Rewriting Fate: How Ashley Reclaimed Her Education

Read time: 5 minutes

For many, a high school diploma is a given—a simple milestone on the path to adulthood. But for Ashley Rogers, it was a hard-won victory that required overcoming years of medical, physical, and systemic challenges. Ashley’s story is a powerful reminder that while health conditions may alter your path, they do not have to define your destination. 

A Dream Deferred by Health 

Ashley grew up in Mesa, Arizona, as an ambitious student. She dreamed of becoming a CEO or even the first female president. Her life changed at nine, when she was diagnosed with her first autoimmune condition. By high school, she managed five autoimmune conditions. She eventually needed two titanium hips and a wheelchair. 

The physical toll of her health led to frequent injections and missed classes. She lost credits as a result. Beyond physical pain, Ashley faced bullying and financial struggles. Even basic school supplies were not easily afforded. 

The Barriers of Traditional Schooling 

Despite her desire to learn, traditional education systems often failed to accommodate her needs. Ashley recalls a particularly painful experience during her senior year when her school opened a new two-story math building. Despite having a doctor’s note stating she needed “lifelong” elevator access, the school refused to uphold the accommodation. 

“Instead of prioritizing my education, they were focused on who used the elevator,” Ashley shared. After being rejected by multiple online schools for missing credits, she began to accept a fate she never wanted: becoming a high school dropout. 

Finding a New Path with Smart Schools 

Not having a diploma haunted Ashley for years. Filling out medical paperwork or customer surveys caused her pain. Finding Smart Schools changed that for her. 

Unlike the rigid structures of her past, Smart Schools offered: 

• Immediate Enrollment: Ashley began the very next day

• True Accessibility: She could complete her coursework from home, even while in bed during a medical flare-up

• Self-Paced Learning: This flexibility allowed her to complete 15 classes in just five months

• Supportive Mentorship: Ashley credits her mentor, Nancy, for being there every step of the way

Success is Success, No Matter When it Happens 

Today, Ashley is a high school graduate. For her, the diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it is a physical representation of her courage and determination. She now looks forward to continuing her education in zoology. 

Ashley’s journey inspires anyone facing what may seem like impossible obstacles. Her message is clear: “If you can do this, you can do anything. Success is success, no matter when it happens.” 

Whether you are managing a chronic illness, dealing with personal setbacks, or simply feel left behind by traditional systems, Ashley’s story proves that it is never too late to rewrite your fate and claim the future you deserve. 

How to Get Started  

Ready to earn your high school diploma? Find out how Smart Schools can help you accomplish your goal and learn more about our free tutoring, academic advising, and flexible learning options. You can achieve your dreams and build a brighter future with the proper support.

From "Off Track" to Future Engineer: Alejandro’s Comeback Story

Read time: 2 minutes

Life rarely follows a straight line. Detours, pauses, and restarts are part of the human experience, especially in education. At Smart Schools, we believe that your past does not dictate your future. No one proves this better than our current student, Alejandro Tirado. 

At 32 years old, Alejandro is proving that finding the right time to finish high school is more important than finishing at the “typical” time. 

The Journey Off Track 

Like many students, Alejandro didn’t start out struggling. During his first and second years of high school, he was thriving. He was an athlete playing football, baseball, and basketball, maintaining A’s and B’s. 

However, during his junior year, his social circle shifted. Alejandro recalls moving away from his teammates and coaches—who provided him with discipline—and falling in with a crowd focused on partying. “I didn’t have that discipline in my life anymore,” Alejandro reflects. The distractions of substance use and skipping class eventually led to too many absences, and he dropped out during his senior year. 

Finding the “Right Season” 

Years later, Alejandro found himself ready for a change. Through his discipleship program at the Dream Center and the encouragement of his brother—a Smart Schools graduate himself—Alejandro decided to enroll. 

For Alejandro, returning to school at 32 wasn’t a burden; it was a blessing. He describes this period of his life as the “right season.” Being in a secure environment at the Dream Center has allowed him to prioritize his education without the distractions that derailed him in the past. 

