WCLA earns high marks on latest state report card

May 16—LIMA — Officials from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce visited the West Central Learning Academy on Thursday to recognize the school's achievement on its latest state report card.

The public charter school, which provides credit recovery and drop-out prevention for students in ninth grade through 22 years old, exceeded ODEW standards for graduation, student achievement and progress for the 2022-23 school year.

WCLA received its first exceeding standards report card in 2019.

The latest report card shows 51% of students who entered the academy in 2017 graduated within five years, while 57% of students who started in 2018 graduated within eight years, exceeding standards set by the ODEW for drop-out recovery schools.

The school exceeded graduation standards for all but its four-year (35%) and six-year (37%) graduation rates, though both of those rates still met standard ODEW guidelines. WCLA's combined graduation rate hit 47% last school year.

"A lot of our students come to us two or three years behind," Superintendent Mindy Schulz said, "so for them to graduate is quite an accomplishment."

The school, which enrolled 56 students last school year, offers a blended learning model: Students choose between morning or afternoon classes at WCLA, then finish their schoolwork remotely. Eligible students may also apply for College Credit Plus or career technical programs through WCLA's partnership with Apollo Career Center, Rhodes State and other colleges.

The flexible environment works well for students who struggled in traditional academic settings, Schulz said.

"They find this setting a better alternative for them," she said.

The school's graduation ceremony will be held Friday.