2,500 Certifications. 15% More Graduates. Inside Our Coursera Playbook.
Coursera recently published a case study on the work happening at North Gardens High School, where students are earning industry-recognized credentials alongside their high school coursework — and graduating at higher rates because of it.
The story starts with a familiar challenge. Many of our students balance work, caregiving, and other responsibilities that traditional school schedules don’t accommodate. They needed flexibility, pacing that fit their lives, and coursework that connected directly to what comes after graduation.
Coursera offered a path. By integrating certifications from partners like IBM, Google, Wharton, and IE Business School into coursework aligned with Florida’s CTE standards, Second Mile students could recover credits, build job-ready skills, and earn credentials employers already recognize — all while progressing toward their diploma.
The results, in under four months:
- More than 2,500 globally recognized professional certificates earned
- A 15% increase in credit recovery and graduation rates among participating students
- Expansion from one pilot site to five schools
- One tenth-grader who completed all three flagship programs — AI, E-commerce, and Entrepreneurship — and is now on track to graduate two years early
“Coursera hasn’t merely provided certifications — it has delivered practical pathways toward meaningful careers, inspired innovation, and fostered collaborative educational environments benefiting both individual students and our wider community.” — Neil Jones, Regional CTE Coordinator
What stands out isn’t the technology. It’s what Second Mile students did with it — re-engaging, recovering credits, and walking out with credentials that open doors.
Read the full case study at Coursera: Second Mile Education drives 2,500+ certifications and boosts graduation by 15% with Coursera