The Stark County Educational Service Center (Stark County ESC) is the shared-services agency that supports public school districts across Stark, Carroll, Summit, and Tuscarawas counties. If you are a parent managing special education services, a homeschool family, a teacher seeking licensure help, or a community member trying to understand how local schools operate, the Stark County ESC is a central resource. This guide covers their location, services, how to access help, and who qualifies for each program.
Founded in 1914 when the Ohio Legislature established county boards of education, Stark County ESC now serves 15 local school districts, 6 city school districts, 1 exempted village, and 1 career center — reaching over 60,000 students across Northeast Ohio. The ESC does not operate schools directly. Instead, they provide shared services that individual districts would struggle to staff alone: school psychologists, speech pathologists, special education classrooms, preschool programs, curriculum development, and professional development for teachers.
Location & Contact Information
Stark County Educational Service Center
6057 Strip Avenue NW, North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 492-8136
Fax: (330) 492-6381
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST
Website: starkcountyesc.org
The ESC building sits in the Strip area of North Canton, near the I-77 Portage Street exit (Exit 111). The facility is in the Advanced Technology Center. Visitors typically need to check in at the main reception — most services require appointments, though general inquiries can be handled at the front desk.
For general questions about which staff handles what, call the main number. Specific department extensions (administration, treasurer, curriculum, fingerprinting, early childhood, student services) are available from reception. If you need to find a specific person, their website's "Contact Us" page lists department heads by area.
Core Services at Stark County ESC
The ESC operates across several main service areas:
Special Education Services: The ESC provides special education classrooms for students whose home districts cannot offer appropriate programming. This includes Emotional-Behavioral Disability (EBD) Programs, Multiple Disabilities (MD) Programs, and Integrated Preschool (SCIP). Students attend through their home district — parents do not enroll directly. If your child needs more specialized services than their home district provides, the IEP team (including ESC staff) will discuss ESC placement as one option.
Early Childhood & Preschool: The ESC runs integrated preschool programs serving both typical-developing and special needs children. The Help Me Grow CARE Teams program connects families with infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) to early intervention services when developmental concerns are identified. Services are free or low-cost for families who qualify.
Professional Development & Curriculum: Teachers receive ongoing professional development through ESC. The Stark County Master Teachers program recognizes accomplished educators. Districts purchase professional development time from ESC to handle state-required training efficiently. The ESC also provides curriculum development services, particularly for smaller districts that cannot afford full-time curriculum coordinators.
Teacher Certification & Licensure: The ESC assists Ohio teachers with license applications, renewals, and endorsements. Staff can help follow the state's licensure system and answer questions about continuing education requirements.
Fingerprinting Services: Teachers, coaches, and others needing background checks for school employment use the ESC's fingerprinting services. Both Ohio BCI and FBI background checks are available. Appointments recommended.
Home Schooling Support: Parents homeschooling children in Stark County can access ESC resources for curriculum advice, assessment options, and required annual reports to the superintendent of their resident district. The ESC cannot excuse homeschooling requirements but can help families follow them.
Student Services: School psychologists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists are shared across districts through ESC contracts. If your child receives these services at their public school, chances are the provider is an ESC employee.
How Parents Use ESC Services
Most parents encounter the ESC indirectly — through services provided at their child's home school. A school psychologist conducting evaluations, a speech therapist running sessions, a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom — these are often ESC employees working in local districts.
Parents directly interact with ESC in several situations:
Special education placement: If your child's IEP team discusses ESC-run special education programs, you may visit the ESC site, meet teachers, and decide together whether the placement fits your child's needs.
Early intervention (birth-3): If you have concerns about your infant or toddler's development, contact Help Me Grow through the ESC. Initial screenings are free and do not require a medical referral. If delays are identified, services start quickly.
Homeschool registration: Ohio homeschool families register annually with their resident district superintendent. The ESC provides guidance on required paperwork, assessment options, and curriculum planning.
Enrichment programs: Programs like Artful Living and Exceptional Olympics serve students across multiple districts. Families with gifted or special needs children sometimes participate in these enrichment opportunities directly through the ESC.
School Districts Served
The Stark County ESC provides services to 22 school districts serving over 60,000 students. Districts include Alliance City, Canton City, Canton Local, Fairless Local, Jackson Local, Lake Local, Louisville City, Marlington Local, Massillon City, Minerva Local, North Canton City, Northwest Local, Osnaburg Local, Perry Local, Plain Local, Sandy Valley Local, Sebring Local, Tuslaw Local, and others in Carroll, Summit, and Tuscarawas counties. The R.G. Drage Career Technical Center is also included.
Each district has different relationships with the ESC — some purchase extensive shared services, others only use specific programs. Parents should ask their district what ESC services their student uses.