in a way that sometimes caused petit mal seizures.

When the pandemic hit the United States, it disrupted education and forced students and teachers to adapt in new ways. Suddenly, the traditional school system couldn’t operate the same way because classes weren’t held in person for a time.

At Carolina Shores Acceleration Academy, the learning opportunities extend beyond reading, writing and arithmetic — all the way into the future college and career paths of students, also known as graduation candidates, working hard to earn their high school diplomas.

For each of the 16 graduates celebrated at the most recent Gwinnett County Acceleration Academies (GCAA) commencement, the day represented not an ordinary step in their life journey but instead an extraordinary triumph of their determination.

When Alexiann Edwards moved to Florida from her native Jamaica early in 2023, she wanted to complete her high school career at a different kind of school.

Lowcountry Acceleration Academy (LAA) celebrated its newest class of graduates at a ceremony honoring the way each of the 34 young learners had pushed through challenges to earn a high school diploma many might have thought out of reach.

Finishing high school is no small feat. Sometimes, finding the motivation to complete your diploma can be challenging. With family circumstances, job demands or struggles within the classroom, it can be tough to see the worth of investing time in your education. You might ask yourself, “Why does...