Ugur Zengince

Speaking at

• ALL Ohio Conference 2026

  How an Open-Enrollment STEAM School Delivers High-Impact CTE to Every Student

  Wednesday, July 22 · 9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Regent 2

  This session shares the real-world practice of Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School, the first STEAM-designated charter school in Ohio to offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses to all students, not a selected group. Our school operates under a fully open-enrollment model—we do not screen, test, track, or select students for admission or for CTE participation. Every student, regardless of background or prior achievement, has access to CTE coursework, work-based learning experiences, and career exploration. Despite this inclusive approach, the school has earned 4.5 out of 5 stars on the Ohio School Report Card for two consecutive years, demonstrating that strong outcomes and equity-driven access can coexist. In addition, we are actively partnering with Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle School to strengthen vertical alignment between middle and high school CTE programming. This collaboration focuses on introducing structured career exploration as early as 6th grade, ensuring students enter high school with awareness, confidence, and informed pathway interests. We are also prepared to expand this model to additional middle schools in our region that regularly send students to our high school, creating a shared, community-based CTE pipeline. Participants will learn how we designed and implemented schoolwide CTE pathways aligned to STEAM principles, employer engagement (WBL and Internships), and student voice. The session highlights how data-informed decision-making and educator-guided uses of artificial intelligence support student reflection, career planning, and continuous program improvement, without replacing professional judgment or instructional intent. Students (on short videos) will share firsthand experiences of participating in CTE and work-based learning within an inclusive, non-selective environment, offering authentic insight into engagement, leadership growth, and postsecondary readiness. Attendees will leave with replicable strategies, structures, and planning tools adaptable across rural, urban, and suburban contexts.