August News and Updates

Making Our Schools an Experience

We have been very busy this summer exploring ways to make our schools more than a mere place of education. We aspire to make our schools an experience, and our teams have been working tirelessly to make it happen. This month’s issue outlines exciting new programs and school updates.

Embracing Enhanced Learning and Thriving

Get ready for an exciting new chapter in our high schools! We are excited to announce the adoption of an innovative 4-day school week model, a strategic shift designed to revolutionize learning and foster an even more vibrant educational environment for both our students and dedicated staff.

Starting this fall, our high school students will engage in enriching, in-person instruction Monday through Thursday, ensuring all required instructional hours are met with the same expected rigor and excellence. Fridays will transform into a dynamic day for self-directed assignments, empowering students to take ownership of their learning, explore topics in depth and develop crucial independent study skills.

The benefits extend far beyond the classroom. This new model provides an invaluable opportunity for our incredible teachers. Fridays will now serve as a dedicated time for robust professional development, collaborative planning sessions, focused grading and essential teacher-based and building leadership team meetings. 

This dedicated time is a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering a healthier, more energized, and highly effective teaching force. We firmly believe that by giving our educators more time for crucial planning, professional growth and personal well-being, we will cultivate a more positive and impactful classroom experience for every student.

This initiative is a powerful step in attracting top-tier teaching talent to our schools and significantly reducing burnout and turnover among our existing, cherished staff. When teachers feel supported, energized and empowered, it creates a ripple effect, leading to increased student attendance and a remarkably improved school culture. We are confident that this forward-thinking approach will ignite a new era of innovation, collaboration and success within our high schools.



We look forward to sharing more updates as we embark on this exciting journey together!

EEG Welcomes Four New Columbus High Schools

The Educational Empowerment Group (EEG) is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion of our mission. We have proudly partnered with four additional high schools in Columbus, affectionately known as the C4 schools:

Capital High School

Central High School

Mason Run High School

Road to Success Academy

We extend a warm welcome to these schools and are eager to collaborate with their passionate leaders and dedicated Board of Directors. Together, we will re-introduce these exceptional schools to the Columbus communities they serve.

Each of the C4 schools offers a unique atmosphere designed to cater to the diverse needs of its students, alongside outstanding Career Technical Education programs. We are incredibly excited to embark on this remarkable journey, and we cannot wait to witness the success that will unfold through these powerful new partnerships.

Fired up for the New Year

This summer was all about growth for our incredible EEG educators. They jumped into professional development opportunities, sharpened their skills and collaborated with colleagues to get ready for an amazing school year. They have gained valuable knowledge and exciting new strategies that will enhance their teaching and lead to fantastic outcomes for every student. Check out what they’ve been up to.

The Ron Clark Academy Experience

Our new instructional team members recently converged at The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, for an intensive training session on exciting, innovative instructional practices. These educators leaned in to learn how to integrate student camaraderie and positivity into learning to boost engagement and accountability in the classroom. We are excited to see them put these new skills into action and take instruction to the next level in our schools.

Educators Ignite Innovation at the OSU STEAM Retreat

Our K-8 educators are fired up and ready to bring a new wave of innovation to the classroom. They recently attended an immersive, 3-day STEAM Retreat at The Ohio State University, a hands-on experience designed to spark creativity and redefine learning.

Our teachers became students themselves, diving into real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. They:

• Used paper microscopes to study microorganisms in pond water.
• Partnered with OSU’s College of Engineering to design and build a model city.
• Explored “STEMnastics” to integrate physical education with science.
• Visited the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center to learn about permafrost research.
• Tackled a Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing design challenge.

The retreat concluded with a visit to the PAST Foundation, where our educators were inspired to lead their own unique STEAM initiatives. They returned with fresh ideas, practical tools, and a renewed sense of purpose to bring STEAM learning to life for every student.

A Charge to High School Academic Coaches

This school year, the high school team’s focus is on instructional innovation. Our academic coaches recently kicked off the new year with a training designed to elevate classroom practices and put students at the center of learning.

The coaches dove into key areas like classroom walkthroughs, differentiated coaching, and personalized learning. They were challenged to think outside the box and discover what works best for their unique schools, teachers and students.

This training was a catalyst for change. Our coaches are building strong relationships with teachers and working together to find strategies that help every student not just learn, but thrive. We invite our entire high school community to join us in this exciting journey of thoughtful experimentation.

School Spotlight

We want to give a huge shout-out to Principal Randall Printup and the incredible staff at Bridge Gate Elementary for their hard work and dedication. Their tireless efforts in the community have led to a significant increase in student enrollment.

The team has been out pounding the pavement, rain or shine, day and night, to share with families the wonderful culture and environment their school offers. Their commitment has brought in approximately 40 new students, and they have warmly welcomed the new 7th and 8th grades to their school community.

In the midst of construction to accommodate these new grades, the staff has shown amazing teamwork. They have been gracious hosts to the contractors and have pulled together to ensure the school looks its best for the new school year. The Bridge Gate staff truly embodies the spirit of a dedicated “family,” working together to create the best possible environment for their students.

Elevate Your Skills at the EleVate Education Summit!

Theme: Empowering Educational Excellence

Get ready for an event designed to inspire and empower you! Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual EleVate Education Summit, a can’t-miss professional development opportunity packed with actionable strategies and proven techniques to drive growth for both you and your students.

