JCESC Road to Success reaches milestone with 500th student driver

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 2024, Road to Success instructors are based in Steubenville City Schools, the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Toronto City Schools, Harrison Hills City Schools, Buckeye Local, Indian Creek, Edison Local and Carrollton Exempted Village Schools. The program also serves students attending online schools and local colleges. Instructors include teachers, coaches, resource officers and other school personnel.

New drivers can begin behind-the-wheel lessons at age 15 years and six months.

Road to Success Manager Tom Mort said the program is adding three instructors, bringing the total to 11, with two more expected to be added as demand continues to grow. Word spread quickly as students who completed the course told their friends, while others saw classmates driving and wanted the independence a license provides.

A student with a license can drive to 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 because it is designed around students' schedules and allows them to begin preparing for driving as soon as they are eligible.

"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."

Students who want 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 also can easily ask instructors questions about traffic laws and driving rules when 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 one of the common anxieties for beginning drivers is getting behind the wheel with an unfamiliar instructor.

"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, said she is proud of the program. When a student registers, instructors contact families to determine when lessons will be held and where students will be picked up rather than requiring all learners to follow the same schedule.

"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 includes a 24-hour course with eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. Students have 180 days to complete the program.

McDonald said the program currently has eight vehicles available. The cars are maintained regularly and include safety features such as recording systems.

"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 gain experience navigating intersections, entering and exiting highways, driving at higher speeds and handling situations on county roads and back roads.

McDonald said about 100 students currently are taking the class online, while an average of 55 students are participating in behind-the-wheel training, 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 continues to seek scholarships and other ways to help families pay for the course. The Kara Bright Foundation has provided 140 scholarships. Road to Success also received the Drive to Succeed grant through the state, providing 188 student scholarships.

Those programs have allowed 328 of the 500 students who have completed the course to receive free driver's education.

McDonald said families who qualify for SNAP benefits can be connected with additional options to help pay for driver's education.

"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 demand will continue to increase with changes in state law requiring drivers younger than 21 to complete driver's education.

McDonald added that safety remains a priority. Instructors undergo background checks and receive identification badges when picking up students. The program also has a subscription through Ford Pro.

Through the end of August, while supplies last, students can receive a free coupon for the 24 hours of online coursework. For more information, email roadtosuccess@jcesc.org.

Those interested in Road to Success can learn more through participating schools or register through the JCESC website.