SPOTLIGHT ON
Orchard View Middle School, Muskegon
Four young children engaged in a hands-on construction project. One girl, wearing a blue hard hat, is focused on measuring and assembling materials, while the others, dressed in casual clothing, lean in to collaborate. The setting has a warm, natural light, with wooden materials and tools spread across the floor. The ‘What School Could Be’ logo is in the bottom left corner.
Classrooms buzz with enthusiasm—students aren't silently flipping through textbooks but actively collaborating as young innovators. This is what school looks like at Orchard View Middle School in Muskegon, Michigan. Driven by a vision to boost attendance, reduce discipline referrals, and ignite joyful learning, Principal Josh Smith partnered with the Human Restoration Project, Open Way Learning, and independent evaluator RAND to launch the Third Coast Learning Collaborative. This bold initiative blends interdisciplinary, project-based learning, portfolio-based assessment, and intentional, social-emotional learning to create meaningful, student-centered experiences.
SPOTLIGHT ON
This month, What School Could Be is thrilled to spotlight Cassie Nastase! Cassie began her career as a middle school counselor in West Michigan. Now, as the Third Coast Learning Collaborative Coordinator with the Human Restoration Project, Cassie partners with educators at Orchard View Middle School to co-design learning experiences that cultivate curiosity, creativity and meaningful connection to self and community. Cassie is passionate about integrating SEL standards and therapeutic approaches into everyday teaching practices to create nurturing learning environments that support the holistic development of students.
We're honored to have HRP's collaborative work with Michigan schools highlighted in the @whatschoolcouldbe.bsky.social inaugural newsletter, with a huge spotlight on the indispensable and incomparable @cnastase.bsky.social, our TCLC Coordinator! 🙌
mailchi.mp/whatschoolco...
