Noah Johnson Daily Press Director of Operations at Escanaba Area Public Schools, Scott Peterson examines the newly installed water heaters at the new Escanaba Student Success Center.

ESCANABA — The Escanaba Area Public Schools Board of Education unveiled its new learning center at an open house Monday night.

The board announced the opening of a newly renovated site for the Escanaba Student Success Center (ESSC) at 2827 N. Lincoln Rd.

The school hosted an open house, followed by the February Committee of the Whole meeting.

“The ESSC has existed for many years. It’s been housed at the ISD for approximately 10 years, and they informed us a couple of years ago that they needed the space for their own growing programs. As a result, we began the search for a new location for the ESSC. The building purchase and renovation were paid for by setting aside money in our general fund so that there was no additional cost to our taxpayers,” said ESSC Director Laurie Moberg.

The space is designed for ESSC staff, the director, teachers, a social worker and student mentors.

The majority of the students who will attend the ESSC are in grades ninth through 12th.

Moberg said the ESSC is part of a flexible learning environment aimed at helping students succeed.

“We understand that every student learns differently,” she said.

She explained that the curriculum follows the Michigan Merit Curriculum guidelines for high school graduation, “ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education while still being able to progress at their own pace. Classes are offered through an online platform, allowing students to work through the material as they feel comfortable while still being supported by our dedicated staff. For subjects like math, we provide in-person instruction from a certified math teacher to offer additional support and ensure students fully understand the content.”

The ESSC also has special education and mental health providers who help support students.

The renovated building contains a large student workspace and individual classroom space, but it also has a working kitchen, laundry, and showering facilities. The appliances were purchased through grant funds for at-risk students/programs.

The project took roughly two years to complete, including finding, purchasing, designing, and constructing a space.

Roy Ness of Escanaba completed the construction, while Dynamic Design Group of Escanaba was in charge of the design.

Students’ first day in the new building will be on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

“We are especially excited about the upcoming move to a new, enlarged space because it will provide us with room to accommodate the growing needs of our students. The larger space will allow for more individualized attention, additional resources, and a better learning environment. We’re looking forward to offering even more personalized support, more collaborative spaces, and a more inviting atmosphere that will help all of our students reach their full potential,” Moberg said.

Following the open house, the Committee of the Whole held its meeting in the success center, a one-time event location to showcase the center further.

Read more about the Escanaba Student Success Center and other Escanaba School Board news in Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Press.