Apr 22, 2024 | News
Thanks to the Battle Creek community’s approval of the $44.8 million middle school transformation bond in 2021, BCPS is pleased to announce that the plans to transform Northwestern Middle School into Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, serving grades K-8, are well underway!
Upon completion in fall 2025, Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will boast fully equipped studios for visual and performing arts; a fully renovated K-5 wing; a brand-new welcome center, a digital graphics and video production lab; renovations to the auditorium, gym, and pool; and more.
To make this vision a reality, BCPS has proposed a plan to the school board to temporarily pause school operations at Northwestern during the 2024-25 school year. Pending school board approval, this plan will:
- Allow for the time and space needed to redesign the educational experience and create the school environment our students deserve.
- Allow for sizable construction work over the next year to proceed without interruption.
- Provide added assurance that Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will be launched at 100% completion in the fall of 2025.
In the fall of 2025, Northwestern will welcome students back into the fully transformed Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, offering BCPS students enhanced opportunities to learn through and excel in the arts.
As a part of the proposed plan, BCPS middle schoolers will attend school as follows for the upcoming 2024-25 school year:
- Rising 7th- and 8th-grade Northwestern students will join Springfield Middle School.
Rising 6th-grade students at Valley View and Fremont will attend Springfield as well.
Rising 6th-grade students at Verona and Ann J Kellogg will be hosted in a new, temporary Sixth Grade Academy located in its own wing of Ann J. Kellogg Elementary.
Students currently enrolled in or accepted to attend BC STEM next year will continue to attend BC STEM, as planned.
Understanding that this plan impacts many of our families, BCPS staff and school leaders are here to help families navigate these changes to ensure every student is set up for success. The district will stay in close communication with families and share more information about upcoming information sessions as they are scheduled.
Have additional questions about Northwestern’s transformation into the Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts? View Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here →
Transforming Northwestern into a K-8 visual and performing arts academy is an important step as BCPS continues to create exciting new opportunities for students at every level. We thank our staff, families, students, community, and construction crews for your flexibility as we all work together to provide high-quality, engaging educational experiences for our Bearcats!