About ACCEL

ACCEL is Alabama’s first public charter school, currently serving grades 6-12. It is a tuition-free, public school providing a next generation (NexGen) learning space. This innovative, personalized learning environment meets students where they are and puts them on a path to achieve their dreams after high school. ACCEL’s staff is committed to help students gain the skills and mindset they need to build the future they aspire for themselves. Every student will graduate ready to succeed in college and to be employed in well-paying careers.

In 2016, the Mobile Area Education Foundation (MAEF) formed the subsidiary MAEF Public Charter Schools, Inc. (MAEF PCS) to (1) foster innovation in school designs in the Mobile area, (2) inspire students who are most in need and prepare them to graduate college are career ready, and (3) serve as a center of learning and innovation for educational best practices across the state and region. As a first step to realizing the goals of MAEF PCS, a charter school proposal was submitted to and awarded by the Alabama Public Charter School Commission to form Alabama’s first charter school in August 2016. The school is the Acceleration (ACCEL) Day and Evening Academy.

Since 1992, under the leadership of its founder Carolyn Akers, MAEF has supported public education by investing over $25 million in efforts to support public schools in the Mobile region. MAEF provides business operations, executive leadership, fund development, and communications support to MAEF PCS and ACCEL Day and Evening Academy.

What makes US unique?

Safe and Supportive School: Unlike many large public and private schools, ACCEL is a small, safe and supportive school. Students will have the benefit of small class sizes and individualized attention by teachers and school staff.

Learn at Your Own Pace and Graduate Quicker: Focused, hardworking students will be able to graduate much more quickly than in the traditional public or private school. Students will earn credit as soon as they have demonstrated they have mastered the coursework and are able to move on to new courses immediately. This flexibility allows students to catch up if they have fallen behind or graduate ahead of schedule.

Rigorous, Personalized Learning: Students will take challenging coursework to prepare them for college and careers. Students will take courses in a number of different forms, including small classes with expert teachers, computer-based lessons to deepen skills, project-based learning around real-world topics of interests, college dual enrollment, advanced placement, and apprenticeship courses to prepare them for college and careers. Students will have the opportunity to personalize their learning by pursuing topics of interests and by addressing any individual academic skill deficiencies.

Flexible School Schedule: ACCEL will operate a non-traditional school schedule of both day and night classes to meet the unique needs of our students. Students who are at least juniors will be able to take classes during the day or evening.

What is a Charter School?

Charter schools are public, tuition-free schools open to any student who wishes to attend. Charter schools allow parents, organizations or community groups to restore, reinvent and reenergize public school systems. Charter schools are designed, tailored and governed by each local community rather than by a central bureaucracy.