Both the state and federal governments fund programs to assist students who perform poorly in school or who are at risk of dropping out of school. Both programs allot funds to school districts based on their numbers of economically disadvantaged students. Buccaneer Academy students usually are at the highest risk of dropping out of school since most of them are parents, self-supporting, or come from low income backgrounds. The curriculum centers around projects with several of the essential elements and academic standards incorporated into each project.
Students earn credits at their own pace, which is usually accelerated.
The academy gives these students, many of whom are parents or self-supporting, an opportunity to earn a regular high school diploma rather than a GED in a flexible environment. This is important since many at-risk students will drop out if they believe it is impossible to earn enough credits to graduate. The ISP includes personal data, academic history, an individual academic plan, a course completion list, and project menus. Buccaneer Academy assists at-risk students to stay in school and obtain a high school diploma. However, when dropout rates for economically disadvantaged students and minority students are compared, the economically disadvantaged students' dropout rate is lower.