“I’m not tempted to go out and do bad things,” he says. “I used to procrastinate… I’m focused on it now.” 

A Future in Engineering 

Alejandro isn’t just getting his diploma to check a box; he is building a foundation for a massive future. His goal is to attend South Mountain Community College for two years before transferring to a university to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering. He views this career path as a way to give back.  

Motivated by Love and Faith 

What keeps him going? Alejandro credits his renewed faith, his desire to be a righteous man, and his love for his family. He is pursuing this dream for his mother, his daughter, and ultimately, for himself. He is determined to change his life and be better than he was before. 

Alejandro’s Message: Pursue It 

To anyone currently sitting on the fence, wondering if they have missed their window of opportunity, Alejandro has a simple message: “Pursue it.” 

“It’s never too late because I thought it was late for me already, but it wasn’t so,” Alejandro shares. “If they want to do it, they can do it. They have the potential and willingness to get their diploma.” 

How to Get Started  

Ready to earn your high school diploma? Find out how Smart Schools can help you accomplish your goal and learn more about our free tutoring, academic advising, and flexible learning options. You can achieve your dreams and build a brighter future with the proper support.

Never Too Late: Johnny Jones Achieves Lifelong Goal at 62

Read time: 7 minutes

It's a story of perseverance, dedication, and the power of the right support system. At 62 years old, Johnny Jones has just accomplished something he's always wanted: earning his high school diploma. 

The Journey Isn't Always Direct 

Mr. Jones is a recent graduate of the Smart Schools program, a journey that took him about nine months to complete.  “I accomplished something that I've always wanted to accomplish,” he shared. “So I really, really feel good about that.” 

His path to graduation wasn't direct. Years ago, Mr. Jones had been incredibly close to finishing high school, with only a credit and a half left. When he decided it was time to finally complete that goal, he explored his options. His former high school suggested he enroll at Smart Schools, and after a call and a meeting, he was convinced. 

Benefits of Schedule Flexibility 

“They basically sold me on one of the benefits of using Smart Schools — the flexibility,” he recalled. “It didn’t take me long to make a decision... This is something that would definitely work for me." 

That flexibility was key. As the owner of a janitorial service, Mr. Jones needed a program that could fit into his existing schedule. Smart Schools offered just that. He made a “total commitment,” doing most of his work online but coming into the HUB for exams or when he needed hands-on help. “With the support that I had, the flexibility that I had,” he said, “Smart School was perfect.”

Success Through Strong Support  

Initially, he wasn't sure if he could accomplish it. But the people at Smart Schools made all the difference. “Because of the help and support that I had, it was easy, actually,” he said. 

Mr. Jones credits a team of supportive mentors and staff for keeping him motivated. He mentions Mark, his mentor, and Doug, whom he followed from the Peoria HUB to the Phoenix HUB. He also gave heartfelt thanks to Doug,  Jesus, Tiffany, Genesis, and Sarai. 

“Everybody was just so supportive, and that really, the support is what really got me through,” he explained. “I just can't thank them enough for the time that they gave me and... just helping me achieve my goal... There's no way I would have been able to do it without them.” 

Now a proud graduate, Mr. Jones offers advice for anyone considering this step:  

“I would tell them to go down and talk to some of the people that are running it, the mentors,” he advised. “Just basically find out what all they offer. Because I think once you find out the flexibility... whether it's online or in person, it's just something that they allow you the flexibility to be able to do it on your time. And now it's up to you. They're going to allow you the support, and all you have to do is put your mind to it and do it.”

Johnny Jones's story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to finish what you started and achieve your dreams. 

Interested in more student stories? Watch them on YouTube

How to Get Started  

Ready to earn your high school diploma? Find out how Smart Schools can help you accomplish your goal and learn more about our free tutoring, academic advising, and flexible learning options. You can achieve your dreams and build a brighter future with the proper support.

Workforce & WEX

We have previously covered the benefits of Arizona’ Workforce program for students who live in the state, and the options for students who live out of state, as well. Read more about the options available to you and how to find them in our previous blog post. There are many options out there to help students find academic and career success—you just need to reach out and find them.

