Addressing the graduates of the Sarasota Acceleration Academies Class of 2024 at their recent commencement celebration, academy director Michelle Llinas reflected on Robert Frost’s most famous poem.

When Jax Randles looked out at other members of the Bethel Acceleration Academies (BAA) Class of 2024, he marveled at how far he and his classmates had come.

There’s lots of emphasis on understanding the reasons why young people drop out of high school. At Acceleration Academies, we’ve met thousands of young adults who have faced a diverse set of challenges on their path to high school graduation.

Acceleration Academies of Ector County (EAA) celebrated its latest class of graduates in a festive ceremony with parents, educators and the new leader of the nationwide network of non-traditional high school programs cheering them on.

Many young people move through high school with a bright sense of possibility. Evyn Wright, by contrast, struggled under a darkening cloud.

Makenna Wheeler had always been an eager, accomplished student. With a wry smile, she says, “I used to always raise my hand, every question — even if I didn’t know it.”

Kaylee Holt had always been a strong student, earning As and Bs and making steady progress toward her high school diploma and college education beyond. But then she began algebra and, suddenly, all those plans seemed in question.

Congratulations on being accepted to enroll at Acceleration Academies! You might be asking yourself “What happens next?”

Clark County Acceleration Academies (CCAA) began the new year with pomp and circumstance, celebrating the latest class of graduates — 142 young people who pushed through adversity to earn their high school diplomas and move ahead toward college, trade school, military service and well-paying jobs.