Orchard View Schools

APRIL 2013 STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!

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.

Superintendent Message

Pat Walstra, Superintendent

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Community Members:

The long awaited spring season is finally here in West Michigan. Our OV staff and students have not missed a beat with academic, extracurricular, and athletic activities during the winter season! February and March were celebrated with a number of choir performances at each of our buildings to include the 7th Annual High School Motown and Soul Revue Show. The MARS (Muskegon Area Robotics Students) Team took third place in Traverse City against 39 other teams. Orchard View Middle School received a Michigan Association of School Administrators Winners’ Circle Award for its outstanding and innovative academic credit recovery program.

Several academic initiatives have been put in place to enhance student learning. In addition to honors classes in all of our buildings, Orchard View has seven high school juniors participating in the newly formed Early College Program sponsored by Muskegon Community College (MCC). These students will be earning their high school diploma in conjunction with an Associate’s Degree from MCC. Next year a new group of juniors will be added to the program. The high school has over 100 students taking vocational skills classes at the Career Tech Center. Nineteen students are enrolled in Dual Enrollment courses at MCC as part of their high school experience. Orchard View Schools has also been awarded a JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Grant from Muskegon/ Oceana Michigan Works! to be piloted in the high school for the 2013- 14 school year. JAG is a national model “school-to-work transition program” designed to keep students in school through graduation and help them transition into quality jobs in our community. JAG currently serves 42,000 young people annually, in more than 800 high schools in 33 states. A JAG Specialist will deliver an array of career guidance, employability skills development, job development, and job placement with assistance in academic success.

Great things are happening every day at OV! Despite the legislative challenges of rapid school reform, increased technology demands, new State Performance Standards and reductions in state funds, Orchard View Schools strives to provide a safe, supportive environment that encourages academic growth, responsible citizenship, and lifelong learning for all of our students.

Go Cardinals!