Myrtle Beach Students Who Might Not Otherwise Have Graduated Earned Their High School Diplomas This Year

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – June 12, 2025 - Today, 25 students from Carolina Shores Acceleration Academy (CSAA) walked across the stage to collect their high school diplomas thanks to an innovative program to reengage students in danger of dropping out. The ceremony is especially meaningful for these students who previously struggled in traditional schools but found the academic and personal support they needed to earn their high school diplomas at CSAA.

The ceremony commenced at 10:00 a.m. at HGTC Grand Strand Conference and Business Center. Students celebrated with their families and other supporters. Dr. Perry Mills, Chief Opportunity Zone Officer of South Carolina Public Charter School District attended and addressed the students.

“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!” said Deirdra Brasch, EdD, Academy Director at CSAA. “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.”

Acceleration Academies offers a free alternative pathway to a high school diploma that combines in person and online study with coaching and support for students who need a more flexible option. Their unique approach meets each student where they are with a balance between autonomy and the support they need to complete the required courses to earn their high school diploma.

Carolina Shores Acceleration Academy is a South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD) high school. Like all public school programs, CSAA is free of charge for high school aged students who want to earn their diplomas. Most of the CSAA students were struggling in traditional schools and were unlikely to finish high school without extra support and flexibility the Acceleration Academy schools offer. However, there are also students who need the flexibility of a non-traditional school to accommodate family obligations, working full time, or their pursuit of athletics or music and other endeavors like Performing Arts.

“We celebrate with our CSAA graduates today and thank them all for their hard work to reach this important milestone. 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 with every opportunity ahead of them,” said Kelli Campbell, CEO of Acceleration Academies. ​ 

About Acceleration Academies
​Over 6,500 students are pursuing their path to a high school diploma through Acceleration Academies, which operates 20 academies in six states. Education Week recently featured the network in a special report on re-engaging students after the pandemic. Acceleration Academies provides a blend of in-person and remote coursework, individualized learning plans, flexible scheduling and career/life coaching to help students who may otherwise not be successful in earning their diploma. Find more information at accelerationacademies.org. 

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Media Contact: ​
​Alyssa Reynolds, for Acceleration Academies
​alyssa@pandopublicrelations.com ​
​916.430.0934

Note to media: Interviews with recent graduates can be arranged upon request. Additional photographs of the ceremony and the graduates will be added soon. If you wish to be notified when more are available or need anything immediately, please reach out to alyssa@pandopublicrelations.com. 

Left to Right: Jahmya Grice Dukes, Derry'Lana Holmes, Alivia Jimenez Larrimore, and Ke'Shiya King. Photo courtesy of Acceleration AcademiesLeft to Right: Dr. Jacinta Bryant, Regional Vice President, Acceleration Academies, Dr. Deirdra Brasch, Academy Director, Carolina Shores Acceleration Academy, and Dr. Perry Mills, Chief Zone Officer, South Carolina Public Charter School District. Photo courtesy of Acceleration Academies