The migraines began in Gracie’s junior year of high school. “It was really debilitating,” she said. “Sometimes it got so bad that I couldn’t walk and I couldn’t see straight. It made school really hard.” But Gracie didn’t want to quit. And her supporters at the Bellevue School District weren’t going to let her. “My
When Dustin Goldie talks about teaching, his voice rises and his face brightens. He loves being a teacher. But when Goldie was first put in charge of the brand new Kings Local School District employability program, in Kings Mill, Ohio, he worried that he might be spending a lot of time on curriculum. “It’s all
In today’s economy, a high school diploma is no longer the preferred credential — it’s an absolutely essential starting point. That’s why the Montgomery County Education Service Center has helped students from 14 districts in Western Ohio enroll in programs that provide a flexible and supportive path to achieving their high school diploma. This year
It’s been months since Ruby earned her diploma, but she still lets out a little laugh every time she looks at it. “It makes me so happy,” she said, “but, to be honest, it just all seemed too good to be true.” She had been out of school for more than 20 years when she
For as long as she can remember, Cheyenne has wanted to be a nurse. “Ever since middle school, and maybe before that even, it’s just something I really wanted to do,” said the former Pennsylvania resident, who is now living in Ohio. But before Cheyenne had the chance to finish high school, her plans had
Benjamin knew more doors would open to him with a high school diploma. But with a requirement to spend six hours per day at a place he didn’t want to be, he knew the traditional high school setting wasn’t for him. “It was a struggle,” he said. “I looked at getting a general education degree,
Megan saw first-hand what can happen to a family that doesn’t value education. “I came from a broken-down home,” she said. “I always wanted to finish high school but had obstacles in life. My mom and step-dad were on drugs. I really didn’t have money, but I left home and ventured into the world at
Natasha faced anxiety from the thought of attending a traditional high school classroom. “Anything online and accessible throughout the day was better than regular school in a building at set times,” the Seatac, Washington, native said. “I had dark times and depressed and did not see value in life and going to school and dealing
While growing up, Cassie never became too attached to friends in school. Her family moved around about once a year—making friends stopped being worth the effort. “High school kids are not exactly known to be friendly sometimes,” Cassie said. “The pressures and school atmosphere for the social aspect was hard for me to want to
Madeline wasn’t convinced a traditional high school was quite right for her. When her boyfriend suggested she try Graduation Alliance, as he had, she took after his hard-working example. “In high school I had trouble focusing. It was hectic and I just wanted to have fun,” Madeline said. “With Graduation Alliance I can do my