Jackson Speakman told the group he couldn’t say enough about what the EOS program did for him personally and for his future.
After 14 years and more than 1,000 graduates, the Westerville City Schools Educational Options for Success (EOS) program had the distinct opportunity to host and offer assistance to other Ohio districts interested in developing or improving an alternative educational program. On Friday, September 26, the Ohio Department of Education held a professional workshop at the Academic Enrichment Center for alternative education. Administrators, teachers, and counselors from around Ohio came together to learn more about the award-winning success of Westerville’s EOS program, its history, programmatic strengths, and day-to-day operations.
Highlights included district support from Dr. John Kellogg, Superintendent of Schools, and Board President Dr. Nancy Nestor-Baker, as well as retired program manager, Dr. Steve Coolahan, and Tami Santa, former EOS mental health specialist. Current EOS staff members articulated key components for the programs such as establishing structure and expectations, embedding quality instructional practices while using online curriculum coupled with direct teacher contact, ensuring the formation of relationships with at-risk students, and fostering a culture of collaboration and support among/between staff, parents, and students.
Both an EOS graduate and current student addressed the audience about their own personal experiences. Graduate Jackson Speakman said, “I can’t say enough about what this program did for me personally and for my future. I made some mistakes which put me behind on credits. EOS gave me another shot and really cared about me.”
Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, Director of Alternative Education and Assessment, summarized the event by stating, “The Academic Enrichment Center is a true gem in our community. By hosting a regional event for Ohio’s educators, we are able to put a brighter spotlight on the stellar teachers and support staff who work with our students each day, as well as the commitment of our district’s leaders who truly seek and support innovative ways to meet the unique, individual needs of those high school students that have become disenfranchised with the traditional high school experience.”
Westerville City School’s EOS program has been recognized as a model program for dropout prevention by the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N). The overall goals of the EOS program are to prevent highly at-risk students from dropping out of school, or to allow students who have already dropped out to return to school and graduate. With the combination of favorable statistics and the more recent recognition from the NDPC/N, EOS is a significant community asset for Westerville with the program having continued success in contributing nearly 10% to the overall district’s graduation rate each year.