Adore Carter finds her inspiration within. She loves to paint portraits, and to express emotions with writing. “Words are like paintbrushes.”

Ashton Kolek would have a hard time focusing on his high school studies while also working 30-35 hours a week at a job that he finds not only financially helpful but also personally rewarding.

Markel Jackson stopped by Sarasota Acceleration Academies one day to eat pizza with his former classmates and teachers, to fill them in on his job and plans for the future — and to laugh, laugh and laugh some more.

For the caring educators at Sarasota Acceleration Academies, Tyree Ford says he’s not sure where he’d be — on the streets, running with the wrong crowd, maybe back in trouble with the law.

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

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.