While much has been studied addressing the topic of academic resilience, few researchers have examined adolescent perceptions of the factors that contribute to school success. This qualitative interpretive study explored individual protective factors that can promote academic resilience in urban middle school students. One-on-one interviews (N=20) of students living in one urban setting were conducted. After analysis, the four individual protective factors of positive self-esteem, self-determination, perseverance, and optimism were identified. Implications are recommended, such as offering these adolescents the opportunity to voice their experiences to educational leaders, and further research avenues are suggested.