Community: 2010-2011 Community Profile: Education

Westerville schools prepare students for the real world.

The Westerville City School District has received the “What Parents Want” Award from School Match for 15 consecutive years.

During 2005–2006, Westerville spent approximately $8,608 on each of its 14,300 students, or about 16 percent less than the state average. Having met 26 of 30 state indicators the following year, the district achieved a Performance Index Score of 97.7 and was rated “effective” by the Ohio Department of Education on its 2006–2007 report card.

Approximately 80 percent of Westerville high school graduates go on to attend college.

Westerville City Schools:  Adopt-A-School Program

The Adopt-a-School program, which has been in existence since 1985, is a collaborative program sponsored by the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and Westerville Schools. This partnership program offers an opportunity for a local business and a local school to work together in a collaborative fashion for the benefit of both parties. The long-term partnerships are reciprocal in nature and both the business partner and the school benefit from the relationship.

Founded in 1847, Otterbein is a private liberal arts institution located in the heart of Uptown Westerville.

Otterbein serves 3,100 students in 56 undergraduate majors and more than 600 adult students in continuing studies and master’s programs in business, education, administration and nursing.

The White House awarded Otterbein with the President’s Award for General Community Service in February 2008. Over 50,000 hours have been donated by Otterbein students through the Center for Community Engagement. Approximately 75% of the student body participated in community service in 2008-09, and 92 service-learning courses enrolled 1,135 students that same year.