The Greater Dayton School – A New Approach to Education

What would an education revolution look like?  The answer might be at the Greater Dayton School (GDS) through the investment of real estate and technology entrepreneur Larry Connor and the vision of Principal AJ Stich. 

The Greater Dayton School was founded by asking important questions…

What would a school and an education system look like if you pictured an ideal student as an adult and worked backwards?  What would that student be doing at age 10, in 5th grade? How about age 4? In PreK? What subjects would the student learn?  How would the student learn those subjects?

A J Stich, Principal – Greater Dayton School

Research in Neuroscience says that a brain is not fully developed until the age of 27. 

Through extensive research with that milestone as their guide, the Greater Dayton School “reverse engineered” what a student needs educationally, physically, emotionally, and mentally to meet the following goals at age 27:

• 80% are successful by their own definition
• Physically and mentally healthy
• Living lives of character and integrity
• Financially Independent
• Established in a career

The Greater Dayton School opened its doors in the fall of 2022 at their temporary campus at 138 S. Wilkinson in Dayton serving students in pre-K to 3^rd grade.  Construction for their permanent campus started in January 2022 and is projected for completion in the summer of 2023. Ultimately, GDS will serve students in Pre-K to 8^th grades, with 2 classes of 20 students at each grade level. GDS will see its first graduating class in 2028 with that class reaching age 27 in 2041.

The Greater Dayton School serves a cross-section of under-resourced students in Montgomery County that includes…

• Students whose parents want – but can’t afford – a transformational whole-child educational experience for them.
• Students whose families have been impacted by generational, not situational, poverty.
• Students whose families are committed to supporting their development.
• Students whose families are seeking a racially diverse educational environment.
• Students with special needs

GDS Families invest in their student’s education through an annual $375 fee.  All families whose student is enrolled at GDS sign a covenant to indicate their support of the school, but most importantly the student.  While Ohio’s average education cost per student is $12,500, the Greater Dayton School provides education and wrap-around services with an average cost of $30,000 per student. 

What do under-resourced kids need to reach the goals at age 27?  

Every student who attends the Greater Dayton School is provided with:

• Academic interventions.
• Extended-day and extended-year programming
• Low student-to-teach ratios
• Nutrition and fitness
• Counseling
• Healthcare
• Vision
• Dental
• Family services to help stabilize the home environment
• Alumni services to make sure they get to and through the right high schools and colleges for them

Greater Dayton School’s Core Values

Student-First, Student-Centered

Dream Big; Work Hard

Ownership by Everyone

Do the Right Thing

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2023-24 school year.  It isn’t surprising that the Greater Dayton School will fill all their open spots for next year.  For more information on the Greater Dayton School, visit their website at www.GreaterDaytonSchool.org.