State updates its list for voucher program

Even though they are off the list, schools may still lose pupils to the program.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Nine area schools have been removed from the state voucher program based on improved academic performance by their students.

However, the latest list of affected schools released by the Ohio Department of Education on Wednesday shows that seven new schools have been added, all but one of them in Youngstown.

Four schools remained on the list for a second year.

The state launched its EdChoice Program last fall and offers 14,000 tuition vouchers of up to $5,000 each to pupils in schools ranked in state academic watch or academic emergency for two of the three previous years. The vouchers can be used only at private schools that accept students under the program.

The application period for vouchers to be issued this fall ended April 20, so, even though nine schools are no longer on the list, any pupil from those schools who was granted a voucher during that application period still gets it.

And, they can keep getting it up through the 12th grade, no matter what their home school does academically.

Three lists

Schools removed from the list are:

•Blott Elementary, Liberty.

•East Liverpool Middle School.

•West Elementary School, Youngstown.

•Rayen High School, Youngstown (now closed).

•Wilson High School, Youngstown (now closed).

•Horace Mann Elementary, Warren.

•Western Reserve Middle, Warren.

•East Middle, Warren.

•Turner Middle, Warren.

Schools added to the list are:

•Westgate Elementary, East Liverpool.

•Alpha School of Excellence, Youngstown.

•Athena School of Excellence, Youngstown.

•East High School, Youngstown (opening this fall).

•Taft Elementary, Youngstown.

•Volney Rogers Junior High, Youngstown.

•Williamson Elementary, Youngstown.

Schools remaining on the list for a second year are:

•Washington Alternative School, Warren.

•P. Ross Berry Middle, Youngstown.

•Odyssey: School of Possibilities, Youngstown.

•Hayes Middle, Youngstown.

gwin@vindy.com