About Dohn Community High School
We Believe In Ourselves • We Expect Excellence • We Know Late Is Not Acceptable
We Improve Everyday • We Give Effort • We Finish What We Start
Dohn’s Mission Statement
Dohn Community High School is a multi-campus, non-profit school serving high school age and adult students. We deliver continuous progress to a full spectrum of learning needs. We promote community engagement, social development, and career fulfillment following graduation.
The Beginning
Around the turn of this century, “Y2K”, public schools had a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Students suffering with these addictions had nowhere to go for education. In 2001, Kate Bower, a local educator, stepped in and created Dohn Community High School as an addiction recovery program for high school students.
In recovery herself, Ms. Bower experienced first-hand the power of turning a life around. Motivated deeply by her recovery, she named our school after her sponsor, Blanche Dohn. Also an educator, Ms. Dohn advocated for those suffering with issues of addiction, particularly youth. This compassion-based resilience over serious social challenges lives on in our thriving charter school today.
Superintendent Bower secured the purchase of our Main Campus building from the City of Cincinnati. Financing was tight the first few years, but with tenacity and perseverance, the Board was able to secure funding to keep the doors open.
In 2007 Kenneth Furrier became Superintendent. Under his leadership, attendance grew, teachers stayed and finances stabilized. Since it’s founding, Dohn had evolved from an addiction-recovery school to a credit-recovery school, geared to students who were unable to succeed at traditional public schools.
In 2009, our current Director, Ramone Davenport, came on board as Assistant Principal, and soon after that, Director. Under Mr. Davenport’s unprecedented leadership, our school has grown exponentially – from one building and 50 students in 2009 to 11 Campuses and almost 2000 students today! Teacher retention is solid and the number of staff has doubled in the last few years to total almost 150; graduation rates have met or exceeded Ohio Board of Education standards for almost a decade.
Dohn Career Center
Students learn skills and earn certification in trades while they simultaneously earn their high school diploma. This dual achievement sets them up for employment in a better job market, to earn a living wage in a career they enjoy.
Current trades offered are: Construction (Carpentery, Electric, Plumbing, HVAC), Cosmetology, Barbering, STNA & Patient Care Technician, Culinary Arts.
Dohn Prep Fitness Academy
Students learn skills and earn certification in trades while they simultaneously earn their high school diploma. This dual achievement sets them up for employment in a better job market, to earn a living wage in a career they enjoy.
Current trades offered are: Construction (Carpentery, Electric, Plumbing, HVAC), Cosmetology, Barbering, STNA & Patient Care Technician, Culinary Arts.
KTMIS – Keeping Teen Moms In School
KTMIS provides both expectant and young mothers with support while in school. Students in this program receive help with childcare, diapers and other supplies. Along with their regular classes, they also attend parenting classes with a special focus on early literacy, practice self-care, and learn important life skills.
Special Education Department
Dohn’s Special Ed Department is a service open to all students who qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Students with a varied spectrum of needs receive the attention of Intervention Specialists and have access to additional education materials and sensory equipment to assist in their academic and behavioral development.
Success Program
A self-paced program designed for students between 18-21 who need credits to earn their high school diploma.
Transition Program
A self-paced program designed for students between 18-21 who need credits to earn their high school diploma.
22+ Program
Adult learners work with certified teachers to earn their high school diplomas. This program is for Ohio residents over the age of 21.
COTA
For the 2023-2024 School year, Dohn is introducing its latest venture: the Cincinnati Ohio Technology Academy (COTA). With the addition of 7th and 8th graders (COTA Junior High), 9th and 10th grades (COTA JV) and 11th and 12th graders (COTA Varsity) will all receive the traditional core education with a specific focus on learning technology. Each student will have their own ChromeBook and learn about programming and coding, use Google Classroom and Microsoft Word, and take STEM classes. Upperclassmen will have the opportunity to take College Credit Plus courses.
Our Funding
The bulk of Dohn’s funding comes from the State of Ohio Foundation payments based on enrollment and attendance. While enrollment keepis growing, attendance remains an issue. There is a transient nature to Dohn students’ lives. They live at or below the poverty line, have chronic exposure to violence, food insecurity, the absence of solid adult supervision, and fragile state of housing means that regular attendance is a challenge. Dohn’s leadership created a ‘Life Coach’ department whereby staff makes home visits when they miss two consecutive days away from school.
Dohn has an active and effective Marketing and Development Department through which funding from individual donors, foundations, and corporations are made. These donations and grant awards help Dohn supplement the State funding and allow us to purchase needed and valued extras, ranging from toiletry kits to technology purchases, clean clothes to cultural excursions.
Dohn Community High School will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2026. We are proud of our unprecedented longevity and continue to Make a Difference in the lives of Cincinnati’s youth.