Lowell Area Schools

Last updated

Lowell Area Schools
Address
300 High Street [1]
, Kent , Michigan , 49331
United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesPreK–12 [2]
SuperintendentNate Fowler [3]
Budget$67,148,000 expenditures 2021-2022 [2]
NCES District ID 2622050 [2]
Students and staff
Students3,436 (2023–2024) [2]
Teachers193.13 (2023-2024) FTE [2]
Staff410.68 (2023-2024) FTE [2]
Student–teacher ratio17.79:1 [2]
Other information
Website www.lowellschools.com

Lowell Area Schools (LAS) is a school district serving Lowell, Michigan.

Contents

In addition to Lowell itself, the school district serves parts of the following townships in Kent County: Ada, Bowne, Cascade, Cannon, Grattan, Lowell and Vergennes. [4] In Ionia County, it serves parts of Boston Township, Campbell Township, and Keene Township. [5]

History

In 1838, Lowell built the first schoolhouse between Grand Rapids and Ionia. In 1862, the town upgraded to a union school, which was organized with a modern grading system. The building had two stories, was made of wood, and had a central cupola with a bell. It was known as the "Old White Schoolhouse." In the 1870s, elementary schools were built in the town and the union school served high school students.

A new Lowell High School was built in 1916. [6] It was located at the southwest corner of N. Monroe Street and King Street. [7] It continued to serve until fall 1963, when it was replaced by a building at 750 Foreman Road. The architectural firm of the 1963 building was Post-McMillen-Palmer. [8] That building became Lowell Middle School when the current Lowell High School opened in 1994. [9] [10] Renovations and several additions were completed at the middle school in 2023. [11]

Schools

List of Schools in the Lowell Area Schools District [2] [12]
SchoolAddressNotes
Lowell High School 11700 Vergennes, LowellGrades 9-12. Opened fall 1994. [13]
Unity Alternative High School300 High St., LowellAlternative high school headquartered at administration building.
Lowell Middle School750 Foreman Road, LowellGrades 6-8. Renovation project completed fall 2023. [14] Formerly Lowell High School. [15]
Alto Elementary School6150 Bancroft, AltoGrades K-5
Bushnell Elementary School700 Elizabeth St., LowellGrades K-1
Cherry Creek Elementary School12675 Foreman Road, LowellGrades 2-5
Murray Lake Elementary School3275 Alden Nash NE, LowellGrades K-5
Yieter Learning Center320 Amity, LowellPreschool
The Wittenbach-Wege Agriscience and Environmental Center11715 Vergennes, LowellNatural sciences center

References

  1. Lowell Area Schools. "Lowell Area Schools" . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Lowell Area Schools". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  3. Lowell Area Schools. "Superintendent" . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  4. Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Kent County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  5. Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Ionia County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  6. LaPonsie, Maryalene (November 3, 2021). "The ABCs of Lowell History: U is for Union Graded School". Lowell's First Look.
  7. Editorial staff of Lowell High School yearbook. 1958 Retrospectus (Lowell High School Yearbook). p. aerial photo p. 1.
  8. "Architects show work". Grand Rapids Press. November 6, 1962. p. 33.
  9. Maliepaard, John M. (June 16, 1994). "Open house at new high school a success". The Grand Rapids Press. p. East section 13.
  10. Editorial staff of Lowell High School Yearbook. Too Much Class 1994 (Lowell High School Yearbook). p. 1.
  11. Smith, Michelle (August 31, 2023). "Lowell Middle School Ribbon Cutting and Open House Draws Crowd". Lowell's First Look.
  12. Lowell Area Schools. "Lowell Area Schools" . Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  13. Maliepaard, John M. (June 16, 1994). "Open house at new high school a success". The Grand Rapids Press. p. East section 13.
  14. Smith, Michelle (August 31, 2023). "Lowell Middle School Ribbon Cutting and Open House Draws Crowd". Lowell's First Look.
  15. Editorial staff of Lowell High School Yearbook. Too Much Class 1994 (Lowell High School Yearbook). p. 1.