09/17/2025

Innovative Career Academy: A Credit Recovery High School with Impressive Results in Cleveland

For parents in Cleveland, Ohio, seeking a high school that provides a second chance for their child to succeed, the Ohio State Report Card is a vital tool. Innovative Career Academy is a credit recovery high school, meaning we specialize in helping students who may have fallen behind on credits to get back on track for graduation. We are proud to share our latest results, which highlight our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Our 2024 Report Card Highlights

Our students and staff have worked diligently to achieve these results. Here is a summary of our ratings:

  • Overall Rating: Meets Standards
  • Achievement: Meets Standards
  • Gap Closing: Exceeds Standards
  • Progress: Meets Standards
  • Graduation Rate: Meets Standards

Why Our Results Matter for Your Child

These ratings aren’t just numbers on a page; they offer a clear picture of the benefits your child will receive at Innovative Career Academy.

A Proven Path to Graduation: Our report card shows we are meeting state standards in achievement, progress, and graduation rate. This means we have a successful track record of helping students earn the credits they need and walk across the stage with their diploma. For a student who has faced academic setbacks, this is a powerful indicator that they can get back on track and achieve their goals with our support.

An Inclusive and Equitable Environment: Our rating of Exceeds Standards in Gap Closing is a testament to our dedication to every student. This measure evaluates how well a school is helping to reduce educational gaps between different student groups. This high rating confirms that we are effectively serving all learners, ensuring that every child is given the support and resources they need to reach their full potential.

Personalized Learning: As a credit recovery high school, we understand that every student learns at a different pace. We provide individualized instruction and a supportive learning environment, allowing students to focus on specific areas they need to improve. Our curriculum is designed to help students master missed content and build the confidence they need to move forward.

At Innovative Career Academy, our mission is to provide every student an opportunity to obtain an excellent education built on a foundation of character education for life-long success. These results demonstrate our commitment to that mission.


Learn more and discover if Innovative Career Academy is the right fit for you.

07/09/2025

Innovative Career Academy Honored for Outstanding Teacher Retention

Innovative Career Academy won an Accely Award for Outstanding Teacher Retention at this year’s ALIVE25 Summit, the annual gathering of ACCEL Schools leaders from across the country. This award celebrates the school’s committed team of educators who support student success year after year.

“I’m inspired by the educators at Innovative Career Academy for their dedication to our students,” said Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools. “They make a real difference in children’s lives, and we’re proud to recognize their success.”

Held annually, the Accelys celebrate the standout achievements of educators across ACCEL Schools’ network of 85+ public charter schools, which serve students from PreK through 12th grade. Awards honor excellence in areas like student attendance, teacher commitment, enrollment growth, financial stewardship, and academic progress.


Ready to join our award-winning school?

05/12/2025
01/14/2025

Celebrating Our Board: Pillars of Our Charter School Community

January is School Board Appreciation Month

As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, we want to take a moment to recognize the invaluable contributions of our dedicated Board of Directors. Their unwavering commitment to our charter school community has been instrumental in shaping our school into a thriving hub of learning and growth.

Why Charter Schools Matter

Our charter school offers a unique educational experience that is:

  • Tuition-Free: Accessible to all families in our community, regardless of their financial situation.
  • Safe and Secure: Providing a nurturing and supportive environment where students can learn and thrive.
  • Community-Focused: Partnering with parents, teachers, and the broader community to create a strong educational foundation for our students.

The Role of Our Board

Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our school. They:

  • Set the Vision: Establish a clear and inspiring vision for our school’s future.
  • Make Informed Decisions: Carefully consider all options and make sound decisions that benefit our students.
  • Provide Oversight: Monitor the school’s operations and financial health.
  • Advocate for Our Students: Represent our school’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels.
  • Recruit and Support Quality Staff: Help attract and retain talented educators who are passionate about our mission.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Board members for their tireless efforts. Their dedication and expertise have made a significant impact on the lives of our students.

Let’s take a moment to thank our Board members for their invaluable contributions. Their commitment to our school’s mission is truly inspiring.


Experience the Pillars of Educational Success! Begin your application today:

06/10/2024

Congratulations to Innovative Career Academy’s First Graduating Class

Innovative Career Academy held its first graduation ceremony on May 16, 2024, at 6:00 pm at Broadway Academy at Willow. A crowd of over 60 people was there to support the three graduates of the Class of 2024. The mothers of each graduate offered encouraging and congratulatory words about their senior and presented the diploma to their child themselves. It was a touching moment and a highlight of the event.

“It is truly a joy to graduate such resilient students!” said Principal Tina Smith. “Our graduates may not have had a traditional high school experience of four years in one school. Some students have attended a few schools, and some are over the typical age, but regardless of their circumstances, their high school diplomas resulted from their hard work and perseverance. I am proud of each of our graduates, and I look forward to their future success.”

Most graduates will be going directly to careers after graduation. One student has a head start toward her cosmetology credentials having earned 6 points in industry credential for Rise Up and two boutique’s licenses through Braiding and Shampooing.

05/06/2024

Thank You, Teachers!

It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re taking a moment to amplify our incredible instructional staff!

Teachers join our school with a desire to make a difference in the lives of children in our community. With hearts of gold, teachers create nurturing classroom environments, develop inspiring lesson plans, adapt instruction to meet individual needs, capitalize on real life teaching moments, support the social-emotional development of students & so much more.

Every school year, our teachers push themselves to the limit to reach each student in their care & to make a difference in each life. We are PROUD, APPRECIATIVE, and ADMIRING of our teachers for their meaningful work this school year. Please join us in thanking a teacher this week!

01/24/2024
12/18/2023

It’s Time for Re-Enrollment 2024

As we start looking forward to the 24/25 school year, please review the re-enrollment process infographic.

Your early decision and response helps us plan effectively for the upcoming year. Thank you for being a part of our school family! 

HERE’S HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:

STEP 1 »STEP 2 »STEP 3 »STEP 4 »STEP 5 »
JanuaryMarch July AugustAugust
Respond to our text message with your Intent to Return Complete the Re-Enrollment Form & Provide updated Proof of ResidencyConnect with us by phone to confirm your re-enrollment & Free School-Branded Shirt Size Check the mail for our Back to School Welcome Kit & Event InformationBegin the 2024-25 School Year & receive your student’s School-Branded Shirt
09/28/2023
08/11/2023

Schedule Changes for the 2023-24 School Year

Session 1: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Our morning session is designed for new students and students in Grades 9 & 10. Offering a more formal learning environment, Session 1 is ideal for students who perform best in a structured schedule. 

Session 2: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The afternoon session is designed for credit recovery students and features a more relaxed forum. Students will choose their space for learning and will work independently, with help from teachers as needed.