A little more than two dozen eighth-grade students graduated Friday from the San Miguel Academy, a school dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty.

The academy was founded in 2006 as a middle school and has since grown into a multifaceted program which makes a 12-year commitment to each student and their families.

According to data from the academy, 100% of San Miguel middle school students enter the ninth grade on time.

Students are engaged year-round in a safe and positive learning environment.

Educational leaders say the program fills a major need in the community that gets young people who qualify as low-income to high school graduation and other education options.

The graduates told News 12 they will miss the friends they made but are thankful for how the school transformed their lives.

"This is such an amazing school and it's impacted my life so much," said graduate Jency Pineda.

"I use to be lazy and not do my homework, but time passed and I decided to do all my work because this school pushed me to be a better student," said valedictorian David Jimenez.

The graduates are off to private schools across the country to continue their educations.