Council on Rural Services...
Aces Program graduates 18 students 
June 10, 2012

GREENVILLE   –   Council on Rural Services is proud to congratulate the eighteen students that graduated from the Achievement Center for Educational Success (ACES) program and received diplomas from their local school districts. The program believes in the approach of different choices for students that seek a different educational option by providing individualized instruction to match each student’s ability and learning style. 

Program coordinator, Jeff Vaughn said, “We collaborated with seven different school districts this year and the staff were dedicated to help every student that attended ACES”.   Strong year-end accomplishments included: 

47 students were enrolled in the 9th through 12th grades from seven school districts

18 students attending graduated from six of the school districts; Greenville City Schools, Mississinawa Valley Schools, Tri-Village Local Schools, Arcanum-Butler Local Schools, Bradford Exempted Village Schools, and Versailles Exempted Village Schools,

94.7% of the 286 credits attempted in all courses, were successfully completed.

25 students advanced to their next grade level.

Students achieved a 90% attendance rate during the year. 

Coursework at ACES is provided in an off-school campus classroom setting under the guidance of two certified teachers, the program coordinator, and trained aides/tutors (including one retired teacher and AmeriCorps for Entrepreneurial Success members). Social skills and behavioral counseling are also offered to all students enrolled.  The overall goal of ACES is to bring each student up to their grade-level performance and on to diplomas awarded from their home schools. 

Through surveys completed by all the participating school districts, the following comments were made: 

Greenville students have been very successful at ACES, and your program has helped some students thrive when they would not have elsewhere. We have been able to maintain a high graduation rate thanks to the ACES program. ACES are always willing to do whatever it takes. 

Every staff member does a great job working with all levels of students so that each and every one has success. Having success has not been part of many of these students in the past. We are thankful for the ACES option for our students. 

When students were asked about the program, at least 94% said they felt the program was beneficial, their attendance and grades improved, and they thought ACES gave them the opportunity to graduate.  Jeff also commented, “We strive to furnish the needed instruction for the students to help them succeed in school.  By helping them to graduate, this program makes a difference in their lives.” 

Through the ACES program, Council on Rural Services works closely with the Darke County Education Service Center and local school districts including Greenville City Schools, Bradford Local School, Tri-Village Local Schools, Ansonia Local School, Versailles Exempted Village Schools, Franklin Monroe Schools, Arcanum-Butler Local Schools and Mississinawa Valley Schools in Darke County. 

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.