Three High School Options for Grades 8-12 This Fall
Several months ago the Board of Education and Superintendent Davis committed current and future sinking fund dollars to the Phase I development of Holland New Tech in a re-opened and renovated Longfellow School. Holland New Tech will start this fall with approximately 200 students, split evenly between 8th and 9th graders.
"This step gives us a small insertion point for 21st Century learning in our district," said Superintendent Brian Davis. "This gives us a new delivery model as well as another option for students and parents. We'll grow this program slowly and evaluate what New Tech practices may be good to bring into our other schools."
Davis stressed that the investment at Longfellow for the New Tech program does not take away the need for the upcoming building bond proposals. He gives this example, "Imagine our entire district as one huge 50 year-old house. We have two floors with many rooms, a basement, and a garage. Every place you look, there are items requiring immediate updates and repairs. But our facility budget only allows us to properly remodel one of the bedrooms. This is exactly what we are doing. We're choosing to invest in the Phase I renovation of Holland New Tech even though we know we won't be able to update our other schools unless we have our bond requests approved."
Holland High School will continue to offer traditional, honors, and AP programs on campus along with a host of extracurricular activities and athletics. Holland High will serve about 850-1000 students, grades 8-12.
Students enrolled at Holland New Tech at Longfellow will take part in core curriculum technology-driven, project-based learning on location, but take electives and participate in extra-curriculars at Holland High. Holland New Tech will offer a proven educational model in conjunction with the National New Tech Network. Holland High will serve as the hub.
VR Tech at the former Van Raalte Elementary is in its first year and has seen consistent student growth (achievement and numbers!) by offering credit recovery and GED prep classes through a computer-based learning lab platform.
"I believe our community can be proud of this secondary school line-up," said Davis. "We're positioned to be more efficient and effective. Our bond proposals, if approved, will allow us to keep moving forward."
