Parents Confused After Daughter Completes High School Early But Wasn't Allowed to Walk in Graduation Rites

The parents of Miya Fillmore were baffled as to why their daughter was not permitted to walk at graduation when she completed high school earlier.

Connie Fillmore, Miya's mother, told On Your Side that her daughter, who attended Maumelle High School under the Pulaski County Special School District in Arkansas, actually finished 22 and 1/2 credits of the required 22 credits for her to graduate high school.

Miya was part of the school district's excel program, called the Driven School of Opportunity, and technically finished high school at the end of the 2021 school year.

By July 2021, Miya received her transcript of records because she was planning to apply to colleges for her senior year. She was already on track to graduate but was never advised by the school counselor.

During a visit to Pulaski Tech, one of the colleges Miya planned to apply for, she and her mom could not explain if she was actually an incoming senior high school student as she had finished her credits. The family could not get a clear answer just yet because school was out for that summer, and there were not many workers on the campus.

Miya Told to Pick-Up Her Diploma

By November 2021, the parents received a call from the school district informing them that Miya could pick up her school diploma. The school explained that the student could not walk at the graduation ceremony because her records and grades were turned in one day after the deadline.

Miya told NBC 15 News that she was looking forward to walking at the graduation ceremony at 16 years old. However, the school district took that opportunity away from her.

"That's something every high schooler looks forward to - prom, graduation, especially growing up," Miya said.

Miya's father, David Fillmore, believes that the counselor still owes them an explanation for why they were negligent in keeping track of Miya's progress or submitting her records on time. David said that their daughter worked hard and was a "good student all her life." He said that what happened to Miya was a travesty.

Worse, Miya was informed that she could join the school prom. This confused the parents even more because it was okay for her to participate in that event but not the graduation ceremony.

According to reports, the Arkansas Department of Education does not want to comment on the matter as they are legally advised not to get involved in the school district's decisions.

What is the Driven School of Opportunity program?

According to the Maumelle High School official site, the Driven School of Opportunity provides quality education for students to learn at their own flexible pace with teacher mentors and internship or project opportunities. The program works best for students with self-discipline who want to have more control over their learning courses.

Miya's father said that the program's point was to help students work ahead and graduate early. Connie also said that there were likely other students in the same situation as their daughter when she spoke with the counselors last August.