While participating in the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, Ohio parent Maura developed the “Paving the Path: Success in 6th Grade & Beyond” initiative.
Maura created Paving the Path to support students and families during the critical transition from elementary to middle school in Delaware City Schools. Recognizing a drop in engagement and academic performance following the 5th-to-6th grade promotion, the initiative aims to build a stronger bridge between elementary and secondary education through intentional family and community partnerships.
The program’s goal is to sustain a sense of success and belonging for students entering middle school. Aligned with the district’s strategic plan and grounded in Dr. Epstein’s six types of involvement, Paving the Path includes family orientation events, peer mentorship, collaborative summer projects, and improved communication strategies. It also encourages district-wide alignment of expectations and the development of an Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) to ensure long-term sustainability. By fostering early connections, shared ownership, and a welcoming school culture, the initiative prepares students for academic and social success in middle school and beyond.
Parents who attend the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy design projects and create a plan to implement them locally. Want to be inspired by more parent leadership stories or attend the Academy? Visit our Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy page!