Early College pleased with first year
Michelle Doss
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: pageone
- Page 1 of 1
The first official school year is almost over for the Youngstown Early College, the first of its kind in the Youngstown area, and the 70 high school students enrolled there are on their way to pursuing their postsecondary education.
Larry Johnson, dean of the YEC, said he is "very pleased with the school's progression this year." Each upcoming year, 75-100 students will be introduced to the program with a limit of 400 for grades 9-12.
Johnson said students were concerned about lack of social activities and events as compared with their home schools, but "they understand the great benefits of the program and are willing to accept the trade-off."
"While facing challenges in the new environment, YEC has not made any major changes to the curriculum, but does remain flexible to the students' needs," Johnson said.
Despite the fact the students face rigorous instruction in order to prepare for their college education, more than 50 percent of students participate in community service, such as volunteering at the Rich Center for Autism and Wee Care Day Care, both also housed in Fedor Hall, along with some involvement in job shadowing.
The YEC, which opened August 2004, is one of only eight schools of this type in the Ohio region. Emily Hedrick of the KnowledgeWorks Foundation said the fact the schools are so new makes it difficult to talk about results and productivity within the schools.
YEC received initial startup funding from the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the Gates Foundation, utilizing collaboration between Youngstown State University and the Youngstown Public School District, who will share the school's costs.
The KnowledgeWorks Foundation's core principle states: "this initiative tests the idea that intellectual challenge and academic rigor, along with the opportunity to save time and tuition dollars, are powerful ways to motivate students to work hard and succeed in serious intellectual work."
Students enrolled at the institution face the common focus of early colleges - high expectations, a small learning environment, respect and responsibility, inclusion of parents and community, high performance standards and in-depth learning and understanding.
The students will complete the program in four years with a high school diploma and with up to 60 hours of college credit without incurring any tuition costs.
Candidates for the school are chosen based on their academic achievement and school attendance, with priority given to students with low family income.
Call Michelle Doss at (330) 941-1913
Larry Johnson, dean of the YEC, said he is "very pleased with the school's progression this year." Each upcoming year, 75-100 students will be introduced to the program with a limit of 400 for grades 9-12.
Johnson said students were concerned about lack of social activities and events as compared with their home schools, but "they understand the great benefits of the program and are willing to accept the trade-off."
"While facing challenges in the new environment, YEC has not made any major changes to the curriculum, but does remain flexible to the students' needs," Johnson said.
Despite the fact the students face rigorous instruction in order to prepare for their college education, more than 50 percent of students participate in community service, such as volunteering at the Rich Center for Autism and Wee Care Day Care, both also housed in Fedor Hall, along with some involvement in job shadowing.
The YEC, which opened August 2004, is one of only eight schools of this type in the Ohio region. Emily Hedrick of the KnowledgeWorks Foundation said the fact the schools are so new makes it difficult to talk about results and productivity within the schools.
YEC received initial startup funding from the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the Gates Foundation, utilizing collaboration between Youngstown State University and the Youngstown Public School District, who will share the school's costs.
The KnowledgeWorks Foundation's core principle states: "this initiative tests the idea that intellectual challenge and academic rigor, along with the opportunity to save time and tuition dollars, are powerful ways to motivate students to work hard and succeed in serious intellectual work."
Students enrolled at the institution face the common focus of early colleges - high expectations, a small learning environment, respect and responsibility, inclusion of parents and community, high performance standards and in-depth learning and understanding.
The students will complete the program in four years with a high school diploma and with up to 60 hours of college credit without incurring any tuition costs.
Candidates for the school are chosen based on their academic achievement and school attendance, with priority given to students with low family income.
Call Michelle Doss at (330) 941-1913