Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

231 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 MARQUET TE AREA PUBL IC SCHOOLS nurtures artistic talents from elementary to high school levels. The district is also privileged to possess the Kaufman Auditorium, which Sedgewick says is “a gem in the community.” With a celebrated history of excellence in academics and the arts, Marquette Area Public Schools is also proud of its athletic achievements, which includes 14 different varsity and sub-varsity sports in the fall alone. “There’s many extracurricular programs if kids are interested in additional opportunities,” Sedgewick notes. “Everything that you would imagine in the fall season: football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, a dynamic mountain biking club We have a lot of diversity in our programming, extracurriculars, the arts, athletics, and beyond. Skill-Based Learning and Workforce Development MAPS places a strong emphasis on skill- based learning programs. Partnerships with local businesses and trade programs, as well as initiatives at the middle school and high school levels, ensure students are well-prepared for a variety of careers. STEM and STEAM education are integrated into the curriculum, along with hands-on learning opportunities in subjects ranging from health occupations, building trades, web design, mechanics, etc. “We have a career tech education programming at the middle school and high school where there’s a lot of hands-on learning which is somewhat unique that we can provide students,” relays Sedgewick. Additionally, Marquette students have the opportunity to take advantage of the Middle College program, a partnership with MARESA and Northern Michigan University, which allows them to graduate with an associate degree, a significant head start in their chosen careers.