December 19, 2024 | Jeffrey Good
For Briseyda Valdez-Alonso, the last chapter of high school was anything but carefree. One of her cousins got in a terrible car crash. Another cousin, a baby, died. Heartbroken at home, Briseyda felt unmotivated to show up for classes at her former high school.
When she did, she felt alone. “Most public schools think whatever happens at home stays at home; ‘You can’t bring that here,’ ” says Briseyda. “But it’s not something I could take off like a bag and leave at home.”
At Lee County Acceleration Academies (LCAA) in Fort Myers, she found the perfect blend of academic rigor and personal support.
“Here, you bring something and they’ll help you with the burden,” she says. “When it comes to mental health, they actually care.”
Briseyda is not alone.
Mental health problems are on the rise for high school age students, with four in 10 reporting persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, according to the most recent federal Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
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The isolation brought by the Covid pandemic, the pressures of social media and challenges at home are cited as major factors. And for many high schoolers, the crowding, lack of personal attention and aggressive social dynamics of traditional schools only add to the burden.
Many students enrolling at Acceleration Academies across the nation say they came to seek a mentally healthy place to pursue their diplomas.
Like Briseyda, they find support that includes academics but extends beyond the three Rs.
Supporting Student Mental Health with a Respectful Atmosphere
Ivan Agyeman moved to the United States from Ghana and, at first, spoke English with an accent that drew smirks and snide comments from classmates at his former public high school. Making matters worse, the teachers didn’t seem to have the time or concern to help him.
“It got to the point where nobody was looking at me — and I thought if they’re not going to look at me, I’m just not going to come to class.”
Happily, Ivan found his way to the East campus of Clark County Acceleration Academies. There, he found teachers and mentors who took the time to get to know him as a person instead of just another number on a class roster.
Ivan also found an atmosphere in which the students — called “graduation candidates” to remind them of their goals — are expected to treat each other with respect.
“Here nobody’s going to call you names or laugh at you. We’re all here for the same reason,” says Ivan. “We’re here to learn, not to laugh at each other or talk about each other.”
Balancing Personal and Academic Needs to Support Student Mental Health
Montgomery “Monty” Glock says that at her former high school, she was unable to balance the demands of regular school days and the need to get regular treatment for depression, anxiety and addiction disorder.
“I have mental health issues and I was on the verge of getting expelled because of missing too many school days,” says Monty. Her mother pulled her out of that school and went looking for another one that would offer more flexibility. “She tried every high school in the area; nobody would accept me because of the number of days I would miss.”
Then Monty and her mother learned about Carolina Shores Acceleration Academy, a free public charter school whose flexible scheduling allows learners like Monty to balance their personal and academic needs.
“I didn’t want to get my GED; I wanted to get a regular high school diploma and still make my doctor appointments,” says Monty. At Carolina Shores, she found the perfect balance — so perfect that she recently graduated ahead of schedule and was chosen as one of two student speakers at commencement.
“The teachers are amazing here. They understand what you’re going through,” says Monty. With their support, Monty worked from home when she needed that quiet space, and came to campus when she needed support from teachers or wanted to learn alongside her classmates.
“It was the perfect sanctuary,” says Monty, who will soon be the first daughter in her family to go to college. “It’s the perfect school for people who struggle to find their place in public school.”
Acceleration Academies cares about the mental health and well-being of high school students at our locations nationwide. Our learning model is designed to support academic and non-academic challenges that students face by providing support services from teachers and mentors, a flexible schedule, a welcoming environment, and an online curriculum. Learn more >>