Vertus High School is a non-profit, public charter school serving young men in grades 9-12. Since opening in 2014, faculty and staff have focused on academic success and character development by building strong relationships with students and their families. Each student is part of a small learning team of 12-16 individuals led by a full-time mentor and guide called a Preceptor. “Preceptors have our students’ backs 24/7/365,” said Vertus CEO Julie Locey. “They create a safe and supportive environment where each student has an adult who is responsible for his success.”
2024 Vertus graduate Reggie Pough benefited greatly from this learning environment, which he describes as “life-changing.”
“I had several Preceptors in my four years at Vertus but there was one who stood out—Mr. Geno Allport. He was always there, always listening, always such a good person and role model. You can’t teach that. It was like having a second father. I have to thank Vertus for putting me on a path to do big things with my life.” Pough enrolled at Erie Community College last fall.
Vertus graduation rates—79% in 2024 and 86% in 2023—are one indicator that their approach is working. Much of Vertus’ success can also be credited to their laser-like focus on ensuring regular attendance. “We’ve created a system where we ‘wrap our arms around’ the student and their family and provide whatever resources we can to remove barriers so that every student can receive a quality education,” explained Locey.
Vertus was one of 10 high schools that participated in empathy interviews hosted by ROC the Future Alliance’s High School Graduation Outcome Team (HSGOT). Our empathy interviews are small-group discussions with public and charter school administrators which provide a space to share ideas, challenges, and best practices in order to promote “High School Success.”