Smart Schools has multiple current and former students who have done just that. These students have enrolled with Workforce through one of our many community partners, received a case manager who has helped them develop a College & Career Blueprint, and gained access to Workforce Experience placement (WEX) that connected them to paid internships and job training.

As they have developed their experience and knowledge, they have not only become better job candidates, but they have moved forward in their schooling exponentially faster as well.

By pairing WEX’s job placement with Smart School’s CREW (a program that allows students to earn elective credit while working, volunteering, or completing other activities), they are earning credits toward their high school diplomas, earning money to support their families, and gaining valuable experience, all at the same time. Many of our students are able to use this experience to get their “foot in the door” at the companies where they complete their internship, or begin a career in a new field, as a result.

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Meet Evelyn

Evelyn was a Smart Schools student who was working hard to earn her high school diploma. As a young mom, Evelyn decided to start coming to The HUB every day so that she had a safe place to bring her kids while she studied. She attended one of the Workforce enrollment events at The HUB with Chicanos por la Causa (CPLC) where she was able to complete the entire enrollment process and was passed to a case manager the following week.

Quickly, she was able to begin receiving support services. She was able to get her Smart Schools tuition paid through the program. She started receiving monthly gas cards to help her travel back and forth to The HUB to work on her classes. After Evelyn was in a car accident, the Workforce program was able to help her with rent so she could focus her income on fixing her car.

Since graduating, Evelyn has enrolled in a Medical Assistant program that works with CPLC and provides scholarships to their participants. The total cost for the course will be $3500 and CPLC will cover $3000. Evelyn will only end up owing $500. Workforce is also assisting with childcare so she can attend her classes until she is able to cover the childcare expenses herself once she is working in the field.

By taking advantage of this program, Evelyn is not only changing the course of her life, but she is providing the foundation for her young children, as well. Workforce allows students who are in a tough spot, or who lack the resources and support they need to get enough breathing room to make decisions for their futures. Don’t let a temporary situation, or even temporary hopelessness, to define you. Seek out support and find success!

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Smart Schools helps adults 22 and over earn their high school diploma. The affordable program offers unprecedented flexibility, allowing you to pursue education from any location. Connect with us today at (844) 467-5278 to start your journey!

Caroline: A High School Success Story

Caroline Cook left school, but knew it was time to return when a friend told her of her success with online learning. She started earning her high school diploma online with Grad Solutions, a sister organization of Smart Schools, when she was 19 years old, and only had a few credits left. Little did she know that this one decision would change the trajectory of her life for years to come.

Once she started her educational journey, she was excited, yet nervous. But why? Because she knew this was a step in the right direction, a step closer to her success. But if she was being perfectly honest, she wanted to blow through her courses. What 19-year-old isn’t looking for a way to achieve their goals faster?

When it required some elbow grease, she procrastinated on her work and put things off. Due to her lack of discipline and motivation, it took her a lot longer to graduate, but nonetheless, she persisted.

Caroline graduated in March of 2021 and walked in graduation in July. She spoke at one of the ceremonies and sang the national anthem. Like most graduates who return to school after adolescence, Caroline has the drive and determination to make an impact. At Smart Schools and Grad Solutions, we recognize that.

“Remember, the only limitations are the ones you place on yourself.”

Right after the ceremony ended, Jim, our CEO, and ended up offering Caroline a job, knowing that she could have an even greater impact on other students like her. Caroline says:

I have noticed everyone working for this company all share one thing—they all want to see you succeed.

Success as an online student is not far off! We are not here for stats or to look good. We are here because we want to give you the opportunity to succeed. Everyone is capable of success in any aspect of their life. We are just providing you with the tools to reach it.

If you’re taking your first steps into earning your high school diploma online, I know it seems like a lot, and it’s overwhelming, especially at first. I can promise you it is worth every minute of hard work.

Earning your high school diploma online is possible, regardless of your age. Remember, the only limitations are the ones you place on yourself. If it’s time for you to enroll in high school, Smart Schools is here to help.