West Michigan Aviation Academy takes off with huge expansion

What do astronauts and high school students have in common? A great deal in West Michigan after today. Dignitaries, staff, supporters and students of the West Michigan Aviation Academy braved cold, rainy February weather to attend the groundbreaking ceremonies for a massive expansion to this aviation-themed charter school near Gerald R Ford International Airport. The event also featured a guest appearance by former astronaut Mark Kelly, who talked to the students about what it takes to be leaders in the aviation world.

The newest phase of the Aviation Academy, and its largest yet, will create a new two-story, 47,000-square-foot addition and a new entrance. The addition on the West end of the building will give the academy the ability to add Junior and Senior classes and house a new gymnasium, fitness area, high-tech classrooms, science labs, administrative offices, food service and a commons area. At least five new hires are planned when the expansion opens, as well as the capacity for approximately 450 new students.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from the founder of the academy, Dick Devos; CEO Pat Cwayna; Joe Tomaselli, Chairman of the Gerald R Ford International Airport Board; Lennox Ramsey, student and President of the Student Council and former Congressman Vern Ehlers.

With a focus on aviation and aerospace, the school opened in the Fall of 2010 with the goal of 60 freshman students and quickly grew to 145 students. The expansion will allow the school to accommodate up to 600 students in four high school grades.

Source: Jenny Waugh, Rockford Construction
Writer: Jeff Hill