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 offer training programs that can prepare students for the workforce or college degree programs. Career-Technical Education (CTE) is available at every public school in the state of Ohio free of tuition. High school students should check with their home school district to see what CTE school they are eligible to attend, and for transportation options. Students may attend CTE schools for half-day or full-day programs to continue extracurriculars or classes at their home school. Program pathways typically include healthcare careers such as nursing, information technology, automotive services, welding, cosmetology, graphic design, and others. Check with each CTE school to see what programs they offer. Many CTEs offer adult education programs such as free diploma and GED programs, career certificates, and personal enrichment classes.
List of Ohio Career Technical Centers: highered.ohio.gov/about/ohios-campuses/career-technical-education/career-technical-education-ohio-technical-centers
Columbus City Schools Career-Technical Education: Serves high school juniors and seniors in the Columbus City Schools district. Adult & Community Education offers programs for health occupations, skilled trades, computer applications, high school equivalency, and free ESL/ESOL classes.
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools: Offers programs for high school juniors and seniors in Franklin, Fairfield, and Pickaway counties. Programs for adults include GED, ESL/ESOL, STNA, HVAC, and welding. Employability Prep is a personalized, transitional program for Franklin County students ages 16-21 with learning differences to receive hands-on training at community job sites. They offer free summer day camps for Grades 6-8 to experience hands-on learning.
4300 Amalgamated Place, Groveport, Ohio 43125
High School: (614) 836-4530
Adult Workforce: (614) 836-4541
Summer Camp: (614) 836-4530
eastlandfairfield.com
Delaware Area Career Center (DACC): Offers a variety of career-readiness opportunities for middle school and high school students on their campus and through satellite programs. They offer summer day camps for rising 7-9th grade students in Big Walnut, Buckeye Valley, Delaware City, Olentangy, Worthington, and Westerville school districts. Adult Education includes free adult diploma, GED, ESL/ESOL, and personal enrichment classes.
4565 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio 43015
(740) 548-0708
delawareareacc.org
South-Western City Schools Career Tech: For junior and senior high school students in South-Western City School District. They also offer free adult workforce development courses in the evenings for HVAC, Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA), auto maintenance, and more.
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. Adult educational opportunities include free ESL, GED, STNA EMT, personal enrichment classes, and more.
7877 U.S. Highway 42 South, Plain City, Ohio 43064
(614) 873-4666
tollestech.com
Provides services to help youth experiencing homelessness access public education and remove barriers to attendance. 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
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
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
Online community resource guide to help community members living and working in the Hilltop area (zip codes 43204, 43222, 43223, 43123 and 43228). Resources are divided into 10 categories: emergency services, health & social services, food, housing, education, business & workforce, faith, youth & family, recreation & arts, and government services.
(614) 636-3644
hilltopusa.org
Bexley City School District
Big Walnut Local School District
Buckeye Valley Local School District
Canal Winchester Local Schools District
Columbus City School District
Delaware City School District
Dublin City School District
Fairbanks Local School District
Gahanna-Jefferson Public School District
Grandview Heights City School District
Groveport Madison Local School District
Hamilton Local School District
Hilliard City School District
Jefferson Local School District
Johnstown-Monroe Local School District
Jonathan Alder Local School District
Licking Heights Local School District
Marysville Exempted Village School District
New Albany-Plain Local Schools
Northridge Local School District
Olentangy Local School District
Pickerington Local School District
Reynoldsburg City School District
South-Western City School District
Southwest Licking Local School District
Teays Valley Local School District
Upper Arlington City School District
Westerville City School District
Westfall Local School District
Whitehall City School District
Worthington City School District
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
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
facebook.com/MilitaryChild
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
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
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
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 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
education.ohio.gov/Scholarships
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
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
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