Northwestern Academy of Visual & Performing Arts

Courtney Shorter has a strong background in performing arts and deep love for Battle Creek Public Schools.

A lifelong Bearcat, she excelled in baton twirling in her youth and served as the majorette for the “Pride of the State,” the Battle Creek Central marching band. After graduating in 1998, she returned to her alma mater to teach dance to elementary students before eventually becoming a dean and principal.

Now, Shorter is picking up the proverbial baton at the revamped Northwestern Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, leading the K-8 school by serving as principal when it opens in the fall of 2025.

“The arts have just been a part of my family’s life in so many ways. This opening of the school is a dream come true,” Shorter said. “I'm loyal to Battle Creek Public Schools. I've been here my entire life, since I was 5 years old. And I want everybody to know that I am thrilled and just so excited for this opportunity, and I will not let people down.”

The former Northwestern Middle School at 176 Limit St. is vastly different following facility improvements as part of its transition to a K-8 building for visual and performing arts, thanks to the community’s support of a $44.8 million bond in 2021, part of an ongoing districtwide transformation.

The final phase of work at the revamped school will soon be completed. Once finished, it will boast fully equipped studios for visual and performing arts; a fully renovated K-5 wing; new playground equipment; a brand-new welcome center; a digital graphics and video production lab; and renovations to the auditorium, gymnasium and pool.

The community will get its first chance to tour the building during two open house opportunities on June 17, the first from 10 AM to 12 PM and the second from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

“There’s already a sense of pride in the building,” Shorter said. “This is a movement that is going to change many people's lives and create an opportunity for our community to come and support us more.”

Shorter is wrapping up her tenure as principal of Valley View Elementary School, returning to Northwestern where she attended middle school and later spent eight years as a teacher.

Northwestern Junior High School first opened in 1959 with its big windows, courtyards, auditorium and athletic fields. While much of the building’s original character remains, students will now have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art additions to the facility that enhance opportunities to learn through and excel in the arts.

As far as logistics, junior high and elementary students will only intertwine on occasions such as a full assembly or during drop-off and pick-up. Lunch and recess will be rotated, and an adult will always be with groups. There will not be a bell system; instead, students will transition to specials with an adult escort.

Shorter has deep ties at Northwestern as a former student, teacher and parent. She understands that people hold a range of perceptions about the school and some may be apprehensive about its change to a K-8 building. In partnership with students, teachers, support staff and families, she intends to prove “naysayers” wrong and restore pride at Northwestern in its new life as a visual and performing arts academy.

“This is a movement that is going to change many people's lives and create an opportunity for our community to come and support us more,” Shorter said. “I would be nothing without the teachers you know, that are coming in. Even the kids, when they come through, they're going to see this beautiful place and they're going to want to take care of it.”

For more information, email cshorter@battle-creek.k12.mi.us.

Article written by: Nick J. Buckley for BCPS