Faith-Aligned Virtual Private High School Launches Nationwide With Full-Tuition ESA Scholarships

HAMMOND, INDIANA - Agape Leadership Academy (ALA), a college-preparatory virtual private high school for students in grades 9 through 12, is officially open for enrollment across seven states. Built to the rigorous standards of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation and actively pursuing that designation, ALA delivers a premium, faith-aligned, fully asynchronous online education. For most families, the state covers the full tuition through Education Savings Account scholarship programs - leaving zero out-of-pocket cost for eligible students.

ALA's annual tuition is set at $7,500, and state ESA awards across the school's seven active enrollment states range from $6,500 to $8,500 per student annually - covering tuition in full in most cases. State scholarship programs such as Alabama's CHOOSE Act, Florida's FES-EO, Arizona's ESA+, and Utah's FITS All fund private school tuition directly, and ALA is an approved education service provider within those programs. Families apply to their state's ESA program, receive their award, and payments are processed through ClassWallet, a government-approved ESA payment platform trusted by states nationwide. There are no income restrictions in most states, no academic prerequisites, and no complicated processes - just a clear, accessible path to an exceptional private school education for every family who deserves it.

"Every child deserves access to an excellent education system, and now the state pays for it. Agape Leadership Academy exists to make that promise a reality," said Shakira Releford, Co-Founder. "The ESA scholarship model is the great equalizer in American education. A family in rural Alabama or urban Phoenix can access the same college-prep curriculum and CTE options that private school families in wealthy zip codes have always had - plus, the state funds it. We built ALA specifically to serve those families."

ALA's academic program is delivered through a state-aligned, AP-level curriculum platform used by accredited schools nationwide, paired with an adaptive literacy program carrying an ESSA Strong Evidence rating that has demonstrated measurable reading growth for students at every grade level. Students benefit from AI-powered personalized tutoring through ThriveMind, an intelligent tutoring system developed by ALA's own founding leadership , featuring Mia, an adaptive AI academic coach who meets each student at their current level and moves them forward at their own pace. For students pursuing advanced standing, ALA offers dual credit pathways allowing high schoolers to earn verified college credits before graduation at no additional cost. The school also offers eight supplemental courses, including Introduction to World Religions, Ethics, and Servant Leadership, grounding academic excellence in character development and faith.

ALA is actively pursuing WASC accreditation and has built every element of the school's academic program, governance structure, and student support infrastructure to meet and exceed those standards from day one. "We did not cut corners when we built this school," said Releford. "Every course, every platform, every policy was designed to meet the highest national standards. Our families deserve a school that will be fully recognized by colleges, by employers, by the military - and equipped to help students successfully thrive in their adolescence and young adulthood. ALA is building exactly that."

Agape Leadership Academy operates from a Christian foundation that shapes the school's culture, community tone, and elective offerings without binding students to any single denomination. ALA is designed for families who want their child's education to reflect the values they are raising them with: integrity, servant leadership, and a sense of purpose larger than themselves. The school's motto - virtus, sapientia, caritas, meaning virtue, wisdom, and love - speaks to the formation of the whole student, not just academic achievement.

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year is open now, and founding family spots are intentionally limited to ensure every student receives the personalized attention they deserve. Families who enroll as founding members will lock in founding-year tuition rates and become part of an inaugural community shaping the school's culture from the ground up. To check ESA eligibility by state, begin the enrollment process, or register for a live family information session, visit https://agapeleadershipacademy.org/ or contact the admissions team directly.

Agape Leadership Academy
6340 Kennedy Ave
Suite 22
Hammond, IN 46323

Press Contact: Shakira Releford, info@agapeleadershipacademy.org

Agape Leadership Academy is a college-preparatory virtual private high school serving grades 9-12 across Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Indiana. Founded by Shakira Releford and LaMario Richards, ALA delivers faith-aligned education through a fully asynchronous online model, built to WASC accreditation standards and actively pursuing that designation. For most families, tuition is fully covered through state Education Savings Account scholarship programs. Learn more at agapeleadershipacademy.org.

This release was published on openPR.