The mission of the Educational Empowerment Group is to promote knowledge, wisdom and understanding to all stakeholders that empowers success in our global society.
Vision
The vision of the Educational Empowerment Group is to elevate the experience for students and stakeholders by positively changing the landscape of charter school education.
A Message from the CEO
We made it! Another incredible, milestone-filled school year has drawn to a close.As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on the profound impact of the work you do every day. Leading a school is a monumental task, but it is also one of the most sacred privileges in our society. Principals manage buildings while shaping the futures of our students.
With that shared mission in mind, I am asking each of you to deeply prioritize our student recruitment and enrollment efforts in the weeks ahead. Recruitment is so much more than a numbers game or an administrative checklist. Student recruitment is an act of advocacy. Every time we connect with a new family, we are opening a door of opportunity that could fundamentally alter a child’s life trajectory.
For our K-8 leaders, prioritizing recruitment means giving more children the privilege of a robust STEAM education. It means welcoming a child into an environment where science, technology, engineering, arts, and math ignite their curiosity, teach them how to problem-solve, and instill a lifelong confidence to innovate.
For our high school leaders, prioritizing recruitment means expanding access to life-changing Career Technical Education. It means giving young people the hands-on skills, industry credentials, and real-world preparation they need to step off the graduation stage and directly into high-demand careers or higher education with a clear purpose.
Every empty seat in our classrooms represents a child who is missing out on the transformative education our staff provides. Our communities deserve to know what makes our schools so special, and no one can tell that story with more passion, authenticity, and heart than you.
Please challenge your teams to be visible, to engage deeply with our neighborhoods, and to share the incredible stories of growth happening within your walls. Let’s work together to ensure that every family looking for a brighter future finds a home in one of our schools.
Thank you for your tireless dedication, your resilient leadership, and your unwavering belief in the potential of every student.
With deep gratitude and respect,
Wendy Rydarowicz
EEG Founder
Principal Spotlight
Two of EEG’s dynamic school administrators are gaining recognition for their dedication to professional development and educational leadership. Principal Renee Holt of The Steel Academy and Principal Kelly Brodzenski of Beacon Academy were recently featured as guest panelists on a new episode of the prominent educational podcast, MONDAY MATTERS: Making an Impact with Ohio Mastermind Members.
The broadcast assembled an elite cohort of Ohio educators currently participating in the Impact Mastermind program. The ongoing professional initiative is operated in close partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Adkins & Company, LLC and Principal Matters, LLC.
During the panel discussion, Principals Holt and Brodzenski explored the shifting landscape of modern school administration. The conversation focused heavily on how collective coaching models and cross-district collaboration sharpen a leader’s day-to-day practices. Both administrators emphasized that these collaborative networks create a positive trickledown effect, allowing principals to more effectively mentor, support and develop their own instructional staff.
Development of our new South Carolina school network reached a visible milestone with the official installation of monumental campus signage. The structural completion comes alongside strong community interest, with enrollment figures showing consistent weekly growth ahead of the inaugural fall opening.
The upcoming launch represents a strategic investment in the Myrtle Beach region. Operating under a framework of innovation, academic rigor, and structured support, the campuses are positioned to serve as community hubs that foster long-term student success. School leadership will begin sharing grand opening schedules and exclusive campus sneak peeks as the academic year approaches.
The High School Hub
Our high school campuses have been alive with energy this past month, as our mission to provide transformative support and unique opportunities drove several significant milestones. We invite you to explore these recent highlights, which celebrate the dedication, enthusiasm and outstanding achievements of our vibrant school community.
Adulting 101: Students Take on the Real World
Liberty Prep School – What does it actually cost to live independently? Students at Liberty Prep High School answered that question firsthand during a recent session of Real Money, Real World, an interactive financial literacy simulation. The hands-on program challenged students to step into the roles of working adults, navigating the complexities of household budgeting, financial planning and daily consumer choices.
Throughout the immersive exercise, participants were tasked with balancing a realistic monthly budget while managing simulated, unexpected real-life expenses. School faculty and staff noted that the impactful event relied heavily on local collaboration. A wide network of volunteers and community partners generously donated their time and professional insight, acting as station booths and advisors to guide the students through their financial decisions. Faculty credited these community partnerships with transforming a standard classroom economics lesson into an unforgettable, practical life experience for the student body. Take a look at some of the footage.
Building the Future
Stark High School – Thanks to the groundwork of Sandy Calvert, our Director of Community Engagement, Stark High School students traded standard textbooks for blueprints and building materials recently during a dynamic, hands-on STEM day. The activity allowed students to directly apply engineering and physics concepts while collaborating in teams.
