Our Blog
The Stories & Insights That Matter
SAA’s Frank Cruz: ‘I Just Want to Be a Beacon for These Guys’
Frank Cruz is a graduation candidate advocate who has been on staff since Sarasota Acceleration Academies opened in 2018. If he knows more than a little about the struggles of the young learners who s...
Academies in Action: Looking Forward to Learners Returning to Campus
Each month, we take a moment to learn from the educational leaders who are bringing the Acceleration Academies mission to life, day in and day out, by asking them to answer a simple prompt. This month...
CCAA’s Hashima Carothers: It Takes a Team
Growing up in North Las Vegas, Hashima Carothers didn’t have a lot of money. But she had a spark of talent — both intellectual and academic — and people who stood ready to fan it. “I was lucky to have...
‘That Phone Call, It Changed My Life’
When a representative of Clark County Acceleration Academies told Patrick Bell he could finish up his coursework in a program that featured a personalized curriculum, one-on-one coaching and a schedul...
Bethel Rolls Out Sixth Grad Caravan
Story and photos by Matt Baide Even though the pandemic is slowly winding down and things are returning to normal(ish), there are still some things that haven’t returned, including traditional graduat...
Celebrating Our Young Moms
Some of our most dedicated graduation candidates are not only working hard for their high school diplomas, but also striving to be the best possible mothers to their children. In honor of Mother’s Day...
‘Gotta Better Yourself. Gotta Look Forward’
Marc Orbegozo knew that a high school diploma was an important stepping stone, but he wondered at times whether he would achieve it. If he hadn’t found Miami-Dade Acceleration Academies, would he be i...
Academies in Action: What Makes an Educator GREAT?
Each month, we take a moment to learn from the Academy Directors who are bringing the Acceleration Academies mission to life, day in and day out, by asking them to answer a simple prompt. This month, ...
Educators Help Brothers Find Their Future at Sarasota Acceleration Academies
For the Sierra family, Sarasota Acceleration Academies have become a vital step toward success in life. Christian Sierra recently joined the ranks of newly minted graduates — following in the footstep...
‘Let’s Start a New Beginning’: Lowcountry Acceleration Academy’s Founding Leader Will Help Students Turn Pain into Purpose
When it opens this summer, Lowcountry Acceleration Academy will be led by Dr. Jacinta Bryant, a Charleston native and veteran educational leader who looks forward to creating a school where young peop...
Homeless Student Finds Nourishment of All Kinds at SAA
Alissia Guzman, 18, dropped out of high school when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down her school during her senior year. Her family as homeless and she couldn’t afford a computer to do coursework remote...
Nakaya Domina: Taking Charge of Her Destiny
At the age of 16, Nakaya Domina shows some hard-earned insight. At her original high school, she acknowledges, she focused more on building a social life than on building an academic foundation. She d...
