Ritenour Center for Educational Excellence

The International Welcome Center (IWC) is a nationally recognized program in the Ritenour School District that provides intensive English language instruction, academic support, and wrap-around services to middle and high school students who are new to the United States. Since its opening in August 2015 as a single classroom at Hoech Middle School, the IWC has grown to serve hundreds of students annually and has helped newcomers successfully transition into their assigned Ritenour schools.

The Ritenour Center for Gifted Education serves elementary and middle school students identified as gifted learners. The center provides an engaging, challenging curriculum that fosters creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. 

Both programs reflect Ritenour’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of its student population through innovative, equity-driven approaches.

The center is named in honor of Julie Hahn, Ritenour’s assistant superintendent for data, intervention and student support.  Hahn, a dedicated educator and administrator, has served the Ritenour and Special School District communities for nearly 40 years. Her commitment to equity and student success laid the foundation for the IWC’s innovative and inclusive approach to supporting newcomer students.

The Janine Milam-Haynes Early Childhood Annex expands Ritenour’s ability to serve more of the district’s youngest learners by offering an additional location for the School for Early Childhood Education. The annex helps address high demand for early learning opportunities, with the potential to eliminate the waiting list and ensure that every Ritenour child has access to at least one year of no-cost early childhood education before entering kindergarten. 

The annex is named in honor of Janine Milam-Haynes, a beloved Ritenour educator who devoted all 27 years of her teaching career to Marion Elementary, where she taught fifth grade in the same classroom throughout her tenure. Her deep commitment to her students, her school community, and the teaching profession left a lasting impact on generations of Ritenour families. Following her passing in November 2023, the district named the early childhood annex in her honor to celebrate her legacy of excellence, compassion, and unwavering dedication to public education.