For families in Ohio navigating the unique educational needs of their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Autism Scholarship Program has been a lifeline. But this vital resource didn’t appear overnight. Its creation is a testament to the tireless advocacy of parents, dedicated professionals, and forward-thinking policymakers who recognized a critical gap in the…
For decades, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) faced significant challenges, leaving many families searching for better educational opportunities for their children. In response to these struggles, the Cleveland Scholarship Program emerged as a controversial yet impactful initiative. The Shadow of Struggle: Problems in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District By the mid-1990s, the Cleveland City…
For the last 20 years, School Choice Ohio has stood as a steadfast advocate for educational opportunity in the Buckeye State. What began as a vision to empower parents with the ability to choose the best educational fit for their children has blossomed into a powerful force of dedicated individuals who have worked together to…
What is ECCA? The proposed Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) in the U.S. Congress is the surest near-term means by which to expand parental choice in K-12 education to children in all 50 states. ECCA would enable students from low-income to middle class households to access schools of their parents’ choice through scholarships by…
A Visit to Cristo Rey Columbus High School Since joining the SCO team in 2022, I had been hearing about the Cristo Rey network of schools, specifically the three schools in Ohio; Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Their approach to the education and training of their students was very intriguing and I was hoping for an…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to start a school? Ben Colas, an innovator in K-12 education is doing the work to bring proven educational innovations to families and students in Northeast Ohio. Ben Colas is the founder of Heights Academy, slated to open for the 2025-26 school year. Heights Academy is designed…
Sharing stories of educational choice is key to understanding its importance for Ohio families. While the issue of educational choice may be debated, the experience and success of students who were given a choice are powerful. It is clear to see that Brandy Williams is a mama bear. As the parents of 9 children, Brandy…
Sharing stories of educational choice is key to understanding its importance for Ohio families. While the issue of educational choice may be debated, the experience and success of students who were given a choice are powerful. Kristen Ostrosky and her children, Anthony (19) and Sara (16) have experienced what school choice can do for a…
Educators are making a difference in the lives of students all over Ohio through a wide variety of educational settings. While test scores can be one indicator of progress, it is impossible to gauge success without considering the individual students and their experience, both past and present. A recent visit to a community (charter) school…
The School Choice Ohio team had a great time at the 2024 Ohio State Fair. You all have given the SCO team some important takeaways from all across our state. Twelve days may seem like a long time, but this year’s fair was over in the blink of an eye. One of the main reasons…
The majority of Ohio families are happy with their local public schools. Scholarship usage has not created the mass exodus from public education or the “avalanche” of EdChoice scholarship applications as was predicted prior to the passage of HB33 in July 2023, which established universal school choice for Ohio families. The numbers of scholarships for…
Most families in Ohio choose their public schools for their child’s education. With that in mind, would it make sense to reduce funding for the largest educational option in our state? Those in opposition to school choice would have people believe that educational funding is taking money from public education to fund scholarships for the…
