Duval County Acceleration Academies Is a New, Tuition-Free Pathway to a High School Diploma Offering a Flexible Schedule and Wrap-Around Supports
This non-traditional school is approved by the district and open to students ages 17-21 who need an alternative high school program
DUVAL, Flor. - March 25, 2026 – Students in Duval County, Florida, who left high school and didn’t graduate with their class have a new way to earn their high school diploma. Duval County Acceleration Academies is a tuition-free, non-traditional school program, in partnership with Duval County Public Schools. Upon completion, students receive a high school diploma from their school district and all the rights and honors conferred with that diploma.
Duval County Acceleration Academies is a hybrid school program, which means online courses are paired with in-person support from licensed teachers, mentors and advisors.
Students take one class at a time and each course is designed to be completed in 2-3 weeks. This allows students to focus without juggling multiple classes so they can master course material and confidently move on to the next course. Classes are online and are available 24 hours a day, and the Academy is open year-round. Laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots are provided.
Students are called “graduation candidates” to continually remind them of their goal — to graduate from high school so that they can move on to college, the military, trade schools or career.
“Duval County Acceleration Academies is committed to student success,” said Terry Harper, director of Duval County Acceleration Academies. “By providing targeted support, flexible learning options and a student-centered approach, we help learners overcome barriers, regain confidence and unlock the opportunities they deserve. This program isn’t just about credit recovery, it’s about empowering students to thrive in school and beyond.”
“Acceleration Academies is a proven program that has been implemented in 20 different locations around the country. Over 6,000 students have graduated from their high school through our programs, and we feel honored to have helped them reach a goal that might have felt out of reach before they came through our doors,” said Kelli Campbell, the CEO of Acceleration Academies who is a proud first-generation college graduate and high school graduate.
Learn more about the program at https://info.accelerationacademies.org/duval.
About Acceleration Academies
Duval County Acceleration Academies operates a hybrid school in partnership with Duval Public Schools. Like all public school programs, Duval Acceleration Academies is free of charge for students aged 17-21 who want to earn their diplomas. Graduation Candidates take one class at a time online and attend school in Jacksonville.
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Media Contact:
Alyssa Reynolds for Acceleration Academies
Pando Public Relations
alyssa@pandopublicrelations.com
916.430.0934
Photos of Duval County Acceleration Academies will be available soon. Here are photos from a different Acceleration Academy in Bethel Washington.
A graduation candidate works on coursework at another Acceleration Academies in Bethel Washington. Photo credit: Acceleration Academies
Graduation candidates work on coursework at another Acceleration Academies in Bethel Washington. A similar set up is available at Duval County Acceleration Academies. Photo credit: Acceleration Academies