Ohio Council of Community Schools

Student leadership like this deserves to be celebrated.
We’re proud to share this story about Ohio Connections Academy student Peyton Regal, who is leading a donation drive to support veterans in transitional housing at the Samuel L. Felton Jr. Valor Home in Lorain as part of her National Junior Honor Society project.
Her effort is a meaningful example of compassion, service, and student initiative in action.
Read more: https://loom.ly/1XYYi9w

Local student launches donation drive for veterans Peyton Regal, who attends Ohio Connections Academy and competes in athletics with Wellington Exempted Village Schools, has created the project "Supporting Local Veterans – Valor Home Lorain Donation Drive."

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from OCCS!
Today, we’re feeling lucky to support Ohio’s community schools and the students, educators, and families who make them strong. Wishing everyone a safe and joyful holiday.

Last Friday, our Executive Director, Lenny Schafer, and some of our OCCS staff had the opportunity to visit Northwest School of the Arts and experience firsthand the warmth, talent, and energy that make the school so special.
We’re grateful for the time and care that went into the visit and look forward to continuing to support the incredible work happening there.
Thank you, Northwest School of the Arts, for having us.

There’s still time to apply for the 19th cycle of the OCCS Scholarship.
This long-standing scholarship opportunity helps support students as they take the next step in their educational journey. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your scholarship, now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity.

Applications are open through April 3.

New Scholarship Application: https://loom.ly/lWwPR6U
Renewal Application: https://loom.ly/lWwPR6U

OCCS is proud to sponsor the 2026 Ohio Charter School Leadership Summit hosted by East West Bank. We’re honored to support this important event bringing together charter school leaders, policymakers, sponsors, and experts from across Ohio for meaningful conversations about the future of charter schools.
Learn more in our blog: https://loom.ly/6yZGSP8

OCCS Proudly Sponsoring the 2026 Charter School Leadership Summit - Ohio Council of Community Schools We are excited to share that our Executive Director, Lenny Schafer, will be speaking at the 2026 Ohio Charter School Leadership Summit, hosted by East West Bank. This premier one-day event will bring together charter school leaders, CFOs, legislators, sponsors, and policy, finance, and facility expe...

This Women’s History Month, we recognize the women who are leading change and shaping a more sustainable future. From strengthening education systems to advancing innovation, women continue to drive meaningful progress in our communities and beyond.
Read our latest blog to learn more about this year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

🔗 Read the full article: https://loom.ly/sIx7qtQ

Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future - Ohio Council of Community Schools Celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing the women leading change, strengthening communities, and shaping a more sustainable future.

We loved seeing students from our Toledo-area schools participate in our partnership experience with the Toledo Walleye. Students enjoyed time on the ice and a tour of the arena, getting an up-close look at the teamwork and operations behind game day. Thank you, Toledo Walleye, for welcoming our students and making them feel like part of the team!

Happy National Grammar Day!
Whether you love a perfectly placed comma or you’re just trying to avoid an “its/it’s” debate, today is a fun reminder that clear writing helps us communicate effectively.
To test your grammar knowledge and other fun ways to celebrate: https://loom.ly/zoHV10I

Creativity took center stage today!
Students from Ohio Virtual Academy had the opportunity to attend a performance at the Valentine Theatre as part of our continued partnership to bring meaningful arts experiences to our schools.
The show followed Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog as they launched an epic comic club to teach 21 energetic baby frogs how to create their own stories.
Experiences like this remind us how powerful the arts can be in helping students explore their ideas and find their voices.
Thank you to The Valentine Theatre for another memorable day!

We’re still reliving the excitement from the 10th Annual Online Learning Day at the Statehouse!

More than 300 eSchool families, educators, and advocates gathered to celebrate the impact of online learning and to raise their voices in support of educational choice.

We were honored to welcome OHSecofState , Frank LaRose, who delivered an engaging history lesson and spoke about the importance of civic engagement and voting. Students and parents were also inspired by our eSchool alumni panel, who shared powerful insights about staying focused and pursuing their goals with confidence.

OCCS and Ohio Parents For Education Freedom were proud to present Rep. Kevin Ritter with the Golden Apple Award in recognition of his steadfast support of eSchools and school choice.

This event is made possible each year by the incredible eSchool families who travel from near and far to celebrate this important day. We are grateful for your commitment, your advocacy, and your belief in the power of online learning.

Students from The Arts and College Preparatory Academy (ACPA) had a powerful opportunity to learn from professionals who shared their career journeys, challenges, and successes at the school's first-ever Black History Month Career Panel.
From answering thoughtful questions to offering real-world advice, these panelists opened doors to new possibilities and helped students envision their own paths forward.

This panel was a kick-off for the school's Black History Month showcase happening this Thursday.
https://loom.ly/a-jxNVs

Black History Month career panel showcases endless possibility COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Arts & College Preparatory Academy (ACPA) highlighted representation in the workforce in their first-ever Black History Month Career Panel Thursday. Students got to hear fr...

We are proud to support the mission of The American Heart Association - Ohio at their Go Red for Women luncheon. ❤️
OCCS is inspired by the brave women who shared their survivor stories, especially OCCS Board Member, Vanice Williams.
Together, we will Go Red for Women!❤️💃