Kalamazoo Public Schools Board Approves Northglade and Maple Street Magnet School Renovations

KALAMAZOO, MI — Two Kalamazoo Public Schools magnet elementary schools will close next year as the buildings undergo $8.5 million in renovations funded by the 2022 bond measure.

The Northglade Montessori Magnet School at 1914 Cobb Ave. will be closed starting after the 2025-26 school year as the building undergoes $5.7 million in renovations. A smaller $2.8 million renovation project was also approved for Maple Street Magnet School at 922 W. Maple St.

The renovations at both schools were approved at a Thursday, March 19 Kalamazoo Public Schools board meeting.

Students at Northglade will have classes at 3333 S. Westnedge St. while renovations are taking place.

Northglade Montessori Gets Major Makeover

At Northglade, work includes:

  • Installing a new digital marquee
  • Removing a portable classroom
  • Adding a storage addition to the building
  • Replacing the building's exterior windows and facade
  • Replacing interior doors and hardware
  • Replacing the building's HVAC system
  • Adding air conditioning to the building

"The building's exterior windows and facade as well as interior doors and hardware will also be replaced. The building's HVAC system will also be replaced and air conditioning will be added." — MLive.com

Northglade Montessori Magnet School is one of Kalamazoo's most popular magnet schools, drawing students from across the city and surrounding neighborhoods. The school offers a Montessori curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning and student autonomy.

Maple Street Magnet School Improvements

At Maple Street Magnet School, renovations include:

  • Adding a storage room to the cafeteria
  • Installing a new digital marquee on Maple Street
  • Remodeling and expanding the main office complex

The main office complex renovations are needed to expand the office and add a secure vestibule to the building, according to Susan Coney, chief of marketing and communications for KPS.

"The main office complex renovations are needed to expand the office and add a secure vestibule to the building, said Susan Coney, chief of marketing and communications for KPS." — MLive.com

Funding from 2022 Bond Measure

Renovations at both schools are funded by the 2022 bond approved by Kalamazoo voters. The bond measure has been used to fund various school infrastructure projects across the district, including technology upgrades, building renovations, and safety improvements.

Related Safety Project on Howard Street

In addition to the school renovations, the Kalamazoo city commission also voted to proceed with a Howard Street crosswalk overhaul project. The redesigned crosswalk would provide a safer footpath between Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts and the Vine neighborhood.

The new crosswalk design currently includes:

  • Flashing lights to alert drivers to pedestrians
  • A pedestrian island in the middle of Howard Street
  • Reducing part of the road from four to three lanes to encourage reduced speeds

The project has been developed with input from the school district and the Vine Neighborhood Association and is part of Michigan's Safe Routes to School program.

"Concerned residents of Kalamazoo's Vine and Winchell neighborhoods are cheering new possibilities for constructing a crosswalk on Howard Street near Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts. Parents of students at that school said they were blindsided by changes to the plans that came up for a vote at a Kalamazoo City Commission meeting last month." — NowKalamazoo

Dr. Todd Ellis, vice president of Maple Street's Parent Teacher Student Organization, expressed concerns about the original plan:

"Our students deserve a safe way to cross, with beacons that clearly alert drivers to their presence and require them to stop," he said.

The commission voted to approve a contract for the crosswalk, though the plans are still in flux. Work on the project won't begin until next year at the earliest, with much of it funded by federal grants.

Timeline and Impact

The renovations at both magnet schools will impact families in several ways:

  • Students will need to temporarily relocate during the year-long projects
  • The closures begin at the end of the 2025-26 school year
  • Both schools are among the most sought-after magnet schools in Kalamazoo County

The renovations represent a significant investment in Kalamazoo Public Schools infrastructure and will help modernize these popular magnet schools for the next generation of students.

What Comes Next

Kalamazoo Public Schools will continue to communicate with families about the timeline and logistics of the school closures and temporary relocation. The district has previously used temporary classrooms and alternative sites to accommodate students during renovations.

The Howard Street crosswalk project will be jointly funded by Michigan's transportation department and the city, and will be constructed once plans are finalized after further community input.

"We don't have (the plans) finalized and so that's really kind of the goal, to continue to work with the community, to come back to them and say here are all the options," said Public Services Director James Baker. — NowKalamazoo