LORAIN, OHIO — Lorain City Schools is taking a bold step to expand career readiness for its students with the launch of a new STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) program at Lorain High School—making it the only high school in Lorain County to offer such training outside of JVS.
The announcement was made during the March 24 school board meeting, where a school nurse addressed the board during public comment to express her appreciation. “We have about 54 seniors already signed up for the program,” she shared, highlighting strong early interest from students.
The nurse emphasized the significance of this new pathway: while over 100 STNA programs exist across the state, only 22 high schools in Ohio offer the certification. For Lorain High School to join that small group—and to be the first in the county to do so outside of the vocational school system—is a major milestone.
The FasTrack STNA program will prepare students for immediate job opportunities in healthcare by equipping them with the skills needed to become certified nursing assistants. These certifications can open doors to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and even help students pay for future college nursing programs.
Board members and administrators did not discuss the program in detail during the meeting, but the sentiment in the room was clear: this initiative has the potential to change lives.
The launch aligns with Lorain City Schools’ larger push to expand career and technical education (CTE) options that prepare students not just for graduation—but for life beyond the classroom.
The nurse concluded her remarks with a simple but powerful message: “Thank you.”