Success Stories
Since opening, Second Mile has helped 25,000 graduates (and counting) find success and achieve their high school diploma. Each individual's path is unique. Here are a few of their stories.  Liznellie "I honestly wish I was still in Kendall Greens. If I tell people I wish I was still in my high school, they think I'm crazy, because it's like noone wants to go back to high school, but I do... It was like my second home."  Cadence "I took the heaviest hit; sacrificing everything so others could be happy,” she says. That sacrifice included her education, as she dropped out of school in 8th grade. Years later, Cadence decided she was ready to get back on track and found her way to Aloma. “At Aloma, I had a clear goal of what I needed to achieve to get my life back. I felt like I had control.” The turnaround was dramatic: 35 courses, 18 credits, a 3.58 GPA and, importantly, a high school diploma – all in less than two years while working a job!  Hector “It started in elementary school," he recalls. "I wasn't the best student, but I tried. The classes were large and I couldn’t keep up. I started getting bullied. Nobody ever told me I had ADD or ADHD. I developed anxiety and depression. I was in a class I didn’t belong and I got left behind. I’ve been through a lot. It was tough…” Hector trails off before centering himself. "I'm here now -- and I'm grateful."  Ashley “I was at my lowest and when I came here, I just saw a whole new shot at life.” Ashley says as she reflects on what brought her to Commonwealth. At Commonwealth, Ashley not only found an environment that fostered her academic growth but also a path to pursue her passions. Taking a chance on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) course to become a certified CNA, Ashley rediscovered her calling to help others. "I've always wanted to do something to help others. I started taking the course and was like I actually find this interesting. I see moving on with this." |