Caulin Savage (left) receives his high school diploma from 27J Online Academy Assistant Principal Kyle Farner (right). Caulin became Online Academy’s first graduate from the 2022-2023 class after overcoming challenges with homelessness.
Everyone has unique experiences, and unfortunately, some are harder to go through than others. Such was the case for recent 27J Online Academy 2022 graduate Caulin Savage.
Before enrolling in Online Academy, Caulin was experiencing homelessness. He was struggling to find a place to sleep at night, having to resort to park benches or whatever else he could find. That changed when his friend’s mother offered him a place to stay. Not only that, she encouraged him to finish high school.
“I never thought I’d be able to succeed in the ways that I have since enrolling at the Online Academy… The staff deserve all the credit for helping me graduate and setting me up for success.,” said Caulin.
Caulin had dropped out of school his senior year due to the tough circumstances he had been facing. Since Caulin was trying to get back on his feet, his friend’s mother encouraged him to enroll in the 27J Online Academy.
The 27J Online Academy has the flexibility to serve students 24 hours a day on schedules that work for them–something a traditional school cannot offer with its set schedules. This model sounded like the right fit for Caulin, and he started classes at the Online Academy in January of 2022.
“The 27J Online Academy turned my life around,” Caulin said. “The staff connected me with Almost Home, which helped me get my own apartment. Mss. Trujillo, Smith and Sims, and Mr. Farner made me feel supported and cared for. This was something I had never felt in any of the in-person schools I had attended before.”
Caulin recently became the first graduate of the 2022-2023 school year at 27J Online Academy.
“I never thought I’d be able to succeed in the ways that I have since enrolling at the Online Academy,” said Caulin. “When I got my diploma, the staff made me feel so special. The staff deserve all the credit for helping me graduate and setting me up for success.”
“My teachers always pushed me and believed in me. They knew what I was dealing with, and they celebrated every small victory along the way.”
During his time at Online Academy, school counselor Roc Ann Smith helped Caulin complete an internship with an electrical contractor. Upon graduating, Caulin was offered an apprenticeship with an electrical union in Boston. Although he has already graduated, the staff at Online Academy helped him prepare for this big move.
Caulin takes with him fond lessons learned from his Online Academy teachers.
“My teachers always pushed me and believed in me. They knew what I was dealing with, and they celebrated every small victory along the way. Even after completing fourteen hour shifts at work, their energy and care was felt.”
Caulin’s teachers have left a lifelong impact on him that he will never forget. He will carry those names with him because teachers are more than what they teach us. Teachers care about how well we do in life. Teachers matter.
“I’ve never felt satisfied with my life until now,” Caulin said. “I’m finally in a place where I can look forward to continuing to grow as a person and be better for myself.”
Congratulations on your graduation, Caulin Savage! We are proud to call you a 27J alum and are excited to see you start this new journey.