TOLEDO, Ohio -
Last year only 63 percent of Toledo Public School seniors graduated high school.
Now, students who slipped through the cracks have another shot at getting a degree.
TPS is teaming up with Owens Community College for a national program, aimed at getting high school dropouts back in the classroom. It's called the Gateway to College.
James Jackson from Owens Community College says, "We don't prohibit students from participating because grades were low, we believe in them."
Here's how it works: Students between the ages of 16 to 21 who've dropped out of high school or are in danger of not graduating can enroll in classes at Owens for free, earning both high school and college credit at the same time.
Tamara Williams, Asst Vice Provost at Owens Community College says, "When you look at our community there are so many needs and there is not a one size fits all. What this program does is it transforms lives and communities."
Leaders hope the grant-funded program encourages students to pursue a career and boosts the district's graduation rate.
"There are a lot of young men and women in our community that can do that, we just have to find them and get them on board," said TPS Superintendent Dr. Jerome Pecko.
But the challenge is connecting with students who've already left school. The hope is that the program will act as a marketing tool and that when students and their families see the successes of those involved in Gateway to College, they'll be inspired to tell others about the program.
Owens is using a $325,000 grant to pay for the pilot program.
About 150 TPS students will be able to take the courses for free. Enrollment kicks off this week for interested students.
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