The parade celebrating Akron Early College High School will follow a new route through downtown Akron on Wednesday, Nov. 5, Akron Public Schools announced, with the procession stepping off at 1 p.m. near the intersection of East Buchtel Avenue and South Main Street, across from 7 17 Credit Union Park, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
From the starting point, participants will walk north along South Main Street and turn west at Bowery Street, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. The route then passes through Lock 4 and ends at Lock 3, where a community celebration will be held.
The parade honors the school’s finish atop Ohio’s traditional public high schools on the most recent state report card, in overall performance that includes student test scores, graduation rate and college and career readiness, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. It is a statewide distinction few schools of any size achieve.
Plans call for Akron Early College’s 400 students, 15 teachers and seven office and support staff members to march, joined by the school’s pep band and by school, district and city leaders, the Akron Beacon Journal reported. The Lock 3 rally is expected to include remarks from Akron Public Schools Superintendent Mary Outley, Mayor Shammas Malik and Principal Tom O’Neil.
Akron Early College High School was established in 2007 as a partnership between Akron Public Schools and the University of Akron, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Located on the university’s campus, the school is designed for first-generation college students, who take college coursework while completing high school.
The route change gives the celebration a fully downtown path, ending at Lock 3, the city’s central outdoor gathering space. Families and supporters who plan to watch along South Main Street or join the rally at Lock 3 should arrive ahead of the 1 p.m. step-off on Nov. 5.
District leaders say the report-card ranking reflects years of work by students and staff at the school. The Nov. 5 parade and rally are open to the community, and the celebration is expected to conclude at Lock 3 following the remarks.