Behind The Bell is a monthly storytelling series that takes readers beyond the classroom and into the heart of Traverse City Area Public Schools’ mission, values, vision and strategic goals. Through inspiring profiles, this series highlights the people, programs, and moments that shape our schools and connect our community. From unsung heroes to innovative initiatives, Behind The Bell offers an inside look at the stories that make TCAPS a special place to learn and grow.
A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to tour Central High School with Principal Ben Berger, Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner, and a few of my fellow school board members. We stopped by some familiar spots—gyms, music rooms, and new administration offices soon to be updated thanks to the 2024 bond—but it was those who will benefit from what’s being built with our 2018 bond dollars that really stole the show.
Integrated Learning, Real-World Results
Tucked into a vibrant hallway is something truly special: the Trojan Integrated Experience, or TIE, a dynamic, interdisciplinary program for 9th and 10th graders that blends English, science, and social studies into a hands-on, two-hour learning block.
Gone is the rigid bell schedule and the traditional sit-and-listen model. In its place? Real-world projects. Community connections. Team-taught instruction. And lots of student voice and choice.
Students in the 9th grade cohort tackle English 9, Biology, and U.S. History together, while 10th graders focus on English 10, Environmental Science, and World History. What makes it shine is how these subjects are woven into meaningful projects that stretch across disciplines—and sometimes even beyond school walls.
The TIE team includes four certified teachers per cohort and a deep commitment to skill-based, evidence-driven grading. The two-hour block gives students time to explore, collaborate, problem-solve, and think. It also opens up room in their schedules for electives they’re passionate about. No prerequisites. No barriers. Just a chance to learn in a new way.
Earlier this year, Principal Berger, along with West’s principal, Joe Esper and our Secondary Chief Academic Officer, Jessie Houghton, joined Dr. VanWagoner to share about the TIE program at the MASA Superintendent Conference in Grand Rapids. The presentation highlighted how TIE is giving students the tools to thrive—and how this model could inspire other districts across Michigan.
STEM Spaces That Spark Possibility
What makes the program even more exciting is its connection to Central’s brand-new Innovation & Manufacturing Center (IMC). These facilities, funded by the 2018 capital bond, are an investment in the future—each with 7,000 square feet dedicated to STEM learning, manufacturing and trades instruction, robotics, and more. Central and West Senior High now each have one, and they’re already buzzing with activity.
Superintendent VanWagoner shared his pride in seeing these projects come to life in a recent Ticker article: “When you go to the taxpayers and ask for scarce resources to be able to do something, you want to be able to show it was done right… Our early feedback from kids and parents is that these spaces are just spectacular.”
Though construction costs came in a little higher than projected—around $12 million instead of $10 million—the payoff is clear. These IMCs were born from conversations with local business leaders and manufacturers, who voiced concern over a future without a skilled local workforce. The IMCs are one answer: hands-on, real-world experiences that can spark a lifelong career in engineering, skilled trades, or the STEM fields.
Preparing Every Path Forward
There’s a growing understanding that not every kid needs the same pathway after graduation. Some want to go to college. Some want to create, build, fix. We’re building flexible on-ramps and off-ramps that honor all of those futures.
Whether it’s a future electrician starting a business, a robotics kid heading into computer science, or a student discovering the trades for the first time, TIE and the IMC are opening doors.
Want a closer look? Join us this Thursday, April 10th, for a community open house at both IMCs—West at 4 p.m. and Central at 5:30 p.m. Come see what happens when we invest in the future—and in every student’s unique path.
TY FOR TCAPS 
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