Catapult Learning announced the graduation of 67 students from the Muscogee County School District-approved Catapult Academy program in Columbus, Georgia. The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2016 was held at Carver High School on Wednesday, May 18. More than 600 friends, family, and community members attended the ceremony, which featured keynote speaker Joe Burns, Jr., a former NFL player and member of the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame.

Owned and operated by Catapult Learning, Inc., Catapult Academy serves students ages 16−21 who have struggled to complete their high school education and need an alternative solution to graduate. The program provides a combination of small-group, teacher-led instruction, virtual learning, flexible scheduling, college admission guidance, and career coaching. Educators and district leaders at the Catapult Academy of Muscogee County School District work closely to market and enroll students. In addition, the MCSD provides space at the Edgewood Learning Center in Columbus for the program.

“There are no words that can express the sheer excitement, overwhelming commitment and gratitude shown by Catapult Academy graduates who have been afforded a second chance to finish what they started,” said Valerie Fuller, Director of Communications and Open Records Officer of Muscogee County School District. “Despite any previous barriers, they are proud high school graduates who committed to complete the credits to earn a high school diploma. With confidence, I am sure each graduate will continue to be productive citizens in the community, workforce and world as they progress and earn higher degrees and conquer their career dreams.”

Jimmy King, Jr., Program Supervisor of Muscogee County’s Catapult Academy program, reflected on the success of the program and his aspirations for the Class of 2016.

"The aim of education should be to teach us how to think rather [than] what to think, to improve our minds so as to enable us to think for ourselves, rather than to load the memory with thoughts of other men," said Mr. King. “I am extremely proud of my students and their accomplishments. Catapult Academy Class of 2016, may your graduation be just the beginning of a lifetime of fulfillment for you.”

Over the past two years, Catapult Academy has graduated 450 students; this year, the program is expected to award diplomas to 250 students in programs throughout Georgia and Florida. As the program continues to expand, the company anticipates that the number of graduates—and the partner districts’ graduation rates—will also continue to rise.