Jaqua Realtors Kalamazoo Relocation Guide

Welcome to Kalamazoo

At Jaqua Realtors, we are proud to welcome you to Kalamazoo - a city known for being home to thriving Fortune 500 companies, innovative startups, craft breweries, and its passionately philanthropic heart. We’re a big, little city: host to Broadway shows, amazing dining, and variety of indoor and outdoor recreation--all within an easy distance, so that there’s more time to enjoy living the life you love. Whatever your interest or passion may be, we feel confident that you’ll be delighted to call Kalamazoo home.

Kalamazoo is home to world-class art and cultural offerings; a few not to miss are the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, the Kalamazoo Symphony, Fontana Chamber Arts, Kalamazoo Bach Festival, Gilmore Keyboard Festival and Wellspring Dance. Take in a variety of musical and stage performances at The Civic, Miller Auditorium, or State Theatre.

Learn about Kalamazoo’s rich historical past at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Planetarium or visit one of the many museums in the area including, the Air Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum and Kalamazoo Nature Center or tour the Heritage Guitars of Kalamazoo, operating in the old Gibson Guitar factory.

With an abundance of recreational activities, Greater Kalamazoo offers 35 miles of paved trails for hiking and/or biking along the Kal-Haven Trail and Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. Residents can also enjoy canoeing, kayaking and fishing in one of our 101 lakes. You are never far away from one of the city or county parks offering play equipment, beach access, basketball courts and fields for pick up games with friends and family. Greater Kalamazoo is also home to a wide range of sporting events and teams and 21 public golf courses and a number of private courses.

Kalamazoo’s reputation as a craft beer industry leader has captured national attention for its 21 craft beer venues. Food connoisseurs will not be disappointed with the diverse cuisines offered in over 450 restaurants in the area. The flavors and dishes range from fine dining to a great selection of farm-to-table, organic, infusion and ethnic style restaurants.

Jaqua Realtors has been West Michigan’s premier real estate company for over 45 years, specializing in residential home sales and listings, commercial real estate, corporate relocation, long and short term home rentals and property management. Established in 1975, Jaqua Realtors is the fastest growing and largest independent real estate company in West Michigan. With over 210 full- time agents from diverse backgrounds, Jaqua Realtors offers a wealth of experience in a variety of fields including finance, marketing, sales and education. As a progressive company, Jaqua strives to provide clients exclusive buying and selling services, comprehensive marketing and expert buying strategies. Jaqua’s philosophy is to exceed expectations and provide services that extend well beyond the transaction

Established Presence Throughout West Michigan

Relocation & Rental Offices

Office: 269-226-2994

Toll Free: 800-843-6443

Kalamazoo Office

Office: 269-341-4300

Toll Free: 888-379-7711

Saugatuck Office Office: 269-857-8030

Battle Creek Office Office: 269-704-1000

Toll Free: 855-869-2236

Portage Office

Office: 269-381-7653

Toll Free: 800-959-0759

St. Joseph Office Office: 269-983-8051

Grand Rapids Office Office: 616-369-1991

Commercial Division Office Office: 269-216-4222

South Haven Office Office: 269-637-6537

Toll Free: 888-764-2836

Hastings Office Office: 269-704-1000

Plainwell Office Office: 269-685-6858

Toll Free: 888-631-3200

Richland Office Office: 269-629-5612

Toll Free: 800-466-3908

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Jaqua Relocation Services

Relocation Division

Pre-Arrival Counseling

Your relocation to the Kalamazoo area is set in motion even before you arrive. Relocation counseling begins with the initial telephone conversation between you and our Jaqua representative, during which you are given an overview of the Kalamazoo area, and your basic housing and community needs are assessed. Our associate will forward you a portfolio of details and information that will aid you in your ultimate solution of the “right” home and community for you and your family.

Community Tour

The community tour is designed to introduce you to the richly diverse Greater Kalamazoo community. Typical highlights include: detailed information about school choices, recreational activities, economic development opportunities, and an introduction to the wide range of housing options and neighborhood styles available. Our relocation team can secure hotel accommodations prior to your arrival. In addition, transportation throughout your impending search in the Kalamazoo area can be arranged.

School Tour and Comparison

Kristen Clancy Relocation Director, CRP

Julie Henderson Relocation Specialist, GRP

Allison Harning Relocation Specialist

regarding schools, arrange appointments to visit with school officials, and can introduce a variety of daycare providers within the area.

Our Jaqua associate can provide more detailed

Transitional Rental Housing

Immediate housing may be a necessity for an employee until permanent housing can be secured. Our relocation associate is familiar with the availability of temporary rental housing and can arrange accommodations for you.

Partner Career Counseling

If you are part of a two-income family, our relocation division can assist you and your partner with an effective career transition. We have developed a network of corporate managers, human resource professionals and community leaders who are interested in locating talented future employees.

Jaqua Buying Strategies

At Jaqua Realtors, our dedicated agents provide you with a comprehensive home buying plan personalized to meet your housing criteria and community requirements. Our commitment to knowledge, communication and education ensures your home buying goals are achieved. We believe the more informed you are, the better your experience.

Home Finding Resources

We offer our clients a wide variety of resources to guide their home search. Some of these resources include:

• An individualized, computerized home search of all current listings throughout the region. After understanding your housing needs, your agent will enter a profile of your desired housing features into our system and provide you with real estate listings matching your criteria, updating you continuously as new properties come on the market.

• Address or MLS inquiries – If you see a property that interests you on our website or by driving by, simply notify your agent. Regardless of who has the property listed, we can provide comprehensive information on every home throughout the entire area and research your specific requests.

• Review of available unlisted properties – Your agent can assist you in viewing homes for sale by owner, and provide you with a sneak preview of upcoming properties and Jaqua listings that are not on the market yet.

• Personalized lists of upcoming Open Houses can be provided to you, grouped by area and price, several days in advance to allow you to plan your Open House tour efficiently.

• Neighborhood maps – Your Jaqua agent can provide a map identifying the location of available homes meeting your criteria, as well as information on neighborhoods, schools, parks, and other items of interest.

• Our interactive website, jaquarealtors.com offers several tools:

• The interactive map search allows clients to search by school, city, zip code, neighborhood or custom drawn map. Clients can plot local schools, get driving directions, view the street and Satellite view.

• Our Yelp integration allows clients to plot points of interest including local attractions, business, schools, local and more.

• The interactive market reports provide market data overview including average home price, average days on market, average price per square foot, number of new homes and more.

• Comprehensive community pages feature information about the local community including attractions, recreation, school, healthcare, events and more.

Jaqua Buying Services

Transaction Management Assistance

Your Jaqua agent will serve as your trusted advisor, helping you manage the details of your new home purchase as you navigate your transition to the area. Their knowledge, communication, and attention to detail ensures a smooth transaction.

Your agent offers the following services with no hidden costs or additional transactions fees:

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on negotiating strategies

completion of paperwork and review of contract terms

on and scheduling of inspections

center of recommended vendors and service providers

of closing, possession and utility transfers

Home Buyer Guide with document organizers

Additional

• A Designated Rental Division – Jaqua’s full service rental division offers a variety of executive homes, condominiums, and duplexes for lease.

• Experience our Integrated Solutions – As a full service provider