The event was powered by STEM Playbook, a data-driven program designed to measure impact at both the student and institutional levels. To ensure the experience drove meaningful growth, the program tracks several key metrics, including student understanding of STEAM concepts, career awareness and overall confidence.
Through a combination of pre- and post-program student surveys, real-time facilitator observation rubrics, and individual student portfolio reflections, Stark High is able to capture true learning as it happens.
The day concluded with a comprehensive post-program impact report, providing the school with aggregated data, insights and tailored recommendations for future programming. By measuring everything from student engagement to facilitator effectiveness, Stark High continues to ensure its STEM initiatives offer continuous improvement and top-tier opportunities for all students.
Senior Spotlight
Central High School –Central High School graduating seniors are receiving a comprehensive academic and celebratory send-off this month, thanks to a coordinated effort by school administration and staff. Led by Dr. Garey Lewis, the school has launched a special initiative designed to both prepare students for higher education and reward them for their academic achievements.
As part of the program, Central High faculty are escorting seniors on eight distinct college tours spanning Dayton, Springfield and Cincinnati. The regional excursions aim to provide students with firsthand exposure to various campus environments and post-secondary opportunities. The multi-city tour series will culminate in an end-of-year celebratory trip to Kings Island amusement park. We commend Dr. Lewis and his staff for creating an initiative that effectively balances future academic preparation with well-earned milestone celebrations.
A Perfect Score: CNA Class Achieves 100% Pass Rate!
Southern Ohio Career Academy– SOCA’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program has achieved a historic milestone, with 100% of its current cohort successfully passing both their clinical rotations and rigorous academic coursework.
This feat has been attributed to the intense discipline, professionalism and perseverance demonstrated by the students. We commend the faculty and support staff for their tireless guidance throughout the intensive training process.
The achievement comes at a critical time, as the newly minted graduates prepare to sit for their official State Board examinations. The perfect completion rate has generated immense momentum across the SOCA network, with the entire SOCA community rallying behind the students as they take the final step toward entering the professional healthcare workforce. Our CTE programming is making an impact on the lives of our students.
The K-8 Chronicles
Fueled by the proper tools and encouragement, our K-8 students continue to reach new heights through classroom breakthroughs and meaningful community service. We invite you to explore the remarkable milestones and success stories that have emerged across our campuses over the past month as these young leaders set a new standard for excellence.
All Aboard!
Main Prep Academy – Students in grades 3–8 at Main Prep traded the classroom for the open tracks recently, embarking on an unforgettable day’s ride aboard the historic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
The immersive educational excursion was made possible thanks to the generosity and leadership of Main Prep’s Board President, James George. The trip offered students a unique, front-row seat to a whole new world of learning, exposing them to vibrant local history, stunning nature views and regional landmarks. By stepping outside the school walls, the students were able to connect their studies to the rich heritage and environment of the Cuyahoga Valley, creating lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
A Classroom Without Walls
InnovationAcademy West – IAW is transforming its campus grounds into a living laboratory with the official launch of its brand-new Horticulture Program which will be showcased during the school’s Summer Enrichment Program. Developed through a close collaboration between motivated students, the EEG facility team, and the academic faculty, the initiative has successfully broken ground on a unique, hands-on science curriculum designed for the summer months.
To kick off the program, the collaborative team constructed eight custom raised garden beds from scratch, filling them with nutrient-dense soil to establish the physical foundation for agricultural study.
With the infrastructure complete, the program is transitioning into its competitive summer phase: The Summer Garden Challenge.
Students have been organized into specialized agricultural teams, each tasked with designing and maintaining the most productive 6×10-foot plot possible. Rather than standard planting, the challenge serves as a practical masterclass in agricultural engineering and ecosystem management. To maximize their yields, student teams must strategically balance three core environmental variables:
High-Yield Agriculture – Selecting and spacing seasonal summer vegetables to optimize food production.
Pollinator Integration – Strategically planting specific flowers to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to ensure natural crop pollination.
Organic Pest Management – Applying eco-friendly, natural defense mechanisms to deter destructive insects without the use of harsh chemical pesticides.
School leadership noted that by shifting away from traditional textbooks and screens, students are gaining a foundational understanding of biology, sustainable farming and environmental stewardship. The project aims to foster critical teamwork, resilience and real-world problem-solving skills that students will carry forward into their future academic careers.
A Legacy of Excellence
South Side Academy – The inaugural Barbara Taylor Academic Excellence Award was officially presented yesterday during South Side Academy’s 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony, marking a historic moment for both the school and the district. The prestigious award went to Mi’Shia C., a student whose near-perfect academic record embodies the highest standards of scholastic achievement.
