Meet the Class of 2025: Jaylah Schuler’s Comeback Story

A mix of wrong choices in friends, a huge workload, and not enough academic support, left Jaylah Schuler feeling unmotivated after her freshman year of high school.

The following summer, Jaylah struggled with mental health. Jaylah lost her spark for learning, and thought she would never make it out of high school or achieve her dreams. In the first month of her sophomore year, she decided to drop out of high school.

A few months later, Jaylah’s best friend told her about CBK Charter School, an independent study program, operated by the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). The next day Jaylah was enrolled at CBK and met her new teacher, Dr. Develyn Biagas—a Specialized Academic Instructor for CBK in Lake Elsinore.

Jaylah went from earning D’s and F’s to A’s and B’s within a few weeks at CBK. She was able to choose her own workload, be independent, and still get that one-on-one support she needed from Dr. Biagas.

“Sixteen-year-old Jaylah did not think she was going to make it this far,” Jaylah recalled before she graduated as part of the CBK Charter School class of 2025 at Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, along with students in the alternative and special education programs of RCOE.

“Ms. B is so hands-on but also allows me to be independent. I can lean on her when I need it but also do my own thing,” said Jaylah. “As for the class load, I don't have seven classes with a bunch of homework, I have three classes that I can work at my own pace. It helps me not feel as mentally taxed.”

Not only has Jaylah taken advantage of the academic support, but she also utilizes additional resources provided by CBK.

CBK provides students with online tutoring, field trips, a leadership class, intervention classes, prom, and more. She also benefited from a partnership with a community organization (Planet Youth) where she obtained her first job with the help of a career navigator.  

With the help of CBK, Jaylah applied for scholarships, got a job, served the community through her leadership class, and took a dual enrollment college course through the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

From a student’s perspective, Jaylah described the process of enrolling in a college class to be “super easy” and that all she had to do was “show up” thanks to the support and encouragement from the CBK team.

“Dual enrollment is an excellent opportunity for the students to get their feet wet in a college class with built-in support while in high school. Our school provides registration assistance to help students navigate the enrollment process with ease, leaving students to focus on college-level rigor and academic success,” Dr. Biagas shared.

From starting at CBK unmotivated to learn, to completing college-level courses while in high school, Jaylah has finally re-ignited her passion for education.

“Now, I want to learn everything all the time. CBK has really sparked my love for learning again. I have become crazy about it,” expressed Jaylah. "I did not think I would ever feel that again.”

This fall, Jaylah is excited to attend Mt. San Jacinto College to study nursing before transferring to a university.

“I am ready to meet new people, learn new things, experience new things, but most importantly become a new version of myself.”

This “new version” of herself will include becoming a postpartum nurse. After taking her dual enrollment class at UCR, Jaylah has found a passion for being an advocate. Her mission is to advocate for women who do not feel seen or heard.

“I want to make other women feel comfortable while going through such a traumatic, yet beautiful experience of starting or growing her family. Just being someone's voice when they feel like they are not being heard is what I am going to do.”

Jaylah’s passion and determination earned her the opportunity to give her graduation speech in front of her peers.

During her speech, she encouraged her fellow graduates to remember that their self-worth is not determined by the way others treat you, and that it’s okay to take up “space” and show up authentically.

“Whether it's in the workplace, the classroom, or at home, remember to be bold and vocal about your passions,” Jaylah said to the crowd at graduation. “Stand up for what you believe in and insert yourself when necessary.”

During her time at CBK, not only found her love for learning but has also found a new appreciation for life.

“I love so many things about my life that it outweighs the things that annoy me or set me back,” said Jaylah while reflecting on the last three years. "There is no such thing as a life that is better than mine, I am truly living my best life now.”