Duval County Students Who Might Not Have Completed High School Celebrate Graduation from Acceleration Academies
The tuition-free school provides a flexible, personalized pathway for students up to age 21 who need an alternative route to graduation.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – September 30, 2026 – On September 15, 2026, 12 students from Duval County Acceleration Academies walked across the stage to collect their diplomas at the high school’s first-ever graduation ceremony. The tuition-free Duval County Acceleration Academies offers flexible pathways to academic success for students with a wide range of goals and circumstances. For these new graduates, the combination of personalized support and a student-centered approach helped them take the next step toward their futures.
"I learned to believe in myself,” said graduate Salajah Smith-Valentine. “You might not get something the first time, or the second, or even the fifth, but if you keep trying, you can do it." She finished her graduation requirements a few months ago, making her Duval County Acceleration Academies’ first official graduate, but she chose to walk in last week’s ceremony.
Duval County Acceleration Academies is the result of an innovative partnership between Duval County Public Schools and Acceleration Academies, and is accredited by Cognia. The school offers students aged 17–21 the opportunity to learn both in-person and at home, with personalized support from licensed teachers. To help students balance education with work, family responsibilities, or career training, the school operates year-round, with schedules built around each learner. A unique one-course-at-a-time approach allows students to focus on deepening their knowledge and building new skills without the stress of juggling multiple subjects.
“We celebrate with our Duval County Acceleration Academies graduates today and thank them all for their hard work to reach this important milestone,” said Kelli Campbell, CEO of Acceleration Academies. “Many of these students have persevered despite what might have seemed impossible only a few years ago, and here they are with high school diplomas and every opportunity ahead of them.”
Terry Harper, Director of Duval County Acceleration Academies, concluded, “Congratulations to every student who is graduating today. We call our students ‘Graduation Candidates’ for the entire time they are with us, but today they are officially High School Graduates! It has been an honor to work with them all, as they struggled through personal and academic challenges. We are inspired by your dedication, grit and determination to cross the finish line.”
Duval County Acceleration Academies is now operating out of their permanent space at 3127 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 3, in Jacksonville. The school is currently accepting applications for students ages 17-21.
About Acceleration Academies
As a leading school district partner in student-centered alternative education, Acceleration Academies provides students a real second chance at a high school diploma by offering a hybrid learning model that blends in-person academic coaching with engaging online coursework, flexible scheduling and personalized support from teachers and mentors. Acceleration Academies operates 27 academies in seven states. Find more information at accelerationacademies.org.
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Media Contact:
Alyssa Reynolds for Acceleration Academies
alyssa@pandopublicrelations.com
916.430.0934
A Flickr folder with additional graduation photos is available here. Please reach out if you would like us to try to identify the names of graduates pictured in the photos.
Students from Duval County Acceleration Academies, along with family and friends, celebrate their graduation. Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies.
Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies
Students from Duval County Acceleration Academies, along with family and friends, celebrate their graduation. Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies.
Students from Duval County Acceleration Academies, along with family and friends, celebrate their graduation. Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies.
Students from Duval County Acceleration Academies, along with family and friends, celebrate their graduation. Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies.
Students from Duval County Acceleration Academies, along with family and friends, celebrate their graduation. Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies.