Orchard View Schools

Orchard View Schools is located in Muskegon Township, just a few short miles east from the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan. The Muskegon River flows thru the northern corner, making our community a desired location for families of all different diversities. Our qualified and dedicated staff serviced over 2,800 students enrolled in our K-12 programs, along with Orchard View Community Services reaching out to over 10,000 individuals in the community with education, leisure, resources and offering a community connection. Orchard View Schools believes in servicing the family as a whole. We provide an environment that promotes problem solving, critical thinking, and encouragement for all to reach their full potential.

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Community Members,

We stand at a unique point in the history of public education – a point at which school reform is greater than it ever has been. Students today live, learn and play in a media and technology-saturated society. Rapid developments in technology have brought many exciting changes to life presenting new challenges for schools.

In the past a learner was a young person who went to school, spent a specified amount of time in certain courses, received passing grades and graduated.  Today we must see learners in a new context: First – we must maintain student interest by helping them see how what they are learning prepares them for life in the real world.  Second – we must instill curiosity, which is fundamental to lifelong learning.  Third – we must be flexible in how we teach using a variety of teaching materials.  Fourth – we must excite learners to become even more resourceful so that they will continue to learn outside the formal school day.

During this transformation, we cannot lose site of the new Student Performance Standards enacted by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).  The new “Cut Scores” represent a significantly higher standard for student achievement and are intended to ensure all students are on track to be successful in a “global” economy.  (Please see “The New Cut Scores” video link on our website. MDE has placed a strong emphasis on “college and career readiness”.  Several years ago, a high school diploma was enough to be successful.  Students must now be able to communicate, function and create change personally, socially, economically and politically on local, national and global levels requiring college and/or career skills.

Orchard View Schools is committed to the continued improvement of teaching and learning.  This year we have expanded middle school and high school honors courses and increased dual enrollment at Muskegon Community College.   The District is focusing on addressing the needs of advanced and accelerated learners and providing academic interventions to assist all students in being level ready at each grade.  Despite the challenges of rapid school reform, increased technology demands, new State Performance Standards and dwindling State funds, Orchard View Schools will strive to provide a safe, supportive environment that encourages academic growth, responsible citizenship and lifelong learning for all of our students.

Yours in Education,

Patricia Walstra