OUR COMMITMENT TO
Exceptional Student Education
WHO WE SERVE

WHAT WE BELIEVE
Exceptional Student Education Guiding Principles
We believe all students deserve an exemplary education to achieve at the highest levels. We work hard to make sure that our schools are inclusive, anti-racist, brave spaces where exceptional learners can reach their full potential. We manifest this vision by adding and building capacity within our school communities to be able to:
- Engage a whole-child approach, fostering students’ physical and socio-emotional well-being
- Emphasize grade-level, content mastery for ALL students, including exceptional learners
- Provide timely, data-driven, and empowering support rather than lowering expectations
- Encourage scholars to understand their strengths and advocate for their learning differences
- Inspire students to be lifelong learners by nurturing their unique backgrounds, strengths and abilities
Family Supports (led by our ESE Teachers, Deans of Culture, and social workers/counselors):
PROGRAM DETAILS
We believe that a robust exceptional student education program directly aligns to our commitment to and celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In service of this same commitment, we prioritize inclusion (within the classroom) for our support services.
Within both our Citizens and Preps model, we provide the following student-focused and goal-driven support services:
- English as a New Language (ENL) support
- Counseling
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Hearing services
- Nursing services
We also provide exceptional student education classroom structures: co-teaching, Extension Classrooms (full-time small group instruction), and intervention classes (part-time small group instruction).
Extension Classrooms and full-time small group instruction are provided at Citizens Academy Southeast and Village Prep Cliffs for elementary scholars and E Prep Woodland Hills and Citizens Leadership Academy for middle school scholars.


Our Response to Intervention (RTI) program
- Connects our support services to meaningful student achievement in the classroom
- Ensures a meaningful transition for any new students to the Breakthrough family
- Supplements our classroom curriculum with I-ready
- Supports all students to reach and exceed grade-level literacy and math proficiency

Meet the ese team

Nicole Wolfrom
As I have walked on my educational journey, I have developed a passion for the importance of trauma and the brain and how it affects the daily lives of our students, staff, families, and classroom learning environments. Throughout the last few years, I began to gain more knowledge through research, professional learning, and discussions with my colleagues. In this, I saw just how many of us needed to gain a better understanding of our students. I spent the last two years coaching my fellow educators in the strong belief that all students learn best when a connection and alliance is formed with their teacher. It is the teacher’s responsibility to provide each child a safe environment free from judgement, labels, and bias. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Exceptional Student Education team within Breakthrough Public Schools in hopes of providing the best supports through Trauma Informed Practices, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Social Emotional Learning for all of our exceptional learners.

Mary Perperidis
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Mary grew up in the local community to a large Greek family. Attending church weekly, Mary developed a love of music and singing in the church choir. Mary has used her performance experience and love of music to provide after-school programs to her scholars. Mary has provided intervention services within the school communities in the heart of Cleveland for 11 years, while also mentoring teachers in best co-teaching practices. Mary is proud to be part of the Breakthrough Public Schools Network Academic Team, which cultivates a high-quality education, equitable and accessible to all scholars and families. A longtime member of the Council for Exceptional Children Ohio Board, Mary currently serves as secretary. The CEC provides resources, advocacy, and up-to-date information regarding national and state initiatives. Mary is passionate about serving inner-city students and leading and mentoring intervention specialist teachers in their work to educate in culturally responsive classrooms that foster a love of learning.
ESE AT BREAKTHROUGH
Video Gallery
We work together, and are ready for anything that comes our way. Please enjoy these videos to get a sense of what it is like to be a member of the #BreakthroughFamily.
More About Our Schools
CITIZENS GLENVILLE
12523 Woodside Ave. in Glenville
Near E. 125th & Eddy
We opened our Citizens Glenville location due to strong community demand and support. Our elementary school, Citizens Academy (CA), and our middle school, Citizens Leadership Academy (CLA), are located in the same building.
CITIZENS SOUTHEAST
15700 Lotus Drive
Near Lee & Harvard
Our Citizens Southeast location is our newest K-8. Located in the Lee-Harvard neighborhood, our Southeast Campus is honored to serve scholars from Cleveland and the surrounding neighborhoods.
PREPS CLIFFS
1417 E. 36th St in Asiatown
Between Superior & St Clair
Our founding E Prep & Village Prep Cliffs location opened in 2006, and serves students in grades K-8. Our "Preparatory" schools feature a highly structured, joyful environment with energizing routines and tremendous rigor.
PREPS WOODLAND HILLS
9201 Crane Avenue
E 93rd & Union
Our founding E Prep & Village Prep Woodland Hills is our second Preparatory location, serving students in grades K-8. Our "Preparatory" schools feature a highly structured, joyful environment with energizing routines and tremendous rigor. Woodland Hills is especially helpful in students make multiple years of academic progress in just one year.
PREPS WILLARD
9401 Willard Ave.
Cleveland 44102
Preps Willard is our newest E Prep & Village Prep location, serving students in grades K-8. Our first west side Preparatory Campus, Preps Willard is an exciting, diverse, multicultural learning environment featuring high structure, high energy, and academic rigor.