ESCANABA – Administration is expecting another successful year for Escanaba Area Public Schools.

As July winds down, parents and guardians in Escanaba are preparing for the upcoming academic year, with the first day of school scheduled for August 27.

Escanaba Area Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Coby Fletcher shared what parents and students can expect in the upcoming year.

“As we look forward, things are on a really firm foundation,” Fletcher said.

He added that he and the staff want to use the new year to build on the established programs and activities.

“What we try to do, within the region, is offer more for our students than they’re going to be able to find anywhere else. So, we balance academics, we balance co-curriculars, we balance extracurriculars,” he explained.

The school system also offers a range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment, and Early Middle College (EMC) programs.

“At the same time, we work hard to offer a flourishing fine arts program. So, you’ll see that we’re the only school in the area that offers band, orchestra, and choir to our students,” he said.

Fletcher also spoke about the extracurricular programs in Escanaba, saying the school offers various athletic programs, among others.

“We work hard to have the most athletic offerings anybody in the region,” he said.

Whether it’s athletics, school clubs, or educational programs, Fletcher aims for students to be well-rounded upon graduation.

“The goal is to allow students to be as well-rounded as they can be, but then also to give them as many opportunities as possible to explore their talents and develop them in ways that, you know, they want to,” he said.

Fletcher said expanding programs and offering students multiple paths to success is key.

“We’re proud of all of that,” Fletcher said.

“We worked really hard to preserve it and strengthen it and expand it.”

Students and parents may notice new structures at the various schools, including a new playground at Lemmer Elementary School, new seating for the stands at the football field, and a bathroom located between the tennis and track complexes.

“The projects that we have going on right now, all are going to be completed before the end of the school year,” Fletcher said.

The administration expects to be fully staffed to start the year, but is currently looking for a Spanish teacher.

“We have an excellent, hard-working staff; top notch,” he said.

“I’m always amazed at the hard work that is going on, on behalf of our kids and families.”

Final enrollment numbers will not be available until roughly 10 days after the start of the school year, but Fletcher expects it to be another successful year.

“We’ve seen a nice trend in the past few years. Our enrollment has gained year over year,” he said.

Fletcher, administration, teachers, and the rest of the staff are excited to welcome parents and students back for the upcoming school year.

“A school building just really comes alive when it has kids in it, and I look forward to that,” Fletcher said.