Located in the heart of Toledo and established in 1914, the ESC of Lake Erie West is one of the largest educational service centers in the State of Ohio. The ESC of Lake Erie West is part of a statewide network of ESCs in Ohio. Providing services at the local, regional and statewide level, the ESC of Lake Erie West’s mission is to “provide quality resources and services that meet the unique needs of our partners in the educational community”.

At the local level, the ESC of Lake Erie West is affiliated with nine districts in Lucas and Wood counties (Anthony Wayne, Maumee, Oregon, Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg, Rossford, Springfield, Sylvania, and Washington Local. Services to these districts range from direct contracted services (e.g. speech therapists; gifted teachers) to more indirect services (e.g. support, information and professional development on new Ohio education initiatives). The ESC of Lake Erie West also serves as the fiscal agent for 18 private and parochial schools in Lucas and surrounding counties in the administration of their Auxiliary Services Program funding.

On the regional level, the ESC of Lake Erie West is the fiscal agent for State Support Team Region 1 (SSTR1). SSTR1 is one of sixteen State Support Teams in Ohio. The SSTR1 provides services (i.e. tools, resources, technical assistance and high-quality professional development activities) to educators, parents and families in 13 northwest Ohio counties (76 school districts, 39 community schools, 4 career centers, and 8 ESCs ) in the focus areas of school improvement, special education compliance, postsecondary transition, early learning and school readiness, and parent and family involvement.

On the statewide level, the ESC of Lake Erie West is the sponsor of 58 community schools located throughout Ohio. As a sponsor, the ESC of Lake Erie West’s community schools staff is primarily focused on two main areas – compliance with state laws and regulations and promoting a strong academic program at each sponsored school.

Many state programs such as preschool accreditation, community schools, ongoing education, gifted education, public preschool, and others have been piloted through the ESC of Lake Erie West. Board members, staff members, programs, and materials have received local, state, and national recognition for outstanding achievement.

Check out our Upcoming Professional Development Schedule