The Anderson County Innovation Academy (ACIA) has set a record for the number of December graduates after a very successful fall semester. The school, which includes the Bridge Academy and the Anderson County Online Learning Academy (ACOLA), had 15 seniors complete all of their high school graduation requirements in December. The previous record, from December 2016, was 10 early graduates. Being an early graduate allows students to start college or trade school early and/or join the workforce full time. This year’s graduates are going in many directions, including attending Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), Roane State Community College, or working in the industrial field.
“The commitment and dedication that these [December graduates] poured into their education is admirable and impressive,” says program coordinator and counselor Sheila Skeans. “Many of them overcame great obstacles in order to create their own personal success stories. As a staff, we feel honored and privileged to have been part of the journey for each of these graduates.” While each December graduate has completed all the requirements for graduation set by the State of Tennessee and Anderson County, students will not officially receive their high school diploma until the May 2022 commencement ceremony.
The ACIA, as part of the Anderson County School System, has been serving students through online learning since fall 2009. Beginning with the Bridge Academy (a program for students who are at-risk of not graduating), formerly known as the Fast Track Academy, ACIA has expanded to include the ACOLA (home-based virtual learners), and the Opportunity Credits programs (students who are referred by their school counselors and need to recover credits and/or earn new credits required for graduation). Since its inception, ACIA has graduated 316 students and has an overall graduation rate of over 95%.
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For more information, please contact Principal Jeff Harshbarger at 865-755-3115 or jharshbarger@acs.ac
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