Atlanta News First, an independent local TV station in Atlanta, Ga., recently reported on the positive impact that Gwinnett County Acceleration Academies (GCAA) is having on teens and young adults in Duluth, Ga., for a story titled “Gwinnett County students to graduate after given second chance with non-traditional, free program.”
This December, GCAA celebrated 48 graduates from the alternative education program, which is offered in partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools. GCAA is a free, non-traditional pathway designed for learners who struggled in a conventional school setting.
Among the graduates is Cobi Dawson, who said the alternative model gave him a chance to focus on his future in a supportive environment.
Interim Director Morris Bevily IV emphasized the program’s mission to reach learners who felt unseen or unheard in traditional classrooms, including working students, student-parents, and those managing anxiety.
Another graduate, Weston Charles, described his experience as challenging but ultimately rewarding, noting that the GCAA helped him stay focused and complete his courses. Both Charles and Dawson credited their success to the encouragement of teachers, peers, and especially their families.
The Acceleration Academies model reflects a growing commitment to alternative education pathways that meet students where they are and provide flexible, supportive routes to graduation. For many, this program represents a second chance — one that leads not only to a diploma, but to renewed confidence and future opportunity.
