Even as summer breaks grow shorter, Plante Moran Realpoint continues to help Michigan school districts accomplish more. This year marked a record-breaking summer for our K-12 practice, as our owner’s representatives supported more than 30 districts in completing an unprecedented volume of construction between May and September — overseeing over $400 million in improvements.
From new elementary schools and state-of-the-art athletic facilities to enhanced safety systems and modernized classrooms, our work this summer focused on what matters most: helping teachers teach, students learn, and communities thrive. These projects are more than just construction — they’re investments in the future. They create and improve the environments where students grow, educators lead, and families gather. And they reflect our deep commitment to the communities we live and work in.
While we cannot list them all, here are a few of the projects completed this summer:
- New athletic facilities at Grosse Ile Township Schools, Caledonia Community Schools, and Novi Community School District.
- Several new elementary schools were constructed:
- Portage Public Schools opened two new elementary schools in August. The $36.6 million Central Elementary School, at approximately 77,000 square feet, serves nearly 500 students. The $26.7 million Haverhill Elementary School, at approximately 68,000 square feet, serves around 450 students.
- Caledonia Community Schools opened Dutton Elementary School in August; its approximately 57,000 square feet serves around 360 students.
- Lansing School District opened the new $24.5 million Mount Hope School, which, at approximately 53,000 square feet, serves around 400 students.
- Additions, renovations, and more:
- Grosse Ile Township Schools completed $20.5 million in construction this summer at Grosse Ile Elementary School, giving the entire building a refresh with an 11-classroom addition, a 20,000-square-foot cafeteria addition, and renovations to the existing building.
- Harbor Springs Public School District completed over $10 million in work this summer, benefiting nearly 730 students. The district constructed a band room addition, completed renovations and roofing projects, and invested in equipment and furniture at the high school. The middle school saw similar investments, including a repaved parking lot.
- Many of our clients, including those highlighted above, also accomplished important, although maybe not as exciting, projects such as updating roofs, HVAC systems, and site improvements.
This rapid pace of construction could not have been accomplished without the dedication of many people, including the administrators and staff at the district and the project teams. Their hard work allowed over 200,000 students to enter their new or renovated schools this school year.
As the leading K-12 owner’s representative in Michigan, we’re proud to continue supporting Michigan’s K-12 districts with the service they’ve come to expect from Plante Moran Realpoint. If your district is planning capital improvements, we can help. Learn more about our K-12 services.
