This is the second of two editions this week, focusing on Ohio charter news stories and catching us up from our long vacation break. The first edition—with a more national focus—is here, in case you missed it yesterday.
Report card data
Findlay Digital Academy was touting its exemplary report card recently, noting that it earned an “exceeds standard” rating on every measure for 2022, the only dropout recovery school in the state to do so. Meanwhile, Horizon Science Academy of Youngstown received an overall 4-star rating, the highest of any school in the city, including 5 stars in both the progress and gap closing measures. “These results are a testament to our commitment to providing an exceptional education to our students and ensuring their academic success,” said Principal Ferhat Kapki, “Fostering a passion for learning, and preparing students for a bright and successful future.”
One school, four field trips
Leaders of Great River Connections Academy, a statewide K-12 online charter school, recently arranged field trips at four farms in different regions of Ohio so that many of their students could have a fall harvest experience at the same time. Clever! More than 400 students, faculty, and parents participated and the Warren County Post covered the fun and learning at Blooms and Berries Farm Market in Loveland.
On the grow
Speaking of kids getting their hands dirty, a group of students at Sciotoville Elementary Academy got to join in with the grown ups recently to break ground for their brand new school building. The days of SEA students having to go to a different building for lunch or bathroom breaks will soon be over. Congratulations!
The view from Toledo
Interim Director Robert Koenig was recently chosen to become the new permanent director of Toledo School for the Arts. Mr. Koenig is one of TSA’s founding board members and served as board president for eight years. He currently serves as board chair for the Issue Box Theatre and the Toledo Repertoire Theatre, and looks forward to further integrating the school and its students with the larger arts scene. Also working to connect charter school students with the larger world is the Maritime Academy of Toledo, which recently announced a new partnership with Lourdes University. Current Maritime students and graduates will have access to Lourdes courses and academic programs along with resources to help them explore their options for careers or further education. “Our kids can have a very immersive experience so they can learn about where they go to talk about financial aid and see where their classes are,” said Superintendent Aaron Lusk. “And then all of a sudden, they're not as nervous to undertake such a challenging situation.”
Part of the solution
Columbus, like many cities, has been experiencing a surge in gang-related violence recently, and it’s going to take sustained community effort to change the dynamics fueling it. There is a lot to commend in the work of the city’s Violence Prevention Office as covered by the Dispatch earlier this week and the whole piece is worth your time. But for our purposes here, it is gratifying to see a principal at Columbus Preparatory Academy participating in the effort to offer a lifeline of change to young people already enmeshed in the criminal justice system. “For those of us who have chosen to stay in the inner city or live in the inner city, having neighbors that have nothing to lose makes our neighborhoods very unsafe,” said Malik Moore, also a Greater Hilltop Area Commissioner. “Knowing that people have hope and people to count on creates a level of safety.” Kudos for all participating in this important work.
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