EcoSchool

Benzie County Central Schools

SEEDS EcoSchool
at Betsie Valley Elementary School

Serving 10-20 students a day — Grades K-5
 
ROUTINE
 Mon-Thurs from 4:00 to 6:30 pm – Mealtime at 5:40 pm
Lesson of the Day 4:45-5:40
Plus  Outdoor Exploration/Recess and  Homework Help
 
LOCAL EMPHASIS
STEM Challenges and Team-Building, Cooking and Baking,
Gardening, Hiking Trail on School Property
A monthly FAMILY FUN NIGHT
 
SITE COORDINATOR:
Hester Harris
hharris@ecoseeds.org
 
School Address:  17936 Cadillac Hwy.  Thompsonville  MI
School Phone:  231.378.4164
 
Offered free to enrolled students thanks to support
from 
21st Century Community Learning Centers

SEEDS EcoSchool
at Benzie Central Middle School

Serving  20-25  students a day — Grades 6-8
 
ROUTINE
Mon-Thurs from 2:45 to 6:15pm – Mealtime at 3:30 pm
Lesson of the Day 4:20-5:30
Plus  Homework Help – Literacy – Art – Life Skills
 
LOCAL EMPHASIS
Partnerships with
Crystal Mountain, Benzonia Public Library, and Master Gardeners Club;
Cooking and Gardening projects
A monthly FAMILY FUN NIGHT
BUS TRANSPORTATION is available.
 
MULTI-SITE COORDINATOR: 
Molly Pavelek
mpavelek@ecoseeds.org
231.632.2144
School Address:  9300 Homestead Road, Benzonia MI
School Phone: 231.882.4498
Offered free to enrolled students thanks to support
from 
21st Century Community Learning Centers

SEEDS EcoSchool
at Benzie Central High School & Academy

Serving 10 to 15 students a day — Grades 9-12
 
ROUTINE
Mon-Thurs from 2:45 to 5:50pm – Mealtime at 5:15 pm
Lesson of the Day  3:45-5:15
Plus Homework Help,  Reflection, Games,  Self-care
 
LOCAL EMPHASIS
Utilizing  Eco and STEAM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math) approaches
Field trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat’l Lakeshore
Volunteer opportunities with community organizations
Partnership with Grow Benzie
A once per semester FAMILY FUN NIGHT
BUS TRANSPORTATION is available.
 
SITE SUPERVISOR:
Lindsay Wallin
lwallin@ecoseeds.org
907.687.6790
School Address:  9300 Homestead Road, Benzonia MI
School Phone: 231.882.4498
 
Offered free to enrolled students thanks to support
from 
21st Century Community Learning Centers

Stories

Headshot of Alex and Anna standing side by side

Alex and Anna are helping mentor elementary students in SEEDS EcoSchool, the same program they attended as elementary students. Both seniors at Kalkaska High School, they worked with SEEDS EcoSchool this past summer as summer camp staff and found their time with the younger students very rewarding.

Three students smile at the camera while leaning into each other, one playfully puts bunny ears behind another

Kids need a place where they can belong, where they can be themselves, learn about the world around them, and grow healthy relationships with their peers and mentors. SEEDS EcoSchool is that place for hundreds of students across Northern Michigan.

Photo of former EcoSchool student Alex

“I would say that my time in SEEDS made me more successful in high school and helped make me the way I am today.”