With this year’s theme of “Empowering Educational Excellence,” the summit is your one-stop shop for everything you need to succeed. Choose from over 20 industry-relevant topics led by skilled experts, and join educators and stakeholders from across Ohio for a day of engaging collaboration and learning.

This year, we are incredibly excited to welcome our keynote speaker, the renowned Shaka Senghor! Shaka is a resilience expert and bestselling author whose powerful journey from incarceration to global inspiration has motivated leaders, athletes, and audiences worldwide. Prepare to be inspired by his transformative message.

When: Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Where: Cherry Valley Hotel and Conference Center, 2299 Cherry Valley Rd., SE, Newark, OH 43055

Ready, Set, Go! High Schools on the Move

Our high schools are hitting the ground running with incredible new programs and community partnerships designed to give students a real-world advantage. We are actively preparing our students for an amazing year of career exploration opportunities.

CASTLE High School

All three CASTLE schools will continue to offer popular programs like Rise Up Customer Service, Rise Up Retail, and Graphic Design. But that’s not all—each campus is introducing some fantastic new and specialized programs while refining existing ones:

• Parma Campus: Get ready for Video Game Design, and take your leadership skills to the next level with Lean Six Sigma Leadership and Green & Yellow Belt certifications.

• Main Campus: We are thrilled to announce brand-new programs in Cosmetology and Media Arts, along with our established STNA program.

• East Campus: Step into our brand-new labs for a new Culinary program, along with expanded Cosmetology and STNA programs.

Liberty Prep

It’s an exciting year at Liberty Prep with a brand-new Esports program. Plus, Wooshakes (Wooster Youth Shakespeare) is returning, and our partnership with the Wayne Center for the Arts now includes a new pet painting class.

Stark

Stark High School is offering a wide range of programs to prepare students for the future, including Driver’s Education and a robust Health Science pathway with courses in Healthcare Fundamentals, STNA, Phlebotomy Essentials, and Sports Medicine. They also offer Culinary Arts, JOGS, and Project Re-Build Construction Program. Students can also get involved in exciting new clubs, including Weightlifting/Fitness, Dungeons and Dragon Creative Writing, and Hawk Huddle: Student Newspaper.

SOCA

Students at SOCA can dive into career-focused programs like Media Arts and STNA. Plus, they will gain hands-on business experience running the SOCA Swag Studios merchandise store.

Celebrating Our Northeast Ohio Community Champions

This month, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible community partners who help us provide a truly holistic and enriching educational experience for our students. Thanks to an appreciation initiative led by Sandy Calvert, our Northeast Ohio schools recently hosted a luncheon to honor these amazing organizations.

Here are just a few of the partners who are making a real difference:

Children’s Concert Society: This wonderful organization has brought the magic of music to Main Prep, Steel Academy and Middlebury completely free of charge. From the soulful sounds of the Urban Troubadours to the enchanting Hammered Dulcimers, our students have enjoyed a wide range of captivating performances.

The Ohio Optometric Foundation (ISEE): The gift of sight is invaluable, and ISEE helped us give it to our students. They provided eye exams and custom eyeglasses for 27 students from Main Prep and Middlebury this past winter.

OSU Extension of Summit County: Imani Scruggs, Rachel Chapman, and Monique Chapman have been instrumental in bringing valuable programming to all four of our Summit County schools. They have introduced students to everything from financial literacy through the “Real Money Real World” program to hands-on STEM programming and a special pollination series that enhanced our culinary arts programs.

JOGS of Summit County: In our first year of partnership with JOGS, Roy Campbell has worked with Steel Academy and ACT to help students find and keep jobs. Five students from ACT have already graduated from this program, which focuses on career development, employability, and leadership skills.

Starbucks ‘All In’ Event: We are proud to have been a sponsor for the “All In” event, a fantastic initiative led by Liz Villarreal Rowe and Lu Ivey. Our very own Steel Drum Band will even be performing on the Cabaret stage at this year’s event!

The Sneakers Academy: We are excited to announce a new partnership with The Sneakers Academy at Steel Academy. This promising collaboration will provide fantastic opportunities for our students.

Operation Warm: Last winter, our students at Middlebury and Main Prep received a wonderful gift of new coats and shoes, thanks to our community partner, Operation Warm.

Chef Todd: Our culinary arts students at Steel and ACT have been inspired by Executive Chef Todd for the past two years. He has not only shared his expertise through engaging food demonstrations but has also shared his powerful and redemptive story.

These partnerships are a powerful reminder that our success is built on a foundation of community support. We are profoundly grateful for their dedication to our students’ well-being and future success.

A Time for YOU: Celebrating Wellness This August

August is National Wellness Month, the perfect time to hit pause and focus on what truly matters: you. After a busy year, we hope you enjoyed some much-needed downtime.

This month is a gentle reminder to prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being by building healthy routines and practicing self-care. When you invest in your well-being, you are better equipped to handle stress, nurture your relationships and improve your overall performance. This month, our Benefit Related Services partner dive into key wellness components like:

• Movement
• Nutrition
• Mindfulness
• Stress Management

Inside this newsletter, you will also find some helpful information about managing your stress by understanding your cortisol levels.

With the extreme heat we have been experiencing, a list of common medications that may increase heat intolerance is included.

Additionally, for all of those garden-fresh cucumbers, we have a delicious new recipe for you to try!

Wishing you a fun-filled and rejuvenating August.