Balancing Motherhood and School: Armani’s Education Journey 

Read time: 8 minutes

Armani’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of finding the right support at the right time. Faced with the challenges of teen parenthood, she made the difficult decision to leave high school—but never gave up on her dream of earning a diploma. Her story is a powerful reminder that with the right resources, young parents can thrive both in school and in life.

When Armani was 16, life took an unexpected turn—she found out she was going to be a mom. Like many young parents, she quickly realized that balancing the demands of school and caring for a baby wasn’t going to be easy. Most traditional schools didn’t offer childcare, and the thought of leaving her son with someone else wasn’t an option she was ready for. So, reluctantly, Armani dropped out of high school. 

But giving up on her education was never part of her plan. She just needed the right situation—one that could work for her as a parent. That’s when a family connection changed everything. 

“My older brother was already doing Grad Solutions,” Armani says. “He told me it was online and really flexible. He actually found it through his best friend, and then he ‘put me on’—and I’ve been coming here with my son ever since.” 

From the moment she toured the Grad Solutions center, Armani knew she had found something different. Not only was the program free and entirely online, but the on-site daycare meant she could bring her little one with her when she needed to study. “They showed me the whole [HUB] when I signed up, and I thought, ‘Okay, this could actually work.’” 

She started attending regularly, often coming in on Wednesdays for extra focus time. “In November, when I was coming here all the time, I remember thinking, ‘Yeah, this is good.’ Even when I’m struggling, there’s always a tutor—Miss Rachel is amazing. She’ll literally come grab me to help me focus.” 

But Grad Solutions has been more than just academics for Armani—it’s been a support system. Parenting classes, resources like diapers, and a caring staff have all made a difference. “The school is super supportive. They really care about helping us in every way. Like, last week, I came back for the first time in a month because I’d been working, and the parenting instructor handed me a big pack of diapers. That’s huge because those are expensive.” 

Through it all, Armani has stayed focused on her goal: graduation. After earning her diploma, she plans to take a short break from school before heading to college to study to become a pediatrician—a dream inspired by her many experiences visiting doctors with her son. “Pediatricians are amazing,” she says. “They make parents feel okay when their baby’s sick. I want to do that for other families someday.” 

When asked what makes Grad Solutions special, Armani doesn’t hesitate: “It’s a super great school. They make sure you succeed—not just in school, but in life.” 

For Armani, the journey back to high school wasn’t just about finishing classes. It was about finding a place that understood her, supported her, and gave her the tools to balance her roles as both a student and a parent. And now, with her diploma in sight, she’s proof that with the proper support, anything is possible.