Olentangy Schools and BridgED, a consulting company developed to “bridge the gap” between K-12 school districts and the business community, have announced their continued partnership in driving business engagement across schools through May 2024. “Olentangy is proud to focus on the strategic-plan goal of expanding community involvement and partnerships by piloting a program that creates opportunities for impact in workforce development, internships and hiring, philanthropic giving and scholarships,” stated Olentangy Schools Superintendent Mark T. Raiff. “These opportunities ultimately aid in student success and defining paths forward.”
In this joint venture, Olentangy Schools has deepened their commitment to maximizing student opportunities through corporate partnerships by piloting the program with five businesses: Honda Motor Company, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Elford Construction, Worthington Industries, and JPMorgan Chase.
Examples of the activation and engagements in the Olentangy: BridgED program include Worthington Industries hosting a “manufacturing day” for Olentangy teachers, Elford Construction employees sharing opportunities in construction with Liberty High School classes, and Worthington Industries employees speaking to Berlin High School business students about college accounting majors and career paths. Olentangy’s Parent Academy also held a “State of the Central Ohio Workforce” event with a panel of representatives from all five companies, with a press conference for high school journalism students to ask questions of the panel. All engagements are designed to drive awareness, access and understanding of career paths for students, teachers and parents.
“BridgED has innovated a K-12 specific process for districts to deploy when partnering with companies,” said Christy Bertolo, Co-Founder of BridgED. “We understand the power and synergies that ensue when companies and academia collaborate.” Olentangy: BridgED was formed through an inaugural partnership between BridgED, the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) and Olentangy Schools. The ESCCO funded the first six months of the program, which began in summer of 2022, and an additional 18-month agreement will be supported by the ESCCO and Olentangy Schools. “When schools and community organizations work together to support learning, everyone benefits,” shared ESCCO Superintendent Tom Goodney.
Olentangy: BridgED will expand with the addition of ten more corporate partners in early 2023.
### Olentangy Schools is the fourth largest school district in the state of Ohio with 27 schools, located predominately in Delaware County. Olentangy’s mission is to facilitate maximum learning for every student. BridgED is a consulting company developed to help “bridge the gap” between K-12 and the business community. BridgED has a proven playbook and process for K-12 districts to implement when building and developing relationships with industry to enhance student experience. They accelerate the corporate engagement efforts, develop the workforce, increase internships and hiring, boost philanthropic giving (scholarships), and help students define their path forward.
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