The Accessing a College Education (ACE) program was organized in November 2002 and will serve the needs of the students of the Claymont City School District in grades 2-12.

The Claymont School District, located in the Appalachian area of Ohio, ranks 607th of the 611 Ohio public school districts in average family income. Currently only 40% of graduating seniors go on to postsecondary education. ACE’s plan over the next three years is to increase this number by 20%.

The program will include all second grade students, fifth grade students, all middle school students (7-8), and all high school students (9-12). A career resource room has been set up at the high school building for students and parents to use.

Program plans include:

• Second Grade: All second grade students in the Claymont School District will experience career awareness through the use of "I Know I Can" booklets. The ACE director will work with the second grade teachers to develop monthly lessons on career exploration.
• Fifth Grade: All fifth grade students will take part in a career visit to Union Hospital in Dover, Ohio to learn more about health related careers, and Union Hospital employees will visit the classrooms to further discuss their careers. With help from the ACE director and the elementary schools guidance counselor, fifth grade teachers will develop lessons to help the students learn more about careers in health professions.
• Seventh and Eighth Grades: Middle school students will be introduced to the program by using the Ohio Career Information System software that provides career interest surveys, data to postsecondary schools across the nation, and information on a wide variety of careers that match the students’ interests. The students will visit career sites within the county, and eighth grade students will participate in a career fair at the high school. Also, students will begin to develop an Individual Career Plan by traveling to vocational schools for career workshops.
• Freshman Year: High School freshman will continue to use the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) and will participate in a visit to Stark Technical College and several career sites throughout the county.
• Sophomore Year: Sophomores will continue to develop their Career Plan and use the OCIS in addition to taking part in a career fair, which will showcase career options. Sophomores will also be given PLAN, a pre-ACT test.
• Junior Year: Juniors will continue with OCIS and their Career Plan. A dinner will be held for parents of juniors to discuss financial aid. Students will participate in a college fair and be exposed to many postsecondary options. The students can use the College Aid Scholarship Database to create a list of financial aid, and will make field trips to colleges, universities, technical schools and other postsecondary facilities.
• Senior Year: Financial aid/scholarship meetings will be held for all parents and the ACE Director/Financial Aid will meet individually with parents requesting assistance in completing the financial aid materials. Students will have the opportunity to become part of a mentor program, working with a business or corporation in the community to begin training for a specific career.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Dawn Delcoma
Director
Accessing a College Education (ACE)
Claymont City Schools
4205 Indian Hill Rd.
Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683

Phone: (740) 922-3471
Fax: (740) 922-1031
E-mail: ddelcoma@claymont.k12.oh.us

College Access Program Map