JMCSS partners with Ombudsman to create The Bridge Academy to help nontraditional learners graduate from high school. Prospective students and their families can learn more by coming to an Information Day anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Jones Room at the Casey Jones Old Country Store and Restaurant located at 56 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson. Ombudsman is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education as a “whole school reform model” provider, and JMCSS is accessing federal Race to the Top monies to fund the program.
Jackson-Madison County School System Partners with Ombudsman Educational Services
The Bridge Academy to Help Nontraditional Learners Graduate from High School
Release Highlights:
- JMCSS partners with Ombudsman to create The Bridge Academy to help nontraditional learners graduate from high school.
- Prospective students and their families can learn more by coming to an Information Day anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Jones Room at the Casey Jones Old Country Store and Restaurant located at 56 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson.
- Ombudsman is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education as a “whole school reform model” provider, and JMCSS is accessing federal Race to the Top monies to fund the program.
For Immediate Release
Jackson, Tenn. (Nov.23, 2010) – Jackson-Madison County School System is partnering with Ombudsman Educational Services to create The Bridge Academy to help nontraditional learners graduate from high school.
Starting Jan. 4, 2011, 60 students from Liberty and Jackson Central Merry high schools will attend The Bridge Academy because they prefer a smaller class size and personalized instruction, require a flexible schedule to meet family or work commitments or wish to recover credits to graduate, Doris Battle, JMCSS deputy superintendent, said. Students will attend one of two four-hour sessions and participate in two-and-a-half hours of work-based learning through employment, internships or community service daily. They will benefit from:
- Small class size and personalized attention;
- A customized academic plan created to meet their specific needs;
- A technology-rich environment that allows students to receive immediate feedback and become familiar with tools they will use in college, trade or vocational school or the workplace;
- Service learning and volunteer projects that will help students explore careers, develop the skills required to secure a job and give back to their community;
- Teacher-led learning activities and small group instruction to help students apply knowledge and enhance their social skills;
- Focused, dedicated preparation for the state’s end-of-course tests; and
- Greater accountability and improved academic results.
“Jackson-Madison County School System understands that students learn differently. The Bridge Academy operated by Ombudsman will help nontraditional students graduate from high school, help improve the district’s graduation rate and support our mission to prepare our students to become tomorrow’s leaders,” Battle said.
Prospective students and their families can learn more by coming to an Information Day anytime between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Jones Room at the Casey Jones Old Country Store and Restaurant located at 56 Casey Jones Lane in Jackson.
Ombudsman Educational Services is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education as a “whole school reform model” provider, and JMCSS is accessing federal Race to the Top monies to fund The Bridge Academy and improve students’ academic outcomes, Battle said.
Ombudsman’s rigorous academic program is aligned with Tennessee standards and is accredited by AdvancED, the unified organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), the organization that accredits Tennessee schools.
Ombudsman students make significant academic gains. Data from the 2009-2010 school year shows that Ombudsman students nationwide advanced 1.5 grade levels in math application, 1.2 grade levels in language mechanics, 1.2 grade levels in spelling, one grade level in vocabulary, one grade level in math computation and nearly one grade level in reading comprehension.
“Ombudsman partners with school districts to provide students an alternate route to a high school diploma,” Mark Claypool, Ombudsman president and CEO, said. “Students receive one-on-one instruction from caring teachers who guide and encourage them to make positive choices about their education. Ombudsman helps students recognize their ability to learn and celebrate their successes so they can achieve their academic and career goals.”
Nationally, 85 percent of Ombudsman students graduate, earn credits or return to their district school closer to or at grade level. Ombudsman has served more than 132,000 students since its founding in 1975 and partners with more than 120 school districts in 18 states. For more information, visit ombudsman.com.
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Resource Links
Jackson-Madison County School System
Website: jmccs.org
Ombudsman Educational Services
Website: Ombudsman.com
Blog: DestinationDiploma.net
Twitter: @OmbudsmanEd
Facebook: facebook.com/OmbudsmanEducation
YouTube: youtube.com/OmbudsmanEducation
For more information:
Jackson-Madison County School System
Doris Battle
Deputy Superintendent
(731) 664-2527
dsbattle@jmcss.org
Ombudsman Educational Services
Ashley Webb
Lovell Communications
(615) 297-7766
ashley@lovell.com
