Ombudsman: An Alternate Route

TUCSON, Ariz. (Jan. 9, 2008) – Two charter schools will open in Tucson this August to give middle and high school students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out an alternate route to earn a diploma, it was announced today.

Ombudsman Charter Schools will offer an accredited program of personalized, computer-assisted learning for students who would benefit from an alternative learning environment, including students who have been suspended or expelled or have severe attendance issues. The schools will be located at 150 N. Pantano Rd., near East Broadway in east Tucson, and at 1686 W. Valencia Blvd., near South Midvale Park Road in south Tucson. The charter schools are funded by the state and students attend free of charge.

“We believe all students have the ability to earn a diploma if they are given the right instruction in the right environment,” Binky Michele Jones, Ombudsman Charter Schools director, said, “The new Ombudsman Charter Schools in Tucson will provide an option for students who are in danger of not earning a high school diploma for any number of reasons. They may be behind in their studies, they may have had to leave school to work or they may feel like they just don’t fit in at a traditional school.

“Since 1975, Ombudsman’s self-paced, individualized curriculum and flexible hours have helped more than 100,000 at-risk and special needs students achieve academic success,” Jones said.

Students in grades six through 12 living in any Tucson area school district – Amphitheater Unified School District, Catalina Foothills School District, Flowing Wells School District, Marana Unified School District, Sunnyside Unified School District, Tucson Unified School District, Tanque Verde School District and Vail Unified School District – are eligible to enroll. A referral from the school district is not required.

Parents and students who want information about enrolling in Ombudsman Charter Schools may call 877-4-ADIPLOMA (877-423-4756) toll-free or email Oes-info@esa-education.com. Students may enroll online at www.ombudsman.com/enroll.

Accredited, Successful Program
Ombudsman serves approximately 600 students at six charter schools in Phoenix. The schools achieved AZ Learns ratings of Performing or Performing Plus every year since 2004 and reported that 94 percent of students who were eligible graduated in 2007.

“We’re very proud of the students who graduate from Ombudsman Charter Schools,” Jones said. “As students achieve academic success, they tell us their self-esteem improves, their behaviors improve, their overall perception of school improves and they feel better about their opportunities for the future.”

About Ombudsman Educational Services
Ombudsman was established in 1975 and is a division of Educational Services of America (ESA), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 and post-secondary alternative and special education programs. ESA is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and operates more than 120 schools and programs in numerous states. It is listed among the Inc. 5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.

ESA is accredited by The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA), an international alliance of premier accrediting organizations including the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Council for Private School Accreditation and the Council on Occupational Education.

For more information, visit www.esa-education.com or www.ombudsman.com.