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Graduates from the
Achievement Center for Educational Success (ACES) – these students
completed all their
educational course work through ACES and will attend graduation
ceremonies from their home schools.
Council on Rural Services
ACES program
graduates 16 students
GREENVILLE – Council on Rural Services is proud
to applaud the sixteen students that graduated from the Achievement
Center for Educational Success (ACES) program at a graduation event
last week with all their family and friends in attendance. The students
will also be involved in graduation ceremonies and receive diplomas
from their home school.
ACES is an alternative education program for high school students in
Darke County that offers students smaller classes, more direct
instruction and an environment where the individual student
“matters”. We believe in the approach of different choices for
students that need a second educational chance, by matching with each
student’s ability and learning style.
Program coordinator, Jeff Vaughn said, “This year we had 42 students
enrolled and we are proud to have sixteen teens graduating from ACES
and receiving their diplomas from their home schools of Arcanum-Butler,
Ansonia, Franklin Monroe, Mississinawa Valley, Tri-Village, Versailles
and Greenville. Our work with these school districts and the
Darke County Education Service Center means these students get that
second chance for positive change.”
In addition to 100% of our seniors graduating, we have 26 underclassmen
that advanced a grade level. All the students have great
achievements.
10 students completed 8 or more credits each during the school year
with all the students achieving a total of 265.25 credits
26% of the students had attendance of 90% or better, and two students
had 100% during the last semester
31% of the students were employed throughout the school year in full or
part time jobs
5 of our graduates have already secured full time employment
a fine arts class was added back into the curriculum with 14 students
participating.
Coursework at ACES is provided in an off-school campus classroom
setting under the guidance of a certified teacher Deron Johns, the
program coordinator Jeff Vaughn, and trained aides/tutors Marcia
Schlechty and Ruth Howell (a retired teacher). The program also had a
volunteer that worked all year to help in many capacities. As a
past foster parent and doing home schooling with her children she was
looking for ways to give back to the community. What a better way
than to help educate youth.
In addition to teaching, the ACES program is here to be a support
system for the students; whether its dealing with transportation,
childcare, or substance abuse issues, we are here for them.
Nakysha McNutt, a graduating student said, “If it hadn’t been for
Gateway and ACES I would never have graduated. They made me look
at life changes and gave me the support of people to talk with when
things go bad, Jeff Vaughn has been like a second father to me and gave
me advice and support, I know I will always be able to talk with Jeff
for help; there are just so many positive things about this program.”
Jeff also commented, “Our mission is to help them succeed in
school. By helping them to graduate, this program makes a
difference in their lives.”
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.
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