The Wilderness Academy (WA) in Jenison has had a change of plans and will not expand to add a third and fourth grade as intended. As one mom said, many parents feel “crushed” at the thought of uprooting their children from this amazing program. In order to get a sense of how this change will impact the families involved, it might be helpful to understand just what this nature-based program is.
Imagine a school day of adventure, hands-on exploration, up-close study of nature and wildlife, and a whole lot of wind in your hair and sun on your face. Throw in a giant natural playground, a heated greenhouse, and you’d be close to picturing what an outdoor classroom is like.
Parent Reina Richardson described the WA format as hands on and deductive learning, which some might even call old-school style.
Compared to traditional students who are outside for recess about 30–40 minutes of their school day, WA students spend half of each day (about two and half hours) in the fresh air—in addition to their recess. Rain, snow, and cold, they learn through it all, factoring the nature around them into their lessons.
The Jenison Public School (JPS) district opened their unique WA in 2022, with a kindergarten class. Each year the program has expanded a grade with the intent to have the pioneering kindergarten class go through the fourth grade.
But now that’s scheduled to change.
At an information meeting in March of 2025, JPS Superintendent Dr. Brandon Graham told WA parents there would be no more expansion, and that the initial class of students, which is now a class of second graders, would need to find a new school by fall. With such a heartfelt passion for the program, the idea of the program not adding third and fourth grades brought some parents to tears.
The reasons Dr. Graham gave for the change were cost, space, teacher retention, and student scores. It was a decision that several parents thought came out of nowhere, leaving them with questions they’re struggling to get answered. Prior to that March meeting, these parents said there’d been no indication that the program would cease to continue beyond second grade.
Reasons several WA parents are baffled:
• A plan was in place. According to WA parent Ashley Rottman, WA Principal Crystal Morse already had a plan for expanding the program, which currently resides on the Fair Haven Ministries campus. Two preschool classes from other programs will be moving out, freeing up rooms for the WA third and fourth grades. As for the outdoor area, Rottman said there is still plenty of room within their current space.
• Staff talked about third grade as though it were a given. Through this past winter, JPS continued to recruit new kindergarteners for the WA, explaining the program would continue through the fourth grade. And, during this year’s winter conferences, the second-grade teacher talked of the students’ upcoming move to a WA third grade.
• The JPS bond had passed. Several parents had understood that the last JPS bond had funds designated for the WA. Rottman explained that in the presentations for the bond, the WA had been highlighted as a gem in the crown of all Jenison has to offer. Yet, what was needed for the WA expansion did not get included in the bond.
• Specialized programs typically don’t start seeing accelerated outcomes until fourth and fifth grades. Parents were told that the WA reading scores were below district average. WA parent Richardson said that the data they were given of the scores was incomplete and didn’t give a full picture. WA parent Rottman pointed out that the tests were administered on an iPad, and that the type of kids attracted to a nature program don’t spend a lot of time on electronics. Rottman also shared that reading specialists were brought in this year, but that the administrators aren’t giving any time for the interventions to take effect or for the data to catch up.
• A transition plan was indicated for going into 5th grade. The impression several parents have been given since 2022 has been that at the end of fourth grade the district would provide a transition plan, acclimating students to a traditional classroom in the 5th/6th building. In the March meeting, Dr. Graham told parents he now hoped to have a transition plan for the second graders. So far, no plan has been offered.
• Dr. Graham proposed keeping the students together and moving them as a class. Some parents have since been told that class placement isn’t an option, nor is placing friends together. The reason given was that JPS doesn’t think moving children together is what's best for them.
In March, Dr. Graham addressed the abrupt cancellation by saying: “[The decision] is a little on me because I didn’t ask the strategic questions when we were expanding each year.”
Dr. Graham did not respond to The Hollander’s request for comment.
WA Principal Crystal Morse, whom parents praised as being significantly invested in the program, also did not respond to a request for comment. Additionally, on the heels of the Dr. Graham’s decision, announced her retirement.
Parents say the Wilderness Academy has made a difference in the well-being of their children.
At a recent school board meeting, 20 parents gave public comment speaking on the effects the program has had on their children. Some talked about increased socialization skills, others about the program building confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience in relationships. Some said they have seen a reduction in anxiety, increase in mental clarity, and improvement in mental and overall health, adding that their kids are thriving in the fresh air and outdoors.
WA parent Rottman said, “It is such a life changing experience. The way they’re learning is different… Both [of her kids] have more curiosity and critical thinking now.”
“So much of traditional school is institution,” Rottman added. “Kids are not meant to sit quietly for six hours per day.”
Wesley, an eight-year-old WA student, wanted to make sure the school board knows how he feels about the program. So, he read them a letter written in his own words.
Not only does the decision to not expand affect the current second graders, but all the students coming after them. Some parents are contemplating whether to start/continue younger siblings in the WA, weighing what they love about the wilderness portion against the emotional and educational upset of having to change schools in the middle of their elementary experience.
WA parent Richardson shared that she had moved to the district specifically for Jenison’s WA, making life changes to accommodate her child because she believes so much in this program.
WA parents have banded together.
WA parents are showing to be organized, resourceful, and determined to save the expansion. They have asked for more data to understand the decision and have offered solutions by proposing an Advancement Committee.
In their committee proposal, the parents state:
… We recognize that—in order to expand—Wilderness Academy needs more support. It needs people who are willing to fundraise, volunteer, maintain learning spaces, advocate for teachers, and build connections within the district and beyond... Wilderness Academy parents are uniquely positioned to engage in this work with the district. Within the Wilderness Academy families we have identified professional fundraisers, nonprofit managers, educators, and community engagement advocates. We are ready to invest our time, skills, and energy to ensure that this program not only continues, but grows and thrives.
Are there other students who could benefit from going outside?
Board of Education Trustee Donna Mooney thinks the prospect to expand the WA program is there, if the hurdles that are stopping the expansion could be overcome. As she’s learned more about the benefits of WA, Mooney said she’s asked the board president if it ever would work to someday incorporate a little bit of wilderness into all the grades. “Even high schoolers could use an hour outside,” Mooney said.
Considering the recent decline in student mental health, maybe instead of adding mental health initiatives and hiring more social workers, psychologists, and counselors, schools should take a page from the WA.
As eight-year-old WA student Wesley recently told his mom, “I feel the safest outside. My mind is quieter. I’m able to see things and just be out there and be myself.”
Knowing that God has provided everything in nature we need, could a daily dose of the outdoors provide the same impact on older students that these WA students are experiencing—improved confidence, improved learning, improved social skills, improved interest in learning, less anxiety?
JPS (and other schools with outdoor programs) might be onto something. If given enough support and resources to keep expanding, could JPS set a trend for getting students back to healthier, more productive learning? Is it worth the risk and investment of continuing to “build the plane as they fly” to find out?
WA parent Rottman said, “Jenison is holding onto this pot of gold, for a lack of a better word, and they just don’t see its value. Like coal. Sometimes you don’t see its value until it’s fully formed, and it’s a diamond… This program has so much potential, and I think they’re cutting it off before it can really even take off. They haven’t given it its time.”
Krista Yetzke is a native of Ottawa County. A jeep-driving, guitar-playing wife, mom, and everyday adventurer, Krista was raised on the love of Jesus, the great outdoors, the arts, the value of frugality, and the beauty of food as medicine.
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