SALINEVILLE — The Utica Shale Academy has welcomed more students into the fold for the 2024-25 school term with the addition of its junior high program.

About 25 students in grades 7-9 are enrolled this year, making the school’s overall total around 130. The program includes blended learning for grades 7-12 with the underclassmen focusing on career exploration before obtaining a more hands-on education as sophomores. The seventh- and eighth-grades are lodged at the Williams Collaboration Center in Salineville, which includes classrooms, administrative offices and more programming in partnership with Youngstown State University to expose the junior high students to career-tech opportunities.

It provides medical services with certified health workers and licensed therapeutic behavior support counselors from organizations such as COMPASS 247, Avis Drug-Free World and Alta. Grades 9-12 are housed nearby at the Hutson Building and all students undergo a blend of online education through the Virtual Learning Academy by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center with hands-on learning in various trades. Courses include megatronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, AC/DC electric, programmable logic controllers, diesel mechanics and horticulture to train both students and adults. Additionally, the campus features an outdoor welding site along East Main Street as well as the Utica Shale Academy Community Center on Church Street that includes a gym and community services.

Assistant Superintendent Laura Krulik said the change has been relatively smooth and students appear to be acclimating well to their new environment.

“The junior high kids are excited about some of the flexibility and freedom they have here and they are working with career-tech teacher Matt Gates and classroom teacher Mariah Hart. They hope to get through the exploration and safety procedures, so once they get to (high school level) they can get ready for the workforce.”

The students follow a structured schedule like a traditional school, plus they learn time management and split classes with Gates on career exploration and National Coalition of Certification Centers certification and Hart, who facilitates online lessons through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s Virtual Learning Academy and teaches employability skills. Hart is a certified health worker and tutor and provides further assistance to meet the pupils’ needs. Students may work in groups or one-on-one with an adult to complete their academic lessons and also focus on living skills.

Gates said there has been a lot of interest among junior high students in specific trades and they complete introductory assignments into all of the career paths to see if any others appeal to them.

“We have received mostly good feedback, and they love the virtual welding machines and the special projects they partake in with me to see where they are at with their hands-on skills,” he continued. “With regards to all of the students, they ask why they have to learn about safety, so I try to make it as fun as possible show them some videos on workplace safety and what can happen if you’re not safe.”

“I think it’s going very well,” added Hart. “With the new opportunities come new challenges, and they are adjusting very well to the online curriculum and the new setting. I have had several kids successfully complete their career-based credentials. They have really enjoyed working on the virtual welders as well as the online learning.”

Students dine in a cafeteria in the lower level of the Williams Building with food prepared by Nutrition Inc., and students in grades 10-12 work at the Hutson Building, the Energy Training Center or welding facility down the street. Finally, positive behavior interventions and supports sessions occur at the end of the day. Krulik said they also learn relationship-building skills and socialization, creating relationships with each other in the classroom, while other ideas are to integrate Junior Achievement programs with free lessons on business and entrepreneurship.

“Our goal is when kids go to [the high school] program, they have already had the prerequisites. When they get into 10th grade, they are ready to step into labs and do hands-on work and later we can get help them obtain jobs,” she noted. “If they can get a job before they graduate, the career-tech teachers can act as job coaches so they are prepared to go to work.”

Seventy-five percent of the graduates leave with competitive employment or are enrolled in a career-tech program, college or are in the military. She said recent graduates have even visited and shared their experience, not only about what they’ve learned at USA but the ability they’ve gotten to land employment.

“These moments where the kids come back and show their appreciation is really awesome to see. It’s nice for kids in school to see the ones who graduated and are finding success,” Krulik said. “USA gives kids the opportunity to get a job and make a living wage and the staff should be recognized for the work they’ve done to help. They’re really doing a lot for the kids.”

Meanwhile, Dean of Students Carter Hill said feedback from parents and students alike has been positive.

“Enrollment is continuing to increase and the kids are eager to get into a new atmosphere,” Hill added. “We hear often from parents that this is the first time their students are excited to go to school. That’s a credit to Mariah Hart, Michelle Hart and Matt Gates for making it an exciting place to come to.”

Students said the transition has been relatively smooth and they were learning a lot at USA.

“It’s really cool,” said eighth-grader Sylis Howell, who was interested in welding.

“I like it,” added seventh-grader Ford Lally. “I like welding but want to go for diesel mechanics.”

“I like that I can do welding or machines. It’s something different,” said freshman Jeff Fluharty. “I can be around people and have social interaction with students.”

“It’s different and I like it a lot,” added freshman Matthew Brannon, adding that he gets to work at his own pace.

USA is a dropout recovery-and-retention school focusing on career-tech education for at-risk students who have obtained more than 1,100 certifications and has graduated 150 pupils since 2021. For information, call (330) 679-2000 or go online to uticashaleschool.com.