The Power of Poetry: Schooled on Poetry Empowers Columbus Students

Schooled on Poetry is a spoken word poetry showcase and educational initiative that brings together young poets, educators and community members in Columbus. Throughout the year, selected middle and high schools in the Columbus area host poetry workshops that guide students through writing and performing their artwork.

The program was built to help students find ways to express themselves through passion, writing and creativity. There are students who do not feel motivated or supported in the classroom, which can lead to behavioral issues and poor academic performance. For some, this program is the first time they feel heard in an academic setting and have the opportunity to share their work in front of an audience.

Peter Kahn, founder of Schooled on Poetry, does not simply measure the success of the program by performances or competition, but by the impact spoken poetry has on students. “You have teachers that will say, ‘This kid never spoke in class, and now they’re up in front of all these people. This kid gets in a lot of trouble, but they’re taking this really seriously. Or this kid has found something therapeutic for them to do, and they seem to be in better spirits and concentrating more,’” Kahn said.

Kahn said former students have gone on to careers in comedy, music and leadership after experiencing the power of poetry. One student became the National Youth Poet Laureate and now tours around the world as a singer-songwriter. Another performs stand-up comedy professionally and has appeared on popular television shows such as “Abbott Elementary.” This impact highlights how powerful spoken word poetry can be for current students as they transition into adulthood.

This past year, Kahn has worked with Columbus Africentric Early College High School, as well as Licking Heights and Wedgewood Middle Schools. This was part of a collaboration between The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, the Vice Provost for the Arts, the Arts & Sciences Office of Engagement, and the Department of English. There was also additional support provided by the Mellon Foundation through Ohio State’s Spark Grant program. Partnerships like The Ohio State University’s have helped to expand access to creative writing and spoken poetry across Columbus schools, allowing students to feel a part of something meaningful. “Ohio State has been extremely supportive. They’ve been very welcoming of this programming and very supportive of it. We wouldn’t be doing it without them,” Kahn said.

Schooled on Poetry continues to expand and impact more students across Columbus. For many students, this program is more than just an assignment — it is a creative way to process emotions, build confidence and find community.
Kahn said, “The hope is to expose students, teachers and the community at large to the transformative power of spoken word poetry.”

The Schooled on Poetry showcase will take place Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets are free for students and educators, with general admission available for purchase.