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Chaney sends 11 back to home schools
By Denise Dick
Youngstown
In its first year as a visual and performing arts and science, technology, engineering and mathematics school, 11 students were sent from the Chaney campus back to their home school.
Of those, eight returned because of behavior problems and three because of academics.
Both Superintendent Connie Hathorn and Lock P. Beachum Sr., school board president, view that as a positive sign.
About 330 students started this year at the school.
“We mean business,” Hathorn said. “The parents made an agreement, and the kids made an agreement.”
To be accepted into the specialty schools, parents and students had to sign a contract to maintain grades in the core subjects and abide by school rules or risk going back to their home schools.
“It’s a privilege to go there; it’s not a right,” the superintendent said.
Beachum said he’s satisfied with the program so far. He said he’s been supportive of schools that allow students to specialize in particular programs for years.
The district has received 170 applications for the VPA program for next year and 90 applications for STEM, but the deadline has been extended for all district specialty programs.
“We’re having a Super Saturday [this week], where people will be able to get more information on the programs and to allow students — and parents especially — to find out more about it,” Beachum said. “Students have been talking about it and they’re happy with it, and teachers are happy with it.”
From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, families can go to the school district administration building on West Wood Street to learn about the programs and apply. Other specialty programs include Rayen Early College Middle School, Youngstown Early College and Choffin Career and Technical Center.
The STEM and VPA programs are open to students entering sixth through 10th grade next year. Rayen Early College is open to students entering sixth grade in the fall. Youngstown Early College is open to students going into ninth grade and students who will be juniors or seniors next year are eligible to attend Choffin.
“Several people mentioned to me that they missed the application period and asked if they could still apply for one of these programs,” Hathorn said. “It is my hope that a Saturday event, at a central location on the bus line, will make it more convenient for local students and their parents.”
Applications are also available online at http://ycsd.org, or students or parents may call to speak with program directors: STEM, 330-744-8822; VPA, 330-744-8822; Rayen Early College, 330-744-7602; Youngstown Early College, 330-744-7923; or Choffin, 330-744-8700, ext. 0.
Students who attend Chaney but earn a D or an F are required under the school contract to attend an extended-day academic-probation program.
While on probation, students receive tutoring twice per week in the subject areas where their grade is lower than a C.
To be selected to attend Chaney’s VPA or STEM program, students much apply and audition and/or be interviewed by school personnel.