Beyond the Blueprint: Inside Riverside’s $4.1M Pathway Transformation

Located in Lake County, Ohio, Riverside Local School District serves a suburban student population of approximately 4,100, characterized by a median household income roughly 20% higher than the state average. This community’s commitment to Career Technical Experiences and Exploration (CTX) set the perfect stage for our third Pathways in Motion Road Trip stop.

A Growing Partnership

Riverside’s journey with EnvisionEdPlus began in 2019 at our Operation Graduation Design Lab. Since then, our collaboration has flourished through four major grant projects, securing nearly $4.1 million to support career and college readiness. These funds have been instrumental in reimagining the high school experience, allowing for the design of pre-apprenticeship programs and the integration of industry-recognized credentials directly into daily instruction. Today, every Riverside High School student has the opportunity to graduate with at least 12 points on Ohio’s industry-credential system. This emphasis has resulted in Riverside demonstrating a 965% increase in the number of industry-recognized credentials earned since 2019, nearly double the statewide average.

The CTX Approach: Flexibility Over Funding

During our visit, Assistant Superintendent Melissa Mlakar highlighted the district’s shift toward Career Technical Experience and Exploration (CTX). Unlike traditional Career Technical Education (CTE), which is bound by rigid federal requirements and Perkins V funding constraints, CTX offers a more flexible K-12 continuum.

“The flexibility of CTX outweighs the lack of federal funding,” Dr. Mlakar noted, emphasizing that this model allows students to gain a broad understanding of various careers through academic instruction and hands-on work-based learning.

To support other districts in this journey, Dr. Mlakar shared two foundational tools used to build their eight current CTX programs:

• Course Development Template
• Career Elective Scope and Sequence Template 

Innovation in Action: Student Centered Learning

We toured the impressive new CTX wing, a facility made possible by an Ohio Department of Education and Workforce grant written by EnvisionEdPlus. This wing is a hub of student activity, housing Construction, Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding CTX programs. We also visited one of the two student-led ventures, a school store that has seen over $80,000 in sales this past year. Riverside also has several other CTX programs, including a student-led bistro, sports industry, transportation (drones), and public safety. One of the most impressive features of Riverside’s CTX is the emphasis on allowing students to earn ‘simultaneous credit’. For example, students in the construction program earn elective credits. But since the teacher’s license is in math, as students work through their construction curriculum, they are assessed on math standards, and earn 4 Math credits. This is one of Ohio’s most underutilized flexibility options, and we loved seeing it in action. 

Future Frontiers: Virtual Reality & Roundtable Learning

The visit wrapped up with a look at Riverside’s exciting emerging partnership with Roundtable Learning. By collaborating with this Northeast Ohio-based tech leader—known for its work with giants like Amazon and Walmart—Riverside is bringing transformative training to its students.

A standout feature of this partnership is the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality. While the district does not have a physical forklift on-site, students may soon be able to access industry-focused training programs such as the PIT Trainer XR Forklift experience to prepare for certification. This is just one powerful example of how cutting-edge technology can bridge resource gaps and expand student opportunities.

We are incredibly proud to support Riverside Local Schools as they continue to pave new paths for student success! We would be remiss if we didn’t also recognize that Riverside HS is home to the 2025 Division II state champion softball team. Go Beavers!