Academy for Community Partners: A Student-Centered Comeback

Redesigning Recovery with a Hybrid, Community-First Approach

Stats:

Letter Grades:
Improved from an “F” to a “B” on the State Report Card

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Graduation Rate Gain:
Jumped from 28% to 57% in three years

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Enrollment Growth:
Increased from 134 to 184 students in one year

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Attendance Increase:
Boosted on-time daily attendance in a single semester

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State Ranking:
ACP Basketball ranked #1 in Arizona (Flag Football #2)

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After serving students in Mesa, Arizona for over 25 years, Academy for Community Partners (ACP) faced a difficult chapter following the sudden passing of its founding school leader. Enrollment declined, financial instability mounted, and the school fell into operational noncompliance.

In 2021, ACP partnered with ACCEL Schools to build a new future rooted in community, stability, and student choice. Within one year, ACCEL brought the school back into full operational compliance, made critical campus upgrades, and introduced a hybrid learning model to better meet students where they are—academically, socially, and personally.

Key Outcomes:

Academic Growth: Raised state report card from an “F” to a “B”
Graduation Rate: Doubled in three years from 28% to 57%
Enrollment: Grew to 184 students across in-person and online models
Athletics: Launched a thriving sports program—#1 basketball team, #2 in flag football statewide
Finance: Returned the school to a budget surplus after years of instability

A Hybrid Model That Meets Students Where They Are

Today, ACP allows students to move fluidly between online and in-person programs offering flexible paths to graduation based on each student’s needs. The school’s innovative hybrid design supports credit recovery, life responsibilities, and a safe return to learning after disruptions.

A Community Rebuilt

With a new school leader, new community partnerships, and renewed trust, ACP has become a hub of opportunity in Mesa. From career fairs and family nights to partnerships with ASU, SRP, and YearUp, the school is once again a place where students are seen, supported, and set up to succeed.