Ohio Awards Over $20 Million in Grants to Expand High-Performing Community Schools

Ohio Awards Over $20 Million in Grants to Expand High-Performing Community Schools

Release date: 9/11/2026

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced the award of $20.7 million in grants to expand access to high-performing public community schools across Ohio.
 
The funding includes $6.4 million through the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program Grant to support four schools in expanding existing models or establishing new schools. In addition, nine community schools will receive a total of $14.3 million in Charter School Facilities Incentive Grants to upgrade or expand their facilities. Both grants are part of a five‑year, $100 million initiative that will be distributed in three competitive funding rounds.
 
The U.S. Department of Education first announced plans to invest in community schools in Ohio during a visit by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon last September.
 
“Ensuring all students have access to high-quality learning environments is an essential part of Ohio’s commitment to helping students live up to their God-given potential,” said Governor DeWine. “These investments build upon that commitment by giving more families the opportunity to select the educational option that best meet the needs of their child. I want to thank Secretary McMahon for visiting Ohio and for recognizing the importance of expanding access to high-quality community schools.”
 
“The foundation to effective school-family partnerships is making sure families have access to the educational environment that works best for their child,” said Director Dackin. “Today’s announcement is an important step to ensuring families have a voice in their child’s education, and giving more students the opportunity to explore, discover, and embark on a path to a successful future.”

Charter Schools Program Grant Subgrant Recipients

DEW’s application to the U.S. Department of Education for the 2025 Charter Schools Program Grant prioritized serving students in regions with limited access to quality school options, including those in rural communities, areas with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, schools offering innovative models, and those serving grades 9-12.  

Expanding Community Schools

Explorers Academy of Science and Technology, Toledo (Lucas County) will expand to serve grades K-12, creating 200 additional seats over two years.
 
Towpath Trail High School, Akron (Summit County), a Dropout Prevention and Recovery school, will add a satellite campus in Youngstown focused on workforce pathways in construction, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and business.

New and Replicating Community Schools

North Bend STEM Academy, Cincinnati (Hamilton County) will open a K-5 school focused on STEM education in Cincinnati, with plans to expand to grades K-8.  

Forward Girls Leadership Academy, Twinsburg (Cuyahoga County) will open a community school focused on public leadership for girls in grade 9. It will expand to include grades 10-11 during the grant period, with plans to ultimately offer grades 9-12.

Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant Subgrant Recipients

During the first year of the Charter School Facilities Incentive Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, DEW is awarding $14 million in subgrants to support facility improvements, expansion, and other capital needs at the following schools:

• Educational Academy for Boys & Girls, Columbus (Franklin County)
• Explorers Academy of Science and Technology, Toledo (Lucas County)
• Horizon Science Academy Columbus, Columbus (Franklin County)
• Horizon Science Academy Elementary School, Westerville (Franklin County)
• Horizon Science Academy Dayton, Dayton (Montgomery County)
• Horizon Science Academy Springfield, Toledo (Lucas County)
• Menlo Park Academy, Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)
• Patriot Preparatory Academy, Columbus (Franklin County)
• Unity Academy, Columbus (Franklin County)

Additional funds will be awarded in future rounds of these grants.
 
Learn more about community schools in Ohio on the Department's community schools webpage.