Every day, young people leave high school without the support they need to succeed. Too often, their experiences are reduced to statistics—numbers that fail to capture their potential or the systemic barriers standing in their way.
At Acceleration Academies, we believe those stories deserve more attention and better solutions. That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new Research & Policy Team, dedicated to advancing data-driven insights that help schools and communities better support opportunity youth.
What the team will focus on
- Shining a light on barriers faced by students who have been disengaged from traditional high school pathways
- Elevating actionable data that helps schools re-engage learners
- Driving evidence-based solutions for students who have been left behind
The urgency is clear. Graduation rates have plateaued, chronic absenteeism has increased, and students experiencing poverty, learning differences, or language barriers continue to face disproportionately high dropout rates. Behind every data point is a young person with promise—and a system that can do better.
Our first research release
We’re excited to share the Research & Policy Team’s first white paper: The Economic and Social Benefits of Re-Engaging High School Dropouts. This report outlines what communities gain when they invest in students who deserve a second chance—and why re-engagement matters not just for individuals, but for society as a whole.