Bright Local Schools celebrates grand opening of the Wildcat Learning Center

Bright Local Schools recently celebrated a milestone more than two decades in the making with the official ribbon cutting and opening of the Wildcat Learning Center.

The new center represents the first district-wide facilities advancement at Bright Local in 25 years and is an important step forward in the district’s commitment to creating opportunities for students today while building a stronger future for generations of Wildcats.

“This space represents much more than a new facility,” Superintendent Jason Iles said. “It represents opportunity, partnership, and our commitment to supporting our students and preparing every Wildcat for a successful future.”

At the heart of the Wildcat Learning Center is a collection of programs and partnerships designed to support the whole student—academically, professionally, physically, and emotionally.

The center includes a Workforce Development, College Credit Plus and Remote Learning workspace, led by Mrs. Karie Emery, where students can explore career pathways, develop real-world skills, complete coursework, and prepare for opportunities beyond graduation.

Through the district’s partnership with The Counseling Source, students will also have access to dedicated counseling space and additional resources supporting their well-being and success. Bright Local is grateful to Mrs. Cara Roush, Dave Turner, and the entire Counseling Source team for their continued commitment to Wildcat students.

Another cornerstone of the project is Bright Local’s partnership with HealthSource of Ohio and the opening of a new school-based health center. Bringing healthcare services directly to campus will help increase access for students and families while supporting a simple but essential goal: helping students be healthy, present, and ready to learn. A special thank you to the entire HealthSource Team.

The facility also features a state-of-the-art conference room designed to encourage collaboration among students, staff, families, and community partners. Coming soon, the Wildcat Den Coffee Shop will provide another hands-on learning environment where students can develop workplace, customer-service, and other real-world skills.

Bright Local also extends its appreciation to the Highland County Chamber of Commerce for its continued support of the district and its assistance with the ribbon-cutting celebration.

The Wildcat Learning Center demonstrates what is possible when schools and communities come together around a shared purpose. Bright Local is grateful to its Board of Education, staff, families, community members, and partner organizations whose leadership, support, and hard work helped turn the vision for the center into reality.

While the new building is an exciting addition to the district, its greatest impact will be measured by what happens inside its walls: students discovering career pathways, receiving support when they need it, developing skills through authentic experiences, accessing healthcare and wellness resources, and preparing confidently for their next steps.

“We are proud, we are grateful, and most importantly, we are excited about what this center will mean for generations of Wildcats,” Iles said.

The ribbon has been cut, but the work—and the opportunity—is just beginning.