New charter school to help students with their needs

CHILLICOTHE — Work continues on a building on 30 East Main Street as the Southern Ohio Career Academy gears up for its first school year in Chillicothe.

The Southern Ohio Career Academy is a new career-focused charter high school for students who are behind on credits needed to attain a high school diploma. Students ages 15 through 21 will earn credits through the recovery program the school offers as well as flexible scheduling, graduation, career counseling and small group instruction for students who may require a different educational setting. Students even have the ability to take College Credit Plus courses.

Through career exploration, students are able to know what they want to do and go straight into careers that suit their skills. The school's Career Technical Education Program allows students to receive specialized training and trade certifications.

With the small classes Veronica Fly, vice president of communications for the Education Empowerment Group, said students will receive more individualized attention and help. The small classes also allow teachers and staff to know and understand each student's situation helping them give better advice for their future.

Fly has seen firsthand how this individualized attention can help a student turn their life around at other schools in the Educational Empowerment Group.

"We have experienced success in our dropout prevention and recovery schools and we believe we will see success here in Chillicothe," said Fly.

Dr. Karla Case, the founding principal of SOCA, has had over 20 years in the school systems and said her passion is helping students get where they need to be, graduate and become successful in their careers. She said she truly wants to help any struggling student who may need extra help.

Students in Ross County who are in high school will be able to continue playing sports at their home school while attending SOCA. Case said the school is not here to compete with any other school, instead, it is here to help students and become a partner in education.

More information about the Southern Ohio Career Academy can be found online at socaedu.org.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Southern Ohio Career Academy to start first year in Chillicothe soon