ACES program helps teens be successful

GREENVILLE – The Achievement Center for Educational Success (ACES) may be a small program, but it is a mighty program when it comes to helping students earn their diploma. ACES is an alternative education program that was created as an off-site learning setting that enables youth to thrive and succeed in high school. The ACES program gives a different choice to many students that need a different educational option.

During the first semester of 2013-14 school year the program is reporting the following statistics and outcomes of the students.

* 37 students were enrolled in 9th through 12th grades from six school districts in Darke County

* 10 students received the required credits to graduate and will receive their diploma in May/June of 2014.

* 123.25 credits were earned by the students during the semester

* 79% of the Ohio Graduation Tests that were taken during the semester were passed by the non-IEP students

* 7 students were employed and 1 participated in unpaid work experience as well as attending school throughout the semester

Congratulations go to our “Honor Roll” students in the 2nd grading period. “A” – Dylan Hinch from Arcanum and Roxanne Brower from Tri-Village, “A-B” – Ashley Banis, Katherine Banis, Steve Tankersley and Amber Ross from Tri-Village, Dillon Stamper from Arcanum and Courtney Cozart, Joe Deal and Austin Diemer from Mississinawa Valley. We are proud of their achievements.

The program staff includes a certified intervention specialist, a trained teaching assistant, and the program coordinator. According to Jeff Vaughn, Program Coordinator, “The key to the program success is the buy-in of the local school districts and the staff. The staff does an excellent job motivating the students to be successful because of the relationships they build with the kids. It is amazing how ACES has evolved over the last 5 years and I feel very fortunate to be a part of what is going on here.” ACES also has a volunteer, Dawn Coy, who assists in the classroom on a weekly basis that has been a big help.

In addition ACES works in partnership with other agencies that add specialized classes for the students. Tracy Wheeler from the OSU Extension Office teaches a weekly food and nutrition course. In the class the students talk about the importance of healthy eating, portions and calories, and fresh vs. processed foods. The 17 students this year also had the opportunity to put their new knowledge to work by cooking and tasting new recipes. The fine arts class is continuing with Christina Cox. During this year 24 students have created and expressed their individuality, through hands-on art projects. Robb Fulker from the Gateway Youth Programs continues to meet individually with interested students on building social skills.

New the second semester is a “life skills” class, which teaches health and personal development, along with how to handle independence and the responsibilities they encounter as young adults. The class is taught by Kelly Harrison from Darke County Recovery Services,

ACES/Council on Rural Services works with the Darke County Educational Service Center and local school districts that include Bradford Local School, Tri-Village Local Schools, Ansonia Local School, Versailles Schools, Franklin Monroe Local Schools, Arcanum Local Schools and Mississinawa Valley Schools in Darke County and Newton Local Schools in Miami County. Through this collaboration the goal is to make sure all students receive the needed instruction to succeed and finish their high school education. The classroom instruction is done at the ACES Greenville location, but credits and diplomas are from their home schools.

For more information about the ACES program call Jeff Vaughn, program coordinator at 937-548-8002 or check the web site at www.councilonruralservices.org. The Achievement Center for Education Success (ACES) and Gateway Youth are programs of Council on Rural Services … programs for innovative learning.