Celebrating #MICharterGrad Aaron Card

Building a Future with His Own Two Hands: Celebrating #MICharterGrad Aaron Card

For Aaron Card, graduation doesn’t just mark the end of high school. It’s the beginning of a career he’s been dreaming about since he was a kid. Thanks to his time at Gateway to Success Academy (G2S), a hands-on public charter school in Scottville, Aaron is stepping directly into the workforce with confidence, skills, and a clear sense of purpose.

Before enrolling at G2S, Aaron struggled in traditional classrooms. As a student with ADHD, being told to sit still, stay quiet, and memorize information felt not just frustrating—it felt impossible.

“I knew I wasn’t going to make it through school just sitting in a chair for hours,” Aaron said. “I was thankful for another option.”

Unlike many students who are enrolled in charter schools by their parents, Aaron made the decision to switch schools himself. He chose G2S because he wanted a different kind of education—one that made sense to him.

And he found it.

Gateway to Success Academy is a public school that reimagines what education can look like for students who thrive through movement, collaboration, and applied learning. Their model centers around Project-Based Learning and individualized support, helping students build real-world skills through real-world experiences.

For Aaron, that meant working on a car in class one day and troubleshooting a robotic motor the next. His days weren’t spent doing busywork. They were filled with tangible, meaningful projects that connected to real careers.

Aaron’s passion for cars began early, watching his grandfather tinker in the garage. At G2S, that interest was encouraged to grow. Through a school-supported partnership with Michigan Works, he began training in automotive repair and started working part-time at a local shop after his half day of academics. When he walks across the graduation stage, he won’t just be receiving a diploma. He’ll be heading straight into a career he’s excited about.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of my school,” Aaron said. “They helped me get a job through MI Works that allowed me to get hands-on experience in my career field.”

The support extended beyond job training. Aaron credits staff like Mrs. Larissa Johnston and Mr. John Chalko for helping guide him through school and through life.

“They were always there for me, pointing me in the right direction,” he said.

Aaron also found joy outside the classroom, competing with the robotics team and learning about the mechanical and electrical systems that make robots work. He appreciated the opportunity to end the year with classmates relaxing on the shores of Lake Michigan, celebrating all they had accomplished together.

Aaron’s story highlights the value of schools that prioritize hands-on learning and career readiness. For students like him—motivated, curious, and ready to build—these schools are helping pave the way to bright futures.

From building robots to building his future, Aaron Card is proof that when students are given the opportunity to learn in the way that works best for them, they don’t just graduate. They thrive.

Gateway to Success is authorized by West Shore ESD. Gateway to Success is a 6th-12th Public School Academy located just east of Ludington in Scottsville.