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Expanding campus

Ribbon cutting at Copper Island Academy

CALUMET -- Copper Island Academy recently celebrated its campus expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday. The expansion includes new classrooms, an atrium, a little library, additional facilities and now enrolling students up to 11th grade. Charter School Authorizers from Central Michigan University, school officials and staff made appearances at an open house following the ribbon cutting ceremony.

CMU Center for Charter Schools Deputy Director Jason Sarsfield said Copper Island is one of the strongest performing schools in its program. "On behalf of Central Michigan University, we can't say enough about how proud we are of this school, what it's done for this community and all of you that have been a part of it," Sarsfield said during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

According to a press release from CMU Center for Charter Schools, Copper Island Academy Director Nora Laho was recently awarded the statewide charter school award, receiving $5,000 for Copper Island Academy.

Developer David Rowe said he and his business partners recognized the need for Copper Island Academy and took a leap of faith, which he said, worked out. "It started off with the elementary school and candidly, on a handshake, we agreed to go forward and finance and build the facility," he said. "This is an example when the community comes together and works towards a common goal."

In addition to the ribbon cutting, the newly added atrium library was dedicated to and named in honor of donor Kathleen Carlton Johnson, who made an appearance at the ceremony.

"I was a librarian for many, many years and the library is an essential part of the learning experience," Johnson said. "I don't care how many AI and computers compete with us. But when you hold a book in your hand and read it, it's yours to keep."

The high school expansion now houses students up to grade 11 and includes new arts, health sciences and skilled trades classrooms. Laho said students will learn a wide variety of skills in the new facilities. "Regardless of their pathway, I think the students will depart from Copper Island Academy very well prepared for college, if that's their pathway," she said. "Our goal is to give them a lot of hands-on practical experience, but also have a lot of rigor in our academic programming."

Copper Island's new health sciences program includes simulated hospital rooms and doctor's offices. Health Sciences Instructor Liisa Halonen said students will practice skills firsthand and see if they want to pursue a position in the medical field. "They'll get a chance to work with their friends at times and to practice a patient-relationship," she said. "They'll also be able to explore a variety of different health occupations. We don't just focus on, for example, nurses or doctors."

Skilled Trades Instructor Steve Hallstrom said students, from kindergarten through 11th grade, will learn all types of skilled trades, including woodworking, CNC machining, welding and more. "We're going to teach them how to use all these tools that we got in the shop," he said. "This space is going to help."