The Westerville City Schools Educational Options for Success (EOS) program recognized its third “Graduate of the Year” (for school year 2013-2014) on Wednesday, September 3. Erick Jimenez, a 2014 graduate of Westerville North High School, completed his graduation requirements through the EOS program, which is located at the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC). The Graduate of the Year is selected by the teachers and staff at the AEC each school year. Attributes considered for this award are perseverance, scholarship, leadership, service, character, responsibility, respect, attitude, loyalty, and integrity. Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, Director of Alternative Education Services and Assessment, stated, “Erick came to EOS seeking and needing an alternative to the traditional high school experience. He quickly discovered his true potential as a student, and thus achieved, quite successfully, one of his primary goals, which was to receive a high school diploma.”
For 14 years, EOS has continued to provide a quality educational alternative for students and their parents. The award-winning program serves a wide-variety of students, and has leveled the playing field to enable the district to actually gain a competitive advantage over its charter school counterparts. EOS has not only helped hundreds of at-risk pupils to complete their high school education, but it has recouped state funding which is lost when students drop out or leave the district to pursue other educational avenues. Nearly 140 students graduate from EOS each year, representing approximately 10% of the district's annual graduate rate.