Tiger families:
The 2025-2026 school year is upon us, and we are thrilled to welcome students back!
It has been a summer of change, and although each one seems to feel shorter than the last, we’ve accomplished a great deal in preparation for the year ahead. We’re excited to have hired many new staff members—including 13 new teachers—who are eager to get to know our students, families, and community.
On August 25, high school students will return to many newly renovated spaces, the result of extensive work over the summer. Many classrooms now feature fresh paint, new carpeting, updated cabinets, and improved lighting. A new roof has been installed over the pool, gym, and performing arts center. Despite a weather-related setback, our high school gym will have a new floor by the winter sports season that bursts with Tiger pride. In addition, all classrooms have received new furniture designed to increase comfort and support flexible learning opportunities. Renovations will continue this fall in the 800-numbered rooms wing, followed by a pause before work resumes in the summer of 2026.
Future upgrades will include improvements to the sound and lighting systems in the Performing Arts Center, updates to the media center and cafeteria furniture, renovations to several parking lots, and new flooring throughout all high school corridors.
Progress on Allegan Elementary has also been impressive this summer, and we remain on track to open the new building in fall 2026. After years of planning, it’s hard to believe that the 2025-2026 school year will be our last in the current configuration. We are incredibly excited to bring our elementary students and staff together under one roof, allowing our children to grow and learn together in a single building. We can’t wait to welcome students, staff, and the community into the our elementary once construction progress allows.
If you’ve been following us on social media, you may have noticed a renewed emphasis on student attendance for the upcoming school year. All schools in Allegan County are united in prioritizing improved attendance in 2025-2026. Our data shows a strong correlation between attendance and academic achievement. In fact, all three major school data indicators, achievement, attendance, and behavior, are deeply interconnected. While we may not be able to control every factor that impacts a student’s success, consistent school attendance is the foundation for all other support. We cannot provide academic interventions, help address mental or physical well-being, or replicate missed learning experiences if students are not present. While we still strongly encourage—and at times require—students to stay home when they are truly ill, we also need to build resilience and learn to push through minor discomfort. Making school attendance a top priority is a crucial step toward long-term student success.
I’ve said it before, but this truly is one of my favorite times of the school year. The start of a new year brings unlimited opportunities for growth and achievement.
I remain honored to serve as your Superintendent and want to sincerely welcome everyone back.
