West Ottawa Public Schools

West Ottawa Public Schools
Address
1138 136th Avenue[1]
Holland
, Ottawa, Michigan, 49424
United States
District information
GradesPre-Kindergarten-12
SuperintendentTim Bearden[2]
Schools13[3]
Budget$137,733,000 2022-2023 expenditures[3]
NCES District ID2635910[3]
Students and staff
Students6,757 (2024-2025)[3]
Teachers426.9 FTE (2024-2025)[3]
Staff916.17 FTE (2024-2025)[3]
Student–teacher ratio15.83 (2024-2025)[3]
Other information
Websitewww.westottawa.net

West Ottawa Public Schools is a public school district in Ottawa County, Michigan. It serves a suburban and exurban area between Holland and Grand Haven. The district includes most of Park, Olive, Port Sheldon and Holland townships.[4]

History

For decades, thirteen small K-8 districts north of Lake Macatawa had sent their children to Holland High School. However, in 1956, a study by Michigan State University found this area was growing faster than Holland. In response, the Holland school board demanded that the northern areas fully merge into Holland Public Schools. Instead, in 1957, they voted to cut all ties with Holland Public Schools and merge into a single K-12 district in order to have a high school of their own. High school students held classes at the Beechwood school from 1958 until Suburban High School, later renamed West Ottawa High School, was completed in fall 1961. The building became Harbor Lights Middle School when a new high school was built.[5][6]

In 1999, a middle school was built at 3600 152nd Avenue. It became West Ottawa High School South when High School North opened on the same site in fall 2005. The middle school program housed there, Harbor Lights Middle School, moved to the former high school.[7] North and South high schools are one high school in two separate buildings on the same campus. High School North's architect was Design Plus/Progressive Architecture and Engineering.[8]

West Ottawa's football stadium opened in fall 2022, replacing a smaller facility. Costing $20-$25 million, it seats about 7,000 and also features an adjacent soccer stadium. In 2023, it was recognized as the top multi-field stadium in the country by American Sports Builders Association and was ranked as one of the best high school stadiums in Michigan by The Detroit News.[9][10]

In 2024, a 1,200-seat auditorium opened at High School North.[11]

Schools

Schools in West Ottawa Public Schools district[12][3]
School Address Notes
Riley Farms Elementary2612 120th Ave., HollandGrades K-5. Opening fall 2025.
Woodside Elementary2591 N. Division Ave., HollandGrades PreK-5
Waukazoo Elementary1294 W. Lakewood Blvd., HollandGrades PreK-5
Sheldon Woods Elementary15050 Blair, West OliveGrades PreK-5
Pine Creek Elementary1184 136th Ave., HollandGrades PreK-5
North Holland Elementary11946 New Holland St., HollandGrades K-5
Lakewood Elementary2134 W. Lakewood Blvd., HollandGrades PreK-5
Lakeshore Elementary3765 N. 168 Ave., HollandGrades PreK-5
Great Lakes Elementary3200 152nd Ave., HollandGrades PreK-5
West Ottawa High School3685 Buttnernut Dr., HollandGrades 9-12. Consists of High School North and High School South on a single campus.
The Dunes Alternative High School3685 Butternut Dr., HollandGrades 9-12. Housed in West Ottawa High School North.
Harbor Lights Middle School1024 136th Ave., HollandGrades 6-8. Built 1961, formerly West Ottawa High School.[13]
Macatawa Bay Middle School3700 140th Ave., HollandGrades 6-8


References

  1. ↑ West Ottawa Public Schools. "West Ottawa Public Schools". Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  2. ↑ West Ottawa Public Schools. "Superintendent". Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for West Ottawa Public Schools". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Ottawa County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ Kloosterman, Stephen (September 19, 2008). "WO turns 50: District has evolved during past half-century". The Holland Sentinel.
  6. ↑ Israels, Ethan (April 26, 2016). "West Ottawa throughout the decades". The West Ottawan.
  7. ↑ Reinstadler, Kym (June 13, 2005). "Day-care program for students cut". Grand Rapids Press. p. L1.
  8. ↑ Project Presenter. "West Ottawa Public School - North High School".
  9. ↑ Dunlap, Keith (July 8, 2026). "Check out our top 10 high school football stadiums in Michigan". Detroit News.
  10. ↑ "Holland West Ottawa Athletics Complex Recognized with National Award". Michigan High School Athletic Association. December 12, 2023.
  11. ↑ GDK Construction. "WEST OTTAWA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER".
  12. ↑ West Ottawa Public Schools. "Our Schools". Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ Kloosterman, Stephen (September 19, 2008). "WO turns 50: District has evolved during past half-century". The Holland Sentinel.
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