More than 500 Clark 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 aged 14-20 who need an alternative route to graduation.
LAS VEGAS, – October 2, 2026 - Yesterday, more than 500 students from Clark County Acceleration Academies’ four Las Vegas campuses walked across the stage to collect their high school diplomas, cheered on by families and other supporters. The celebration marked Clark County Acceleration Academies’ largest graduating class. As tuition-free, public high schools that offer flexible pathways to academic success, Clark County Acceleration Academies serve students who have a wide range of goals and circumstances. For these graduates, the combination of personalized support and a student-centered approach helped them take the next step toward their futures.
Ernesto Hernandez celebrated his diploma with his family by his side. A few years ago, Ernesto left high school when his grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. As a young man, was trying to balance school with helping care for his grandfather and keeping the family business running. As his responsibilities grew, his attendance began to slip, and he eventually withdrew from school. His grandfather passed away in 2024. After spending about two years away from school, Ernesto found Clark County Acceleration Academies and enrolled in early 2026. With only a few credits left, he worked toward completing his diploma while also working.
“I think, yeah, he would be proud of me,” Ernesto said of his grandfather.
For Ernesto’s mother, Anabel, this accomplishment is especially meaningful. She was 18 and still in high school when she became pregnant with her first child and considered dropping out, but her own mother encouraged her to finish. Now, more than 20 years later, she wanted to make sure her son received the same encouragement to keep going that she did.
“For me, it’s not just a piece of paper,” Anabel said. “For me, it’s an achievement, a goal for my son. For me, it’s such a big deal. Acceleration Academies really take that extra mile for the student, for them to graduate. It matters a lot. This program doesn’t look at you as a number. They look at you as a person.”
Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of the Clark County School District, attended the event and addressed the students. Other dignitaries included:
- Kevin McPartlin, Associate Superintendent of the Clark County School District;
- Danielle Jones, Director of the Education Services Division at the Clark County School District;
- Cecil Fiedler of Workforce Connections; and
- Emily Stevens, President of the Clark County School District Board of School Trustees.
“Congratulations to every student who is graduating today,” said Priscilla Alonzo, Academy Director of Clark County Acceleration Academies East. “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.”
Clark County Acceleration Academies is the result of an innovative partnership between Clark County School District and Acceleration Academies, and is accredited by Cognia. The school offers students aged 14–20 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 Clark 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 odds only a few years ago, and here they are with high school diplomas and every opportunity ahead of them.”
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
Clark County Acceleration Academies students celebrate their accomplishments. Photo credit: Acceleration Academies.
Clark County Acceleration Academies students celebrate their accomplishments. Photo credit: Acceleration Academies.
Clark County Acceleration Academies students celebrate their accomplishments. Photo credit: Acceleration Academies.
Clark County Acceleration Academies Director Tam Larnerd presents graduate Daniel Vega Meza with a Sharp Award. The Sharp Award recognizes graduates who demonstrate academic excellence, determination, future-focused planning and a strong commitment to lifting others up along the way. Photo credit: Acceleration Academies.
