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Choosing & Finding a School

Acton Academy Columbus

Acton Academy is a private, learner-driven K-8 school. The curriculum emphasizes deep learning through Montessori and Socratic methods, play, mixed age groups, STEAM, and hands-on projects. Programs open to non-Acton students include half-day and full-day STEAM Summer Camp, Spring Nature Groups, and an annual Children’s Business Fair for young entrepreneurs to present their products and services to real customers. Find program details and fees online.
5762 Wilcox Road, Dublin, Ohio 43016
(614) 603-7227
actonacademycolumbus.com

Career & Technical Schools in Central Ohio

Columbus City Schools Career-Technical Education: Serves high school juniors and seniors with pathways for arts, communication, construction, health sciences, transportation, human services, law / public safety and more. The Adult & Community Education office offers programs for health occupations, skilled trades, computer applications, high school equivalency, and free ESL/ESOL classes.

- Columbus Downtown High School: 364 South Fourth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
  (380) 997-4213
- Fort Hayes Career Center: 546 Jack Gibbs Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43215
  (380) 997-6126
- Adult & Community Education: 2323 Lexington Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211
  (614) 365-6000
  ccsoh.us/Page/11802
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools: Offers tuition-free programs for high school juniors and seniors in Franklin, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties with programs like automotive, cosmetology, graphic design, pre-nursing and more. Programs for adults include GED, ESOL, STNA, welding, HVAC, and help finding a job. They offer a free summer camp for students grades 6-8 to explore career options. The Employability Prep program for students ages 16-21 with learning differences offers hands-on job experience and soft skills training.
- Eastland: 4465 South Hamilton Road, Groveport, Ohio 43125
  (614) 836-5725
- Fairfield: 3985 Coonpath Road Northwest, Carroll, Ohio 43112
  (740) 756-9243
- Adult Workforce Development: 4300 Amalgamated Place, Groveport, Ohio 43125
  (614) 836-4541
- District Office: 4300 Amalgamated Place, Groveport, Ohio 43125
  (614) 836-4530
  eastlandfairfield.com
Delaware Area Career Center (DACC): Offers career readiness for school-aged kids, summer camps, and unique electives for high school students such as welding, computer programming, cosmetology and more. They offer a GED program and classes for adults, such as Microsoft 365, ESOL, and firefighting. They also offer Disabilities Support for individuals under 22 years old.
4565 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio 43015
(740) 548-0708
delawareareacc.org
South-Western City Schools Career Tech: Junior and senior students can take classes toward graduation that include academic knowledge and technical skills. They also offer GED, ESL and other adult education programs.
4750 Big Run South Road, Grove City, Ohio 43123
(614) 801-3400
swcsdcareertech.com
Tolles Career & Technical Center: Serves Dublin, Fairbanks, Jonathan Alder, Hilliard, London, Madison-Plains, and Jefferson school districts. Offers free adult and continuing education opportunities for ESL, GED, STNA and EMT and more professional training programs.
7877 U.S. Highway 42 South, Plain City, Ohio 43064
(614) 873-4666
tollestech.com
Ohio Department of High Education List of Ohio Career Technical Centers: highered.ohio.gov/students/adult-learners/career-technical-education-ohio-technical-centers

Columbus City Schools (CCS) Project Connect Program

Provides a variety of services to ensure that identified children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to a free and appropriate public education. Services include help with school enrollment, transportation coordination, school supplies, and more. Go online for full program and eligibility details.
(614) 365-5140
ccsoh.us/Page/10778

Great Schools

This website database lists school ratings and reviews, and provides practical information on raising college-ready kids. Use the website to search for schools by city across the country, compare schools, and see how schools rank based on test scores, equity, and more. The E-ssential Guide to Assistive Technology provides an overview of current technologies to help parents select the right tools for children with learning disabilities.
greatschools.org

Heartland High School

Private school providing a recovery-centered education and safe, supportive environment for students in recovery from substance use disorders. Heartland High School provides education for students in grades 9-12 and under the age of 22. Graduates are awarded a state-recognized diploma. Visit the website for enrollment information.
Broad Street Presbyterian Church
760 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 947-1115
heartlandhighschool.org

Metro Schools

Metro Schools include Metro Middle School and Metro Early College High School. Their programs are public and offer small class sizes, holistic and mastery-based curriculum, and special emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to prepare students for college. Go online for program and enrollment details.
1929 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 259-6639
themetroschool.org

