Youngstown Rayen Early College celebrates 20th anniversary

Youngstown Rayen Early College (YREC) celebrated a major milestone Friday morning.

The school hosted a ceremony to celebrate its 20th anniversary of providing educational opportunities for students in the Mahoning Valley.

According to a press release from the Youngstown City School District, YREC is one of under 10 early college initiatives in Ohio and quite a unique one at that.

"While others may be a sole program, ours is an entire school dedicated to providing college preparedness and a pathway to higher education," said YREC principal Monica Jones.

Students at YREC can not only earn a high school diploma but can also earn a tuition-free associate's degree from Youngstown State University. This year 59% of graduating seniors received their associates degrees at YREC.

The opportunity to earn credit hours at YSU as part of curriculum at an open-enrollment school is one Jones says removes barriers to higher education for students. 

"Kids do a four year curriculum in two years, so it is a compressed curriculum, but we have extreme supports," she added.

The school's milestone anniversary was not the only measure of success being celebrated - Rayen also received five stars on the most recent state report card.

"This school has been a beacon in the district, achieving at a high level," YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor said of the achievement.