Schools Fuel Rich Talent Pool in Dayton, OH

Public Schools Help Students Excel

Dayton Public Schools serves more than 12,000 students, pre-K through 12th grade and begins preparing students for college and careers at an early age.

The district’s preschool program received the highest rating by the Ohio Department of Education, and Dayton Public Schools participates in College Credit Plus, Ohio’s dual enrollment program that enables students in grades 7-12 to earn high school and college credits at the same time.

High school students also have the opportunity to enroll in one of more than two dozen Career Tech programs, ranging from engineering and design to advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.

The neighboring Oakwood City School District provides K-12 students a variety of options to develop hard and soft skills. Whether through service, career education, character development, preparation for college, entrepreneurship activities or partnerships with area businesses, the school system works to provide real-world skills and experiences.

“The Oakwood School community educates students to become ethical decision-makers who achieve their life goals, take responsible risks and contribute to the greater good of the world,” says Traci Hale, community relations director of Oakwood City School District.

Preparing for STEM Careers in Dayton, OH

The independent public Dayton Regional STEM School was established to help fill the skills gap in STEM career fields.

The school, which serves students in grades 6-12 from a seven-county service area, emphasizes project-based learning and career exploration in science, technology, engineering and math.

“Dayton is such a hub for innovation, and to have a school that is directly dedicated to creating a pipeline for STEM careers is a big deal,” says Stephanie Adams Taylor, director of strategic partnerships for Dayton Regional STEM School. “We work with our community and industry partners to determine those careers that are in demand right here in our community.

“For example, we heard from our partners that there was a need for advanced manufacturing, so we created a manufacturing center with 3D printers, laser cutters and photonics equipment.”

Adams Taylor says because admission is based on a lottery system, more underserved populations are able to have access to the school’s innovative curriculum and programming.

The school has a 100% graduation rate, and 70% of graduates follow a STEM career pathway, whether in college or the workforce.

“We have a great reputation for being very innovative and taking risks and letting our students lead the charge in their education. It’s just a great special place to be, and, because we have a lottery admission process, anyone can be a part of this community,” she says.

After high school, a network of community colleges, including Clark State College, Edison State Community College, Sinclair College and Southern State Community College, work to prepare students to enter the Dayton-area workforce.

Ready for Work in the Dayton Region

Clark State College offers a wide range of services to both students and business partners to help grow and retain talent.

The college offers two-year and four-year degree programs as well as certificates and customized training programs in the region’s most in-demand careers and industries, from health care, manufacturing and logistics to IT, cybersecurity, and web development and design.

“All of our programs are driven by business advisory committees — groups of business and industry leaders — who discuss and advise on course curriculums, student experience and relevant technology to ensure our programs are aligned with their needs,” says Lesli Beavers, director of workforce and business solutions for Clark State.

“We also partner with our economic development leaders and play an active role in promoting workforce pipelines for economic growth and success. Clark State is focused on the future of work, making sure that our programs are in line with both current and future technology and that all programs are training our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”