Education on the Forgotten Coast

Written By Justin Schnettler

The Forgotten Coast offers a diverse treasure trove of educational opportunities for kids. You can choose from the familiar public or parochial school setting, one or two-room rural schoolhouses, or even a thriving home school co-op. Before we dive in, we need to talk about Michigan’s School of Choice Program. School of Choice allows students (and their parents) to choose which school they would like to attend regardless of where they live. Keep reading to learn about education on the Forgotten Coast.

Public Schools

There are many public schools throughout the Forgotten Coast, and because of School of Choice, you get the opportunity to choose the school your child can attend despite your location. In addition to this, the class sizes tend to be smaller than what you will find in larger cities, which can offer your child a sense of belonging and the ability to receive one-on-one help and instruction when needed. There are many public schools throughout the area and many schools stand out for academic excellence and are highly student-centered. The public schools also offer a wide variety of after-school activities and sports programs. To browse public schools on the Forgotten Coast we recommend visiting the intermediate school districts for each county and narrowing your search from there. See the links below.

Intermediate School Districts

The following intermediate school districts provide support services to local school districts throughout the Forgotten Coast area including educational and administrative services to schools for each county.

Home School

Michigan parents have the right to home-school their children. Parents can research reputable educational programming models that they feel best suit their child’s needs as well as determine the time commitment required to implement the learning program. To learn more about homeschooling in Michigan refer to the resources below.

In addition to homeschooling, you also can access homeschool cooperatives. A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others as well as an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. One such homeschool cooperative is the Northern Huron County Homeschool Cooperative located in Port Hope at the Hope Activity Center. For more information, contact: phac.learningcurve@gmail.com. There is also a private Facebook Group called Homeschooling in Michigan’s Thumb worth looking into if you intend or have an interest in homeschooling your child. More resources can be found below.

Homeschool Information:

Local Homeschool Groups:

Parochial Schools

The Forgotten Coast also offers a variety of private schools offering religious education in addition to secular subjects. Huron County offers one Catholic school and four Lutheran schools. In Tuscola County, there are two Christian schools and three Lutheran schools.

Huron County Parochial Schools

Tuscola County Parochial Schools

Rural Schools

In a day and age where one and two-room country schoolhouses seem like a thing of the past, you may be surprised to find that a few can still be found on the Forgotten Coast! There are not one but five rural schools in Huron County that offer children a unique learning opportunity. The schools are mostly located throughout central Huron County in the upper thumb area of the Forgotten Coast and include Adams School, Big Burning School, Church School, Eccles School, and Verona Mills School. Learn more at huroncountyruralschools.com.

Technical Centers

Area technical centers offer residents of local school districts the ability to participate in career/technical programs and explore activities in preparation for employment or post-secondary education. Each county offers a wide variety of programs. Feel free to explore them more below.

Huron Area Technical Center (HATC)

  • The HATC offers 13 programs and 1 dual enrollment program such as:

    • Automotive Technology, CAD:  Computer Aided Drafting (Architectural & Mechanical), Careers in Education, Construction/Building Technology, Cosmetology, Electrical Technology, Health Sciences, Hospitality/Food Service, Law Enforcement/Public Safety, Marketing, Power Technology, and Visual Communication.

  • Learn more about the Huron Area Technical Center.

 
 

Sanilac Career Center

  • The Sanilac Career Center provides Career and Technical Education opportunities for students from Brown City, Carsonville Port Sanilac, Crowell Lexington, Deckerville, Marlette, Peck, and Sandusky School Districts and offers 10 programs such as:

  • Auto Services, Biotechnology, Careers in Education, CDL Certification, Computer Technology, Construction, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Engineering and Design, Graphics Communications, and Health Occupations.

  • Learn more about the Sanilac Career Center

 
 


Tuscola Technology Center (TTC)

  • The Tuscola Technology Center offers 19 programs such as:

    • Agriscience & Natural Resources, Art & Digital Design, Auto Body, Automotive Technology, CAD:  Computer Aided Drafting (Architectural & Mechanical), Computer Technology Management, Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Diesel Technology, Electronics, Graphics & Digital Imaging, Law Enforcement/Protective Services, Marketing & Business Management, Nursing Careers, Professions in Education/Early Childhood, Risk Management & Insurance, and Welding & Fabrication

  • Learn more about the Tuscola Technology Center

Special Education

Highland Pines School

  • Highland Pines is designed to serve as a centralized extension of the nine local school districts that make up the Tuscola Intermediate School District

  • The school provides services to those students from birth to 26 years who need highly concentrated special education and therapy services

  • In addition to the classroom, most students are involved in adapted physical education, aquatics, music therapy, activities of daily living, and community living

  • Learn more about Highland Pines School

Huron Learning Center

  • The Huron Learning Center provides special education programs and services to students with a variety of special needs in Huron County, including moderate to severe cognitive impairments, severe multiple impairments, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and severe emotional impairments

  • Students who attend the Huron Learning Center are between the ages of 3 and 26

  • Learn more about the Huron Learning Center

Sanilac County Special Education Programs

Justin Schnettler http://www.businesssoil.com
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