STEUBENVILLE – The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Road to Success program has proven its worth, now celebrating the 500th student who has taken the course and will go on to earn a driver’s license.
Active since September of 2024, Road to Success instructors are based in Steubenville City Schools, the Jefferson County JVS, Toronto City Schools, Harrison Hills City Schools, Buckeye Local, Indian Creek, Edison Local and Carrollton Exempted Village Schools. The program has a broad reach, also serving students who attend online schools and local colleges. the instructors are teachers, coaches, resource officers and other personnel.
New drivers can begin behind-the-wheel lessons at age 15 years and six months.
Road to Success manager Tom Mort said they are adding three instructors, putting the program at 11, with two more expected to meet the rising demand. Word got around quickly as students who took the class told their friends, and others saw their classmates driving and wanted the freedom a driver’s license represents. A student with a license can drive to their own sports practices and other extracurricular activities, as well as more easily find employment.
“That’s how it spreads, because we’ve got a great product,” Mort said. “We’ve built something really, really good here.”
Road to Success stands apart, being set up uniquely to meet students’ schedules and begin preparing them right away.
“The advantage we have is that we’re school-based,” he said. “Our instructors, a lot of them are teachers in the school so the kids are familiar with them.”
A young driver who wants to earn a license can find an instructor readily available.
“We have the same schedule as the kids, and that makes all the difference.”
One recent student was behind the wheel the same day she signed up for the program.
Students are also easily able to ask for details about the rules of the road if they are unsure.
“They’re able to text us. We work through the parents,” Mort said. “Our rate is 100% of passing. Not all pass on the first time, but every single kid who’s gone through our program has their license.”
Mort has worked for a driving school for 17 years. He said an unfamiliar instructor is one of the common anxieties that make beginning drivers nervous.
“They’re scared to death to get into a car anyway, and then you get into a car with someone you don’t know,” he said. “That level of anxiety’s gone, because they’re getting into a car with somebody who’s in their school system or somebody that they know. That’s huge.”
Dr. Nicole McDonald, Road to Success Director and JCESC Director of Grants, is proud of the program. When a student registers, the instructor reaches out to the family to work out when to hold instructions and where to pick them up rather than be tied to a single schedule for all learners.
“We drive when it’s convenient to the driver and it’s convenient for the kids,” she said. “They know these instructors from the schools and they specifically ask for them. That speaks volumes when kids are actively reaching out, calling our school because they know he drives there.”
Road to Success is a 24-hour course with eight hours behind the wheel. Students have 180 days to complete. McDonald added the program has eight cars to work with. They are well-maintained and include safety measures such as a recording system.
“Our inspector comes in and they always say we have the best cars in the state. They’re state of the art,” McDonald said.
Students get experience navigating intersections, entering and exiting highways, driving at higher rates of speed and in other situations including county roads and back roads.
McDonald said there are currently 100 students taking the class online, and an average of 55 students driving, particularly during the summer months.
“I’ve even had some calls of students who’ve taken their online coursework through a different driving school, asking if they could come drive with us and that’s absolutely possible,” she said. “It’s picking up steam. Daily we have kids registering to drive.”
McDonald searches out scholarships and ways to help students pay for the course. The Kara Bright Foundation has provided 140 scholarships. Road to Success has also received the Drive to Succeed grant through the state, which has given 188 student scholarships, meaning 328 out of the 500 students have received free driver’s education.
She said if families are SNAP eligible they can be connected to options to pay for driver’s education.
McDonald noted the program is well-established.
“Every month we’re growing and growing in numbers, and I really do think it’s the convenience. It’s the affordability,” she said.
Mort expects the demand will only grow with changes in state law requiring those younger than 21 to take driver’s education.
McDonald added safety is a priority and instructors are thoroughly vetted with background checks and identification badges when picking up students. They also have a subscription through Ford Pro.
Until the end of August and while supplies last, a free coupon is available for students to take the 24 hours of online coursework. For more details, email roadtosuccess@jcesc.org.
Anyone interested in Road to Success can learn more at participating schools. They can also register at the JCESC website, https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/roadtosuccess.aspx.
