On January 10, Phoenix Academy celebrated its Mid-Year Graduation Ceremony, honoring 34 seniors who have achieved their high school diplomas through the academy’s innovative credit recovery program.
Phoenix Academy, a credit-recovery and semester-based program within the School District of Lancaster, serves students who have fallen behind in traditional high school settings. Tyler Real, Director of Operations at the academy, emphasized the unique role Phoenix plays in the district.
“Today, we’re celebrating 34 students who have achieved the 24-credit goal along with 58 other graduation requirements,” Tyler shared. “Because of our semester-based system, students have the ability to accelerate their progress. We provide them the tools to catch up and move forward.”
Phoenix Academy often faces misconceptions, with many viewing it as a last resort for struggling students. Tyler addressed this misunderstanding.
“Phoenix Academy is a place of opportunity. Our school mascot, the firebird, symbolizes rebirth and resilience. Many of our students come here burdened with labels—whether due to anxiety, personal struggles, or challenges in traditional school settings. Here, they can shed those labels and discover their potential and find space to rewrite their stories. We’re here to support them, no matter their starting point.”
For 11th and 12th-grade team lead Kayla Williams, the day was personal. “Seeing these students graduate is incredible. They’ve faced so many challenges, yet they’ve done the work, and now they’re stepping into their futures with confidence. It’s a privilege to watch them grow into themselves.”
Kayla, who began her journey at Phoenix as a teacher, reflected on her transition to leadership. “Moving from the classroom to leading the team was challenging. But through building relationships and learning from mistakes, I’ve grown just as much as the students have. Phoenix is about elevating everyone—students and staff alike.”
Trayvon, one of the 34 graduates, shared his experience with the program. He initially joined Phoenix as an 11th grader, needing just one credit to move forward. Within a short time, he not only recovered the missing credit but also surpassed expectations.
“When I came here, I was technically an 11th grader but missing a credit. At Phoenix, I was able to catch up and even get ahead,” he said with a smile.
Trayvon spoke highly of his experience, noting the welcoming environment and personalized support.
“The teachers and staff here are so different—they really care,” he said. “Here, I felt supported, and I was challenged to do better every day.”
Graduating three months ahead of schedule, Trayvon is now preparing for the next chapter: studying HVAC and plumbing at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. But his dreams don’t stop there.
“My goal is to get into real estate, fix up homes, and eventually own properties,” he shared. “Phoenix gave me the confidence to believe I can do it.”
Each year, Phoenix Academy helps hundreds of students reclaim their educational paths. With an enrollment of around 200 students annually, the school accounts for a significant portion of the district’s graduates. Last year alone, Phoenix Academy contributed nearly 150 graduates to the district’s total.
For the staff and students of Phoenix Academy, the Mid-Year Graduation is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when students are met with belief, support, and opportunity.
“This is a building where students are lifted up,” Kayla said. “We meet them where they are, help them grow, and ensure they finish strong. That’s the heart of Phoenix Academy.” For more photos, visit us on Facebook.
