While many researchers have addressed the topic of academic resilience, studies on the individual protective factors in high-risk middle school students from urban settings are limited. In this qualitative interpretive study, we interviewed and obtained academic records from 20 eligible students in grades 7-8 to delve into the perceptions and experiences of factors contributing to their success despite adversity. Document analyses of attendance and course grades from the last two years were triangulated with interviews. These students articulated four themes that helped: positive self-esteem, self-determination, perseverance, and optimism. Based upon these results, implications (e.g., helping educational leaders understand the factors) and future avenues of research (e.g., conducted studies comparing those with and without these identified individual factors) are offered.