United Way grant opens doors for students to study at Studio 23 and the Family Y

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Bay-Arenac Community High School (BACHS) agrees. Partnering with local organizations throughout the community helps enhance students’ experiences and exposes them to resources beyond the school building.

B-ACHS students have the opportunity to earn credits in art and physical education by attending classes at Studio 23 and Dow Bay Area Family YMCA.

Photo courtesy of Bay-Arenac Community High SchoolCarly Mindykowski, Sports Director at Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, says she hopes the partnership helps the students learn they are strong and capable.The program started in 2021 with a grant from United Way of Bay County. When you donate to the United Way of Bay County, your money supports B-ACHS, Studio 23, and the YMCA. This article is part of an ongoing #UnitedForGood series highlighting agencies and programs the United Way of Bay County supports.

“The first year 10 to 12 students opted in,” says Chanda Swartz, Superintendent of Bay-Arenac Community High School, located at 805 Langstaff St. in Essexville.

“They were scared and a bit intimidated at first. They returned with smiles and talked about the great experience they had, encouraging others to join.”

Today, the majority of the 180 students at the school participates in the program. Every Friday, students hop aboard a Bay Metro bus to take advantage of instruction from professionals.

At Studio 23, students work with instructors who are artists. At YMCA, they learn to play pickleball, use exercise equipment, and explore additional opportunities promoting physical activity.

“These opportunities expose students to so much more beyond the possibilities of the gym in our facility,” says Swartz. “In education, we have an obligation to expose our youth to as much as possible in the community. Gaining experience and knowledge through chances like these introduces students to such resources and teaches them how to navigate going on their own.”

Photo courtesy of Bay-Arenac Community High SchoolThe collaboration between Bay-Arenac Community High School, Studio 23, and the Dow Bay Area Family Y began in 2021. A United Way of Bay County grant supports the partnership.Aside from the academic benefits, these programs also foster positive relationships with adults beyond those at school.

“It’s so important for students to feel a trusting relationship with at least one person involved in school, filling a gap for students from homes where adults haven’t been so trustworthy. It positively impacts attendance and attentiveness,” says Swartz.

Utilizing existing, local resources within the community, such as Studio 23, can have an impact on the future of education by fostering collaboration, maximizing opportunities for students, and enriching learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom, says Meg Koch, Executive Director of Studio 23, 901 N. Water St. 

Photo courtesy of Bay-Arenac Community High SchoolThe partnerships foster arts and physical education, but also give kids positive adult role models in the community.Studio 23 provides students with access to engaging, hands-on learning experiences that are often difficult to replicate in traditional or online classroom settings. The art classes help students develop creative problem-solving skills, improve focus, and build confidence in their abilities.

The partnership involves Studio 23 providing structured, in-person art classes tailored to meet graduation requirements. Studio 23 also offers a welcoming, creative environment where students can explore artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and more.

“Community partnerships bridge gaps in resources, providing students with access to specialized programs and hands-on experiences they might not otherwise receive," says Koch.

Photo courtesy of Bay-Arenac Community High SchoolArt classes help students develop creative problem-solving skills, improve focus, and build confidence in their abilities.“In the face of challenges, such as limited school budgets, overcrowded classrooms, or a reliance on online solutions, partnerships like ours offer creative and personalized learning opportunities that keep students engaged,” says Koch.

“They demonstrate the power of leveraging local expertise to support education, while also instilling in students a sense of connection to their community.”

Bringing community resources into education not only helps students succeed academically, but also equips them with skills, inspiration, and experiences that will shape their future contributions to their local community and society as a whole, Koch explains.

The Dow Bay Area YMCA, 225 Washington Ave., offers in-person gym classes for students to earn physical education credits. The partnership fulfills the organization’s mission to fill gaps in the community.

“Bay-Arenac Community High School has a very small gymnasium that is rather outdated, so it's great for us to be able to open our building to the students so we can help fulfill that gym/PE credit,” says Carly Mindykowski, Sports Director at Dow Bay Area Family YMCA.

Ashley BrownStudents get from the Essexville high school to the Dow Bay Area Family Y and Studio 23 aboard Bay Metro buses.“We put the kids through a 45-minute workout and then give them free time to play a sport. For some kids, this is the first and only time they've been in a gym setting so it's great to be able to show them new skills and for them to see how strong and powerful they are.”

“It's fun to see that realization of, ‘Oh wow I can do this’,” says Mindykowski.

From the beginning, B-ACHS has tapped into community resources, starting with the school’s first location in a local church 40 years ago.

“Right from the start, the community wrapped its arms around the school,” says Swartz. “We needed a place for the school to exist and a local church offered space.”

The school continues to get support from area churches, assisting with stocking the school’s pantry with donations of food, clothing, and hygiene items to help students in need. Every Thanksgiving, church groups host a meal at the school and provide gifts for students during the holidays.

These partnerships have helped improve graduation rates among the school’s 180-student population. Since 2020, B-ACHS graduation rates have increased from 25% to 56% in 2022.