What a Credit Recovery Sprint Looks Like

Briana entered her senior year at Iowa Virtual Academy (IAVA) expecting to graduate in the spring. Instead, she received the tough news that she was 24 credits short of a 46-credit requirement.  

“It kind of felt like a bus hit me,” she recalled.  

For many students, this realization might prompt them to give up or accept that they’ll graduate late. Briana seriously considered the latter but ultimately decided to lean into IAVA’s credit recovery program instead.  

Finding Focus 

Briana’s journey with virtual schooling began in 2018 when her mother moved her from a local school to IAVA, seeking stronger academic opportunities. Those opportunities materialized, particularly in the level of support and follow-up she received.  

She described staff as “stern, in a good way,” explaining that when they see a student falling behind, they step in and push them back on track with clear expectations tied to graduation. That support system also shaped her decision to stay virtual when she considered transferring to a traditional high school in Sioux City, Iowa.  

“I have a very short attention span, and can get sidetracked by anything,” Briana says. “Yes, going to public school is fun—friends, prom, all that stuff—but I knew myself, and I knew I was going to fall behind.” 

What Credit Recovery Looks Like 

Credit recovery takes immense dedication, largely because it expands a student’s workload rather than replacing it. Briana had three credit recovery classes added late last semester, and several more this spring, right on top of her regular coursework. 

Since Briana also works eight-hour shifts, balancing this heavy load took a total lifestyle change.  

“You’re going to have to clear your whole schedule,” she advises other students in her shoes. “From 2 to 10 I’m turning in assignments, doing credit recovery, emailing teachers…You can’t procrastinate. You have to really want this for yourself.” 

She wasn’t navigating this workload alone. At IAVA, teachers provide regular guidance and feedback, while counselors actively track progress to ensure students stay on pace. Briana credits her math and English teachers for patiently breaking down equations step-by-step, and reminding her to take a break when she felt overwhelmed.  

Eyes on the Future 

Today, Briana has surged past her initial 22 credits and is sitting right on the cusp of the 46 needed to graduate. Even while tackling several accelerated credit recovery courses, her grades in her regular classes have remained strong.   

With graduation back on the schedule for this spring, she is already looking ahead. Briana recently visited a few colleges and hopes to become a cosmologist. 

“I want to set myself up in life,” she says. “I want to be able to go out of town, or spoil my mom and siblings. I just want that for me and my family.” 

Thanks to her own grit and a program designed to give students a second chance with individualized support, that future is entirely within her reach. 

If you’re looking for an alternative path to graduation, contact us to learn more about how virtual education can meet your needs. 

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