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)

Supports military-connected children and addresses education challenges associated with military lifestyle. They offer professional development services, educational webinars for parents, and digital resources for families to plan for transitioning schools, mental health challenges, and more.
909 Mountain Lion Circle, Harker Heights, Texas 76548
(254) 953-1923
militarychild.org

Mosaic

Experiential learning program through the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Central Ohio for high school juniors and seniors from public schools in Franklin County. Students attend the program for a half-day for one or two years, and explore the humanities through hands-on projects, field trips, and working directly with local organizations. Go online for application details.
escco.org/MosaicHumanities-BasedEducationExperience.aspx

Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Community/Charter Schools

Charter or community schools offer nontraditional, K-12 public education independently from any school district. Any student eligible to attend public school in the state of Ohio is eligible to attend a charter school for free. The ODE website provides an overview of community schools, a Directory of Community Schools, and many more resources for parents to explore education options in Ohio.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Community-Schools

Ohio Department of Education (ODE) School Report Cards

Parents can search any district or school in Ohio to find contact information, student and teacher statistics, and school performance ratings based on Ohio standards.
reportcard.education.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Education (ODEW) Ohio School Options

Outlines the school options available for students in Ohio including community/charter schools, private schools, career-technical education, STEM schools, College Credit Plus (formerly known as PSEO and Dual Enrollment), home schooling, scholarships, high school equivalence/GED, and adult diploma programs.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-Education-Options

Ohio Department of Education (ODEW) Scholarship Programs

Ohio provides scholarships to private schools for students attending low-performing public schools, scholarships for families considered low income, and students with learning disabilities to schools or programs to meet students’ needs. Go online for information about the EdChoice Program, Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, Autism Scholarship Program, and additional educational resources.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 728-2743 or (877) 644-6338
Subscribe for Text Alerts for each scholarship program: education.ohio.gov/Media/Sign-up-for-Text-Alerts/Subscribe-to-Ohio-Education-Options-Text-Alerts
education.ohio.gov/Scholarships

Ohio Department of Higher Education (OhioHigherEd)

Their website has information about two-year and four-year programs, credit transfer, ways to help finance college and more. They also offer Ohio callers information on preparation for college, admissions, student financial aid, scholarship information and general facts about enrollment at colleges and universities throughout Ohio.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-6000
highered.ohio.gov

U.S. Department of Education College Affordability & Transparency Center

Provides information and tools to compare college tuition and fees, access the FAFSA application, calculate college net price, create a financial plan, and more to help students make an informed decision about college affordability.
collegecost.ed.gov

Westside Community Charter Schools

Community schools are tuition-free, public, nonprofit, nonreligious schools that receive state and federal funds but are independent of traditional school districts. Below are schools serving the Westside communities of Columbus, Ohio. Contact the schools directly to schedule a tour and apply for admission. Find more information on Community Schools and Ohio Education options here: cap4kids.org/columbus/ohio-school-options

Franklinton High School: For Grades 9-12, located in the Franklinton community of Columbus. Their curriculum emphasizes STEAM, mentorship, and positive relationships. Program highlights include 1:1 weekly advising, robotics, computer programming, songwriting and performing arts, health, martial arts, and more. The school also has options for Special Education, College Credit Plus, Boys & Girls sports leagues, youth government, and summer camp.
89 Avondale Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43222
(614) 427-1012
franklintonhigh.org
LINC Academy: Elementary school in the Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus, serving Grades K-2. Programs include free meals, transportation, and afterschool program. The curriculum includes leadership development, social-emotional skills, a focus on early literacy, and community involvement.
33 North Grubb Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 565-8442
linccolumbus.org
United Schools Network: Provides research-based character education curriculum to prepare students academically and socially for higher education. The United Preparatory Academies (UPrep) are elementary schools serving Grades K-5, and Columbus Collegiate Academies (CCA) are middle schools serving Grades 6-8. Program highlights include a longer school day, emphasis on character development and high school placement services for Grades 8-9.
- UPrep East: 31 North Seventeenth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203
  (614) 586-1228
- UPrep State Street/Franklinton: 617 West State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
  (614) 453-8993
- CCA Main Street: 1469 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
  (614) 299-5284
- CCA Dana Avenue/Franklinton: 300 Dana Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43223
  (614) 545-9570
  unitedschoolsnetwork.org