Nashville, Tenn. (Nov. 21, 2011) -- Educational Services of America (ESA) has appointed long-time educator Ralph M. Thompson as a business development vice president for ESA’s Ombudsman Educational Services division, which partners with more than 160 public school districts in 20 states to provide alternative education programs for dropout prevention and credit recovery.

A veteran teacher and administrator, Thompson held a variety of leadership positions during 33 years of service to Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), Tennessee’s second-largest school district, with 78,000 students enrolled during 2010-11. He served as a middle school assistant principal, an elementary and middle school principal and a high school executive principal. In 2001, Thompson was promoted to director of middle schools for MNPS and he was named administrative director for schools with students in grades nine-12 in 2004. He served as MNPS assistant superintendent of student services until he retired in June. Thompson will work primarily with large, urban districts throughout the country.

“Because of Ralph’s 33 years in a large, urban school district such as Nashville, he has a unique understanding of the challenges facing large school districts and their students,” Mark Claypool, ESA president and CEO, said. “Ralph is a dedicated educator who can help large, urban districts reduce their dropout rates and increase their graduation rates.”

Thompson is a graduate of Tennessee State University (TSU) and is listed on the TSU College of Education Wall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to education. He earned a master’s in administration and supervision from Trevecca Nazarene University. He serves on the boards of the YWCA and several youth organizations and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

About Ombudsman Educational Services:

Ombudsman educates students who have dropped out of school and nontraditional learners who prefer a smaller class size and personalized instruction, require a flexible schedule to meet family or work commitments, or wish to recover credits to graduate.

Nationally, 85 percent of Ombudsman students graduate, earn credits or return to their district school closer to or at grade level. Ombudsman has educated more than 140,000 students since its founding in 1975. For more information, visit www.ombudsman.com.

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