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About Ombudsman

Vision and Mission
We believe all students have value, can learn and can develop their inherent talents to become contributing members of society.

Our mission is to provide personalized, evidence-based educational services for nontraditional learners in collaboration with families and public school districts.

About Ombudsman
According to the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET), a child drops out of high school every nine seconds. Ombudsman's alternative school programs help communities combat the staggering social and economic costs of high dropout rates. Since 1975, Ombudsman Educational Services has provided more than 140,000 at-risk students and students who have previously dropped out with an alternate route to graduation – and to all the opportunities a real high school diploma provides.

Ombudsman students are at risk of not graduating because they may have missed too many school days, lack credits, or have academic challenges or adult responsibilities that keep them from being successful in a traditional classroom environment.

Students benefit from computer-assisted instruction and teacher-led instruction while following customized academic programs that are aligned to state standards. Ombudsman's comprehensive programs provide the academic, emotional and behavioral support students need to be successful in the classroom and in life after high school. 

Partnering with School Districts
Many public school districts partner with Ombudsman to provide alternative programs for dropout prevention and credit recovery. Nationwide, 85 percent of Ombudsman students graduate, earn necessary credits or return to their district school closer to or at grade level. This number is significant, as many of Ombudsman students are considered at risk when entering the program.

When Ombudsman students are coached in the value and rewards of accountability for their academic performance, many experience success and report self-confidence for the first time, even if they have been unsuccessful in past academic endeavors. This renewed sense of confidence contributes to improved dropout and graduation rates for Ombudsman’s district partners and the states in which they operate.

To learn more about how Ombudsman works with public school districts, please visit our School Districts and Educators page.

Locations
Ombudsman partners with more than 130 public school districts in 20 states to operate more than 140 schools and programs.

For information about Ombudsman programs in your state, please click on your state on the Locations page.  

About Educational Services of America
Ombudsman Educational Services is a division of Educational Services of America (ESA), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 alternative and special education schools and programs. Based in Nashville, Tenn., ESA partners with more than 240 public school districts in 22 states and the District of Columbia to operate more than 170 schools and programs. ESA provides highly personalized academic and behavioral services to 12,000 students each year though its Ombudsman and Spectrum Center divisions