Our Impact
Our Mission
At FIA, we make education accessible to students around the world regardless of their circumstances.
At FIA, Our Impact Is Measured Through:
Making American 6-12 education accessible through our global partner schools.
Creating direct pathways to our Wisconsin partner universities with significant scholarships.
Serving students in conflict regions and empowering them through education.
Success starts here for every student, at any grade level.
Key Partnerships
Girls College
Founded in October 2022, Girls College is a pioneering educational institution in Afghanistan committed to empowering young women through access to quality education and international opportunities. With three campuses across the country, two in Kabul and one in Ghazni, Girls College provides a diverse range of programs including English language training, STEM courses, mentorship, and scholarship preparation. As an official partner of Forward International Academy (FIA) in Afghanistan, graduates of Girls College earn a high school diploma from FIA, opening doors to global universities.
Key Statistic: 51% secured scholarship abroad, 21 in US, 26 in Canada, 4 in Europe → scholarships have totaled over one million dollars
Flying Wings Online School
In response to the 2021 ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan, a group of Afghan educators founded Flying Wings School—a digital learning platform dedicated to ensuring Afghan girls can continue their education safely and accessibly. What began in 2022 as the Afghan Girls Access to Education (AGATE) initiative with 400 students has now grown to serve over 650 learners. Flying Wings empowers Afghan girls to reclaim their right to learn and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Key Statistic: 650 learners
Firdowsi High School
Firdowsi High School, located in Quetta, Pakistan, is a pioneering educational institution committed to providing quality education for students in Afghanistan and Pakistan. With a student body of over 1,000 learners, the school has more than three decades of experience in advancing inclusive education and academic excellence.
Firdowsi High School offers both British and American high school programs, ensuring access to globally recognized qualifications that prepare students for higher education and international opportunities. As an awarded and approved center by Pearson Edexcel, through its IGCSE and A Level programs, the school enables students to pursue the International Education pathway, while the American High School Diploma Program, offered in collaboration with the Forward International Academy (FIA), provides a flexible and accredited option for students seeking an American curriculum.
By integrating modern learning approaches, including online and in person models, with strong mentorship and leadership development, Firdowsi High School empowers youth to continue their education beyond borders. The school remains deeply committed to nurturing a generation of learners equipped with global competence, resilience, and a vision for rebuilding their communities and contributing meaningfully to the world.
Key Statistic: 1,000 learnersFundraising
Supporting girls in Afghanistan to earn their American High School Diploma through FIA.
We’re proud to share the story of one of our graduates, Mahboba. She completed FIA’s high school program this summer from Afghanistan. Her success is a powerful testament to the pathways we are creating, allowing students to earn an American high school diploma from their home country and continue their higher education at universities around the world.
We would be grateful for your support in helping us make education accessible to Afghan girls. With just $100, you can provide one girl with a full year of education through Forward International Academy.
Thank you for believing in the power of education!
Donate NowImpact Stories
Mahboba
In 2021, when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, I was in grade eight at school. I could not even finish grade eight because I was passing mid-term exams when the Taliban took political power. I did not have the experience of living under the control of the Taliban because when I was born, they were not in power. I was familiar with them from books that I read, and I heard from other people about their restrictive rules. They started with restrictions on girls’ education and banned the schools for girls beyond grade six, and soon they marginalized all girls and women from society.
Though it was heartbreaking for every girl and woman in Afghanistan, I chose a different path to continue my education. It was not the end of the way for me because I started to search for alternative ways. I decided to join secret courses where I completed some subjects of grade 12 according to Afghanistan’s curriculum, but they could not provide documents showing that I completed studying those subjects. Besides these courses, I joined many online courses as well. All my online and in secret courses were so helpful, but not sufficient to make me eligible to apply for a bachelor’s degree. I had to study at an online school so that I could get admission to a university.
Then I heard about Forward International Academy. I scheduled a meeting with Dr. David Vitale (Principal of Forward International Academy). I talked with them about my experiences of learning online and in secret, and fortunately, I had a large bunch of certificates that I sent to them. After one week, I heard the greatest news in my life: I was accepted to FIA for 12th grade. This news was like a spark in my world of uncertainty. Without completing high school, I was not able to pursue my education at university. Therefore, FIA had a significant impact on shaping my academic path. It completely shifted the direction of my life.
I learned so much from FIA; it helped me to fully prepare for college. I had to allocate a lot of time to my FIA lessons because the curriculum was challenging and rigorous. After studying at FIA, the doors of many new opportunities opened for me. I could apply to universities in different parts of the world, including the United States, which was my dream country for continuing my education. FIA’s Student Success Manager, Ellie Sprinkmann, helped me apply to UW-Green Bay. I succeeded in getting admission to Green Bay.
I am fully prepared to start my new academic journey at Green Bay and study Political Science. Studying Political Science was one of my goals since my early years, and FIA helped me to reach one of my long-term goals.
I am grateful to all staff and the FIA Team for their support, especially their support of girls from Afghanistan. They provide scholarships for Afghan girls, and in this way, they greatly impact our lives and future. With FIA’s support, a bright future is waiting for me.
Sohaila
My experience at Forward International Academy has been truly transformative. When I first joined, I was nervous about the self-paced model and managing everything on my own. But very quickly, I discovered how incredibly kind and supportive the professors are. They guide us through every step, offer thoughtful feedback, and genuinely care about our progress. The learning platform itself is also engaging and well-structured-with interactive videos, interesting facts, and a flexible format that makes studying both enjoyable and effective. Even though the courses are asynchronous, there are many opportunities to connect with professors, ask questions, and receive support. I’m especially grateful for the encouragement and understanding I’ve received from Professor Dave, whose support made a big difference in my learning journey. After more than a semester here, I can say that FIA has been a light in my life-a place where I’ve grown not only academically but personally as well.
Khatera
When I had lost hope in my academic journey, Forward International Academy became a light in the darkness for me.
[FIA] you gave us the chance to believe in ourselves again and the hope to continue. My experience at your Academy, especially with its student-centered system, was truly amazing. I deeply believe the world would be a better place if more women and girls could have the same opportunity for education.
Thank you, Forward International Academy, for everything you have done for us.
Nooria
I am Nooria Masumi, and I am a student at Forward International Academy. Studying at FIA has been a significant experience in my life. The instructors are not only knowledgeable but also very kind and passionate. I love the way they give me feedback and encourage me to push my limits and never give up on my dreams. FIA has helped me enhance essential skills that will be valuable for my future. I am completely ready for the next stops of my academic journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow here.