Steubenville Schools’ STARS Program a Success in Its First Year, Officials Say

It has been one year since the Steubenville STARS program began to help integrate students with disabilities into the school community, and leaders said the pupils have prospered.

The program, which stands for Supporting Transitions, Abilities, Resilience and Success, is based at Steubenville High School and has 40 students in grades Pre-K-12 who are not only learning educational skills but forming peer relationships and thriving in a school setting.

Principal Jaclyn Walters said STARS includes a preschool unit, elementary unit for grades K-1, intermediate unit with grades 2-4, middle school unit for grades 5-8 and high school unit for grades 9-12. Additionally, there is a sensory room to service students’ needs as well as teachers, therapists and paraprofessionals to provide support, an