The award was newly created to honor students who exemplify outstanding dedication, hard work and a profound commitment to learning, the very traits modeled by legendary educator Mrs. Barbara Taylor. Mrs. Taylor recently retired after an incredible 70-year career with the Youngstown City School District. At 89 years old, she has mentored generations of students and teachers while remaining a steadfast champion for strong educational fundamentals.
Mi’Shia stands as a remarkably fitting first recipient to set the standard for future generations. From the 4th through the 8th grade, she maintained a stunning academic run, earning only a single “B” on her report cards over five years. School leadership praised her determination and celebrated her historic milestone, noting that she has established an incredibly high bar for all future nominees to strive toward.
The Weight of Leadership and the Gift of Impact
Leadership is sometimes synonymous with frustration, fatigue and the fear that you may not be making the positive difference you envisioned. This is the natural reality of a role that demands a perpetual cycle of maintaining operational excellence, pushing students to exceed expectations and nurturing a healthy staff culture. The end of the school year can bring mixed emotions of happiness, relief and burn-out.
Principal Alexandra Kolb received the most heartfelt inspirational message from one of her recent graduates:
This is an award that I am honored to give to the top three staff members who not only made my educational experience better, but also gave me pride and confidence in myself. Before I came here, I honestly didn’t have faith that I would graduate. I didn’t believe I would be able to accomplish any of this.
At the time, I was in the process of joining the military, and one of the requirements is having a high school diploma or GED. I knew I didn’t want to take the GED test, and that’s when I found this school.
Within my first week here, I had already completed almost five units because many of my classes were advanced. That showed me what was possible. A lot of that came from the efficiency, progress, and support that was built throughout the school year and through the relationships I made here.
Now that we are finally coming to an end of this journey, I’ll always remember the enjoyable moments, the laughter, the conversations behind closed doors, and all the memories we shared. I am more than proud to present this award.
Hopefully, when I come back to visit, the school will have an even bigger building by then. I do plan to visit after graduation, and hopefully even before I leave for the United States Marines. If everything goes as planned, I should ship off in July, so you’ll probably see me again around September or October.
But everything was worth it, because progress and history were made at this school. My grades went up and down at times, but they prove that you can succeed if you truly try and put in the effort. Without effort and hard work, there can be no progress.
Thank you Principal Kolb for changing the lives of our students!
Summer Safety Briefing
To ensure our students return in the fall safe, healthy and ready to learn, please review and distribute these critical summer safety focus areas across all school campus networks:
Focus Area 1: Digital Safety & Account Security
During the summer, an increase in unscheduled downtime typically correlates with higher student screen time. Our schools have reported an uptick in student profile-sharing, where peers trade passwords to manage or modify each other’s social media accounts. This trend has directly caused cyberbullying incidents, reputational damage and interpersonal conflicts.
Message parents to review profile privacy with their children.
Encourage the use of parental controls to manage app usage and screen time limits.
Train families to spot the warning signs of online bullying, such as anxiety or secretive device usage.
Focus Area 2: Student Mental Wellness
Without the structural scaffolding and daily touchpoints provided by school staff, student mental health challenges can easily go unnoticed over the summer. Here are tips to share with our families:
Provide families with resources on maintaining loose but consistent daily schedules (sleep, nutrition, and exercise).
Encourage open home environments where students feel safe discussing feelings of isolation.
Urge early outreach to healthcare professionals if parents notice extended periods of sadness or withdrawal.
Fuel Your Body and Mind
This month’s Wellness in News is packed with fascinating updates, health breakthroughs and practical tips to help you live your best life. Grab a healthy snack and dive into this month’s top features:
American Heath Association outlines new steps to support heart health
Medical marijuana reclassified as less dangerous and moved from a schedule 1 drug to a schedule 3.
Suicide rates have declined since the launch of 988
Plus, explore the following:
Learn why eating protein at every meal is your secret weapon for stabilizing blood sugar, preventing energy crashes, and repairing muscles.
Is your medicine cabinet ready for the season? Use our checklist of 10 summer health essentials to make sure you’re stocked up and that nothing has expired.
Whip up a batch of our delicious Trail Mix Bars, the perfect portable fuel for your next outdoor adventure.
Check out the monthly issue of Wellness in the News and click on the latest issue of Live Well, Work Well below:
Volume 45 | June 2026 EEG News & UpdatesMissionThe mission of the Educational Empowerment Group is to promote knowledge, wisdom and understanding to all stakeholders…
