On most days at DeKalb County Acceleration Academies (DAA), you’ll find Terrell and Jayden not too far from each other — joking, checking in on their course progress and quietly keeping each other accountable.

When you meet 17-year-old Victoria Lopez — affectionately known as Tori by her friends and family — you’re struck by her warmth, confidence and passion for helping others.

At 19, Julius Hall has big dreams of joining the U.S. Air Force. There is just one thing standing in his way: a high school diploma.

As a high school student, Hailee Storm knew she wanted to play volleyball in college.

BriYanna Scott stood before her fellow members of the Gwinnett County Acceleration Academies graduating class and marveled at how far they all had come.

Gracelyn Rouleau is wrapping up her time as a high school student at St. Lucie Acceleration Academies, but not long ago, she wasn’t sure she’d make it to graduation.

Nobody has to tell Ann Evans that high school students can be cruel.

Not so long ago, Layla Marie Bradley dreaded going to school. The hectic hallways, crowded classrooms and lack of personal attention from teachers left her feeling lost.

At her former, traditional high school, Eliana Ruiz said she had trouble concentrating on multiple subjects at a time. And when she needed help with algebra and other challenging subjects, the teachers didn’t seem to have the time.