Acceleration Academies LLC Homestead

Acceleration Academies LLC Homestead is a small alternative high school in Chicago, IL, serving 170 students in grades 8-12 as part of the Miami-Dade district, which ranks 20th out of 70 districts in the state with a 4-star rating.

This school is designed specifically for at-risk or over-aged students who need to recover credits and earn their diplomas outside of a traditional setting. The most striking difference from surrounding schools is its graduation rate, which has ranged from just 8.9% to 21.1% over the last five years, compared to the district and state averages of 88-93%. Test proficiency rates are also dramatically lower—for example, in Algebra 1, only 7% of students are proficient versus 69% in the district and 63% statewide. However, these metrics reflect the intense challenges of the student population rather than a "bad" school; many students arrive far behind in credits and facing significant life obstacles. The fact that any students graduate (9-21%) is a notable achievement given the context.

There are some encouraging signs. Chronic absenteeism has dropped from a staggering 98% in 2019-2020 to 24.1% in 2023-2024, now better than the district and state averages. This suggests the school has found effective ways to re-engage students. Additionally, 9th Grade English Language Arts proficiency jumped from 14% to 42% in recent years, though gains are inconsistent across subjects. The school spends about $8,700 per student, below many Chicago public schools but not drastically low, indicating that funding alone isn't the issue—it's the intensity of student needs. For parents considering this option, the key story is not low test scores but the school's mission to help students who have struggled elsewhere take the critical first steps toward earning a diploma.