Superintendent Michael McDaniel

It’s the time of year when sophomores and their parents are making the decision as to where they will complete their final two years of high school. In December, sophomores had the opportunity to visit their top three program choices here at Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center (ACWHCC) and they had still another opportunity to visit the school and bring their parents on the night of our annual Open House. The time of final decision is drawing near and as a school of choice, we here at Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center (ACWHCC) must advertise ourselves. This website is one of those advertising vehicles but it can’t tell the entire story so I want to point out some of the opportunities and advantages that ACWHCC offers.

First of all, we boast a graduation rate of 98.98% and a 87.44% placement rate (jobs, further education, military, etc.) We have achieved these ratings while working with a very diverse group of students who come from the five “home” schools. How do we do it? Our staff makes a concerted effort to prepare our students through a variety of programs and teaching methods coupled with lots of individual instruction.

Our programs offer a wide range of opportunities for students. For example, students who need extra help can find everything from individualized tutoring to credit recovery assistance. Students who come to us lacking credits can take an online diagnostic test to assess areas of deficiency and then “recover” their credits through Virtual Community School (VCS). This online “classroom” can be used before, during, or after school (by special arrangement), or at home 24/7. VCS also offers complete courses for students who need credits not offered at ACWHCC. A tutor room is also available and is open one hour before school and all day for students who need extra help.

Students who desire advanced learning experiences can take advantage of our College TechPrep program curriculums and college dual-credit opportunities. All of our programs now have College TechPrep status offering articulated college credit to ACWHCC-partnering institutions upon successful completion of the program. Our programs are designed to provide rigorous educational opportunities with the objective of preparing students for careers and college. In fact, students who choose our College-Now Bioscience program, through cooperation with North Central State College, will earn a college associate’s degree in bioscience along with their high school diploma upon successful completion of the two-year program.

Our school day is set up to maximize students’ instruction time as the day is divided into three morning and three afternoon “periods” with three half-hour sections at the middle of the day. One of these mid-day periods is taken up by a program lab, one period is for lunchtime, and one period incorporates enrichment, credit recovery, intervention, tutoring, etc.

These are just a few of the many ways we meet our students’ needs as we prepare them for the world of work or higher education. I invite you to explore this website but also to take time to visit us to see for yourself why we are so proud of our school and its students.

1/7/2011