Macatawa BaySchool Information

Macatawa Bay is your choice along the lakeshore! Macatawa Bay Middle School is located on 140th Avenue between Quincy and Riley Streets. It is a beautiful campus nestled between residential neighborhoods and towering oak trees. Our unique building offers an indoor track, ample classroom space and even a planetarium! Our school culture is built around rewarding students for their academic successes and positive behavior choices. Students and faculty exhibit Panther “P.R.I.D.E., our philosophy to be Prepared, Respectful, show Integrity, be Dependable and give our best Effort.  Macatawa Bay Middle school is a special place to build skills and knowledge to ensure our students are “College, Career and Life Ready.”

Macatawa BayFAQ

Enrollment

How do I enroll my student at Macatawa Bay Middle School?

Please visit the Enrollment page for further information.

How can I enroll my students in advanced and/or HS courses?

Macatawa Bay offers opportunities for students to participate in advanced classes in all four core areas.  Students begin an advanced track as new 6th graders or can enter classes by showing proficiency in coursework by contacting your students teacher in the content area.  High school courses can be taken as 8th graders who have shown proficiency or completed the prerequisite course material.

What electives can my students take?

Sixth graders at Macatawa take a music course (band, choir or orchestra) in addition to art, physical wellness and two technology/STEM classes: App Creator and Computers.

Seventh and Eighth grade students can choose from two language options: French and Spanish in addition to art, music, physical wellness and STEM courses.

All seventh grade students participate in the state-required Health course.

Parents

What is the daily start and end time? What is the schedule for a half day?

Please view the daily start and end time schedule on this document.

Where can I access the student handbook?

You can view the Middle School Student Handbook on this link.

What technology will be available for my student?

All students at Macatawa Bay are offered the privilege of obtaining a Chromebook to be used at school and at home.  After completing our technology agreement and fulfilling the insurance requirements, students are issued a Chromebook computer, case, and charger.  Students are expected to charge their machine each night at home, bring their computer to school each day charged and ready for us.

What Positive Behavior supports are available for my student?

Faculty teach specific lessons to foster Panther “P.R.I.D.E., our philosophy to be Prepared, Respectful, show Integrity, be Dependable and give our best Effort. Students are encouraged to show these traits in and out of the classroom to earn rewards at the Panther Pride shop monthly.

How can my student participate in athletics?

Middle school students are encouraged to get involved and to join an athletic team.  All information, including online registration through the FINAL FORMS site can be accessed by visiting https://wopanthers.com/.

What after school activities are available for my student(s)?

We encourage all students to get involved in athletics, clubs and after school activities. This is an important part of middle school discovery!

Macatawa Bay offers:

After School Tutoring

Art Club

BBYA (Best Books for Young Adults)

Calling All Colors

Fishing Club

Jazz Band

Robotics

Running Club

Science Olympiad

Volleyball (Boys Club)

When were the emergency drills?

Please review the spreadsheet to learn more about the drills at this building.

Macatawa Bay has proven to me it has a child-focused intent. Macatawa Bay has accomplished this by offering a variety of classes to meet my son's academic needs and a staff that genuinely care about him being successful everyday both academically and socially. My son is successful because of West Ottawa's focus on relationships and academic rigor.
Nancy Reynolds, parent
Macatawa Bay has been a wonderful place for my three children to learn. Each built incredible relationships with teachers, felt safe, and grew as learners. While all three were very different students, each was well prepared to make the transition to high school. I love how the teachers genuinely care about their students, not just as learners, but as a whole person.
Carrie Johnson