Credit Recovery: How to Get Back on Track Without Starting Over

Rachel Pollock • January 7, 2026

The Best Thing About Credit Recovery at Brightmont Academy Is That It doesn’t Take Months to Finish a Course

Credit recovery starts with contacting Brightmont Academy. Our team will get your consent to contact previous and current schools to determine which classes are needed in our curriculum. Our Registrar works diligently and quickly to get the process started. From there, classes are scheduled and students work one-to-one with expert instructors to recover credits.


Without support and guidance from experienced professionals credit recovery can seem like a daunting task for families. In particular, students may feel like the work ahead of them is piling on, and that can be overwhelming. One struggle students may face in credit recovery in a traditional setting is that they missed concepts and are missing some of the foundational skills to move forward. Tasks can seem large and need to be broken down into smaller tasks but this can be difficult in a large classroom setting. In contrast to a large classroom, students can feel at ease working one-to-one within their schedule; and at their pace in a structured, well organized and focused environment.


Whether it is midyear and the fall semester needs to be recovered, or the end of the school year and a semester or school year needs to be recovered, a flexible plan and expert instructors have shown time and again how to get the credits recovered, without starting over. The impact of a flexible schedule and one-to-one classes are that students CAN and DO recover credits! The credit recovery process can start immediately and credits can be recovered rather quickly.


High School Students Can Recover Multiple Courses Over the Summer at Brightmont and then Be Back on Track When Returning to School in the Fall

Summer time is great to make up a semester and get back on track. Furthermore, students that complete a semester’s worth of work over summer break have found that accelerated pace works for them. Along with summer courses, some of our students have completed eleventh and twelfth grade in one school year!! They graduated and went to college with their peers, as they had hoped. Summer time is a great time to get a jump on credit recovery with instructors available year round.


Director of Brightmont Birmingham Campus, Annette Looser, shared  "One of the things I love about Brightmont Academy is that we are able to help high school students from various school districts recover credit from classes that they have failed during their traditional school year. Students can come to Brightmont either after school during the school year, or during the summer months working one-to-one with a teacher to recover credit. The best thing that usually comes out of credit recovery courses at Brightmont is that not only do students stay on track to graduate, but they usually find a greater confidence with the subject material that they have developed working one-to-one with a Brightmont teacher. Then, when they return to their traditional classroom, they can take the skills they learned at Brightmont and apply them to have a better year ahead."


The E.C.H.O. Program at Brightmont Academy

The E.C.H.O Program at Brightmont Academy supports credit recovery while giving students new time and task management strategies for their success. The extra support of The E.C.H.O. Program at Brightmont Academy brings accountability to students' success. Students check in with their instructor each of their 20 sessions. While students learn new executive function skills they are also checking in with their school and personal calendars, checking assignments and teacher communication, planning time for organization, extracurricular activities, and studies. This program is custom designed for 3-12 grade students. Each session works on skills and ensures follow through on previous skills and planning. Students' success is measured in pre and post surveys, as well as follow through on turning in assignments and being where they are scheduled on time. 

 

Students often find that their success in completed courses and programs gives them the momentum needed to finish high school and to keep going! Higher education can still be on the table; situations do turn around. Often, it is the extra support in place that makes all the difference while students build confidence and get back on track.


Brightmont Academy

Flexible scheduling at Brightmont Academy supports credit recovery without starting over. Students can make up credits in the summer, work with their school throughout the year, or complete credits completely at Brightmont Academy. Dual enrollment works well for many families to keep their students on track and completing needed courses to graduate.


Still have questions? Brightmont Academy is here for you. Reach out to schedule a tour, get in contact with the administrative team, and get in touch with our Campus Director! We are supportive of unique situations and great at finding solutions.



Rachel Pollock is an English and Social Studies Instructor at Brightmont Academy, freelance writer, and Chapter Advisor for Future Business Leaders of America. She holds a master’s degree in Psychology from American Military University and graduated with honors for research in social-emotional learning (SEL) in K–12 schools. With over six years classroom experience working with gifted and twice-exceptional (2E) students, Rachel brings professional insight and personal insight as a parent of gifted teens. She has elevated student voice through recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards reflecting her commitment to creativity, academic rigor, and authentic expression. She is dedicated to supporting learners, families, and educators in a rapidly changing world. 


Disclaimer: I am not a licensed clinical therapist and do not provide mental health counseling or therapy services. The information shared here is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as psychological diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. For personal mental health support, please consult a licensed mental health professional in your area.

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