Ombudsman: An Alternate Route

For Immediate Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 19, 2008) -Educational Services of America (ESA) today announced it has signed contracts with 14 new school districts since January, bringing to more than 120 the number of districts nationwide where the company helps at-risk students graduate from high school.

ESA’s Ombudsman Educational Services offers personalized, computer-assisted learning for middle and high school students who would benefit from an alternative learning environment. School districts turn to Ombudsman to help educate their at-risk students and improve graduation rates.

“Students drop out of school for a variety of reasons,” Mark Claypool, president and CEO of ESA, said. “Some students have to work to support their families. Some feel they are too far behind academically to catch up and others sometimes feel like they just don’t fit in at their school.”

“Ombudsman Educational Services provides students an alternate route to earn a high school diploma in a learning environment that’s right for them,” Claypool said. “For many students, the right environment includes personalized instruction in a small classroom setting with flexible schedules that accommodate their family and work responsibilities.”

Since January, 14 school districts have signed contracts totaling more than $7.4 million and will offer the Ombudsman program when the 2008-2009 school year begins. They are:

• Appling County School District in Baxley, Ga.
• Camden County School District in Kingsland, Ga.
• Cartersville City Schools in Cartersville, Ga.
• Cobb County Schools in Marietta, Ga.
• Glynn County School District in Brunswick, Ga.
• Marietta City schools in Marietta, Ga.
• McDuffie County School District in Thomson, Ga.
• Paulding County School District in Dallas, Ga.
• Pierce County School District in Blackshear, Ga.
• Tattnall County School District Reidsville, Ga.
• Walker County School District in LaFayette, Ga.
• Ware County School District in Waycross, Ga.
• Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Ill
• Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 in Waukegan, Ill.

The nationally accredited Ombudsman program has an 85 percent success rate among its student body, meaning students improve their behavior, earn the academic credits they need and graduate.

Ombudsman is a division of Educational Services of America (ESA), the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education.

About Ombudsman Educational Services
Ombudsman Educational Services partners with school districts to provide an off-campus, alternative education program that offers highly personalized, computer-assisted learning for middle and high school students facing a variety of issues including truancy, credit or academic skill deficiencies, social and family challenges or learning/behavioral disorders. These issues frequently prevent them from succeeding in a traditional school setting. Ombudsman Educational Services is a service division of Educational Services of America, the nation’s leading provider of special and alternative educational programs.

Ombudsman Educational Services has partnerships with more than 120 school districts across the country to operate programs this fall. Ombudsman Educational Services learning centers are typically located within the school district they serve, but away from the campuses to minimize social distractions and allow students to focus on their studies. For more information, visit www.ombudsman.com or www.esa-education.com.

About Educational Services of America
Educational Services of America is the nation’s leading provider of K-12 and post-secondary alternative and special education programs for students who are at risk of dropping out of school and for students with behavioral/learning disabilities.

ESA’s leadership and staff are experts in educating children with special needs. ESA operates more than 130 schools and programs serving more than 240 school districts in numerous states and is listed among the Inc. 5,000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. ESA provides highly personalized academic and behavioral services for students through the following divisions: College Living Experience, College Living Prep, Ombudsman Educational Services, ESA Exceptional Schools and Spectrum Center Schools. ESA is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

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, and the Council on Occupational Education. For more information, visit www.esa-education.com.