Revitalizing Rural Education in Ohio
Something interesting is underway in a small part of southeastern Ohio. The public schools there are playing a crucial role in boosting both the economy and the community, especially within Appalachia. While there’s been a lot of talk about the decline in high school test scores across America, New Lexington schools are providing a model for effective and engaging education that creates real opportunities for students while addressing community needs.
In New Lexington schools, students experience hands-on learning and career exploration from an early age. During a recent visit, I saw students take pride in their various projects, whether it was working on the school’s farm with crops and livestock or exploring skills in the phlebotomy lab and industrial kitchen. At the junior high, I noticed a class focusing on career readiness. The new workforce development center being established will offer a health clinic and adult education programs, serving both students and the local community.
Thanks to grants and partnerships, the district has collaborated with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to launch a welding program, a manufacturing lab, and an electrical trade corridor. Now, students are finishing high school with recognized industry qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities. With Genesis HealthCare System, they even start training as phlebotomists and healthcare providers before graduation, gaining valuable experience in real hospitals that cater to local employment needs. Furthermore, they’re diversifying programs, adding everything from drone certification to media production, with plans for advanced manufacturing and broadband technology.
New Lexington is also dedicated to the overall well-being of its students, which is crucial. Investments in these programs typically yield about a sevenfold return to the community. All students receive free meals throughout the day, and the school works with local organizations to provide access to counselors and mental health support. Preschool has expanded to five days a week, and there are after-school services aimed at supporting families, including initiatives to tackle the opioid crisis. They are even introducing driver education and other programs to help students secure jobs.
It’s remarkable, really. There’s no shortage of young individuals feeling disconnected from school and anxious about the future, but New Lexington’s commitment to career and technical education is revitalizing student engagement. They give students real control over their futures while also rejuvenating rural communities. And they’ve made sure career and technical education isn’t just for a select few but is integrated into the experience of every student.
The results are impressive. Last year, 780 students participated in these programs and earned a total of 1,551 industry certifications that can help them in local job markets. By making school both relevant and engaging, the graduation rate in the district has surged from 78% in 2018 to 99% now. Not to mention, attendance is increasing, and families are eager to enroll their children in the strong public education being offered.
When we visited, we got to hear firsthand from students about how New Lexington’s approach is shaping their lives and futures. Many are involved in the apprenticeship programs, and some graduated with associate degrees while attending high school.
What’s interesting is that the success of New Lexington seems to stem from a deep commitment to community and relationships. By partnering with educators, unions, businesses, and nonprofits, they’ve created an environment where schools can genuinely contribute to growth and opportunity. Teachers feel heard and respected, and there’s a push to replicate this collaborative model for career and technical education across the country.
New Lexington has faced challenges, like increasing poverty, addiction issues, limited resources, and a lack of pathways to higher education. In fact, not many students pursued four-year degrees after high school. Yet, instead of backing away from these problems, the community united to explore solutions and partnerships, reimagining public education as a means to transform their environment.
It’s clear that the district worked hard with local families and businesses to tailor educational opportunities to meet community needs and create pathways to good jobs. They evaluated local industries and aligned educational programs accordingly, starting as early as third grade with experiences in welding (under careful supervision, of course). The goal is to shift perceptions of what students from rural areas can achieve.
As a nation, it would be beneficial to learn from the successes of New Lexington and to invest in similar public education models. We should provide students with diverse pathways to further education after high school. Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools offer relevant, hands-on learning that encourages problem-solving and effective communication. These programs have been shown to boost graduation rates significantly, as well as local economies, while addressing labor shortages.
The future of America really hinges on how well we create opportunities for young people. As New Lexington illustrates, the route to the American Dream is still very much alive and well within public schools. We need to join forces to enhance public education instead of stepping away from it, and New Lexington serves as a strong role model for this effort.
