Today we are highlighting an alternative school system. Towpath Trails High School in Akron, Ohio has 3 branches and is an alternative high school that is a leader in helping students graduate with an alternative career path focus that can lead students straight into good-paying jobs.
Towpath Trail High School is a free, public charter school that has been providing school choice to Akron’s youth since 2012. Towpath Trail High School has been so successful that it now has two satellite locations-one on Canton Road in East Akron and another location opening soon in Barberton. The students of Towpath Trail are provided with the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and an industry-recognized credential in a safe and flexible learning environment. Career pathways that are currently offered to Towpath students are Construction, Phlebotomy, State Tested Nursing Assistant, and Patient Care Technician. Business and Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing will be offered as well.
An exciting development in the career tech programming offered at Towpath is that the school was recently awarded a YouthBuild grant through the United States Department of Labor. YouthBuild is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that provides job training and educational opportunities for teens and young adults. YouthBuild students split their time between the vocational training work site and the classroom, where they earn their high school diploma, learn to be community leaders, and prepare for postsecondary training opportunities, including college, apprenticeships, and employment. YouthBuild includes significant support systems, such as mentoring, follow-up education, employment, and personal counseling services; and participation in community service and civic engagement.
Towpath Trail High School also provides exceptional academic instruction. Towpath exceeds standards overall on the state report card for community schools, which includes measures such as test passage and graduation rate. Class sizes are small, and students are encouraged to work at their own pace. Teachers tailor their instruction to each individual student, meeting them where they are and providing they need to progress through the curriculum. Towpath Trail High School also has a strong culture of safety and belonging for both its students and staff. Throughout the last ten years, Towpath has developed and maintained partnerships with community entities to provide on-site counseling services and mental health services to any student who needs them.
If you are looking for a school that is career-focused and places the safety of staff and students at the forefront of a quality education, Towpath Trail High School has a place for you. All three locations are currently accepting students ages 15-21. Call 234-542-0102 for more information or to schedule a tour.
