A new tuition-free charter high school is coming to Cincinnati, promising a flexible, year-round path to a diploma for students who have not found success in traditional classrooms. Cincinnati Acceleration Academy is set to open on Aug. 18, serving students ages 14 to 21. The school will start out holding classes at Xavier University before moving into the former Dohn Community High School building at 4030 Reading Road in North Avondale. Part of thvde national Acceleration Academies network, the Cincinnati campus plans to enroll roughly 250 graduation candidates over the next few years.
According to WCPO, the new school will welcome its first class on Aug. 18 and run on a year-round block schedule with two daily sessions, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., giving students about 10 hours of on-campus access each day. WCPO notes that students take one course at a time, with each course structured to be finished in two to four weeks.
How the hybrid model works
Per Acceleration Academies, the Cincinnati campus combines in-person academic coaching with an online curriculum that is available to students around the clock. The academy’s site explains that students must attend in person at least 12 hours per week while completing roughly 24 hours of online work. The program supplies laptops, Wi‑Fi hotspots and transportation support. The school is accredited by Cognia and highlights one-on-one coaching along with personalized learning plans.
Who it’s for and what it offers
WCPO reports that the academy is designed for students who have fallen behind, teen parents, young people balancing jobs, and those who struggle in conventional classroom settings. The learning space is set up to feel more like a café than a traditional school. WCPO also notes that the school is 100% tuition-free, funded through a mix of state dollars and per-pupil funding, that teachers are licensed and certified, and that staff members undergo FBI and BCI background checks.
Enrollment and where to go
Enrollment is open year-round, and families can apply or sign up for virtual information sessions through the academy’s website, which lists the temporary Xavier University location at Alter Hall, Room 104, 3800 Victory Parkway, along with the permanent address at 4030 Reading Road. Per Acceleration Academies, the Cincinnati campus will offer supports such as bus passes, career and life coaching, and wraparound services aimed at tackling non-academic barriers. The site also provides a local email address and phone number for enrollment questions.
Hours and state rules
Ohio law sets minimum instructional time for schools. The Ohio Revised Code requires 1,100 hours per year for students in grades seven through twelve. That annual requirement works out to roughly 30 hours per week over a typical 36-week school calendar, which helps explain why hybrid programs are structured to blend on-campus coaching with online coursework in order to stay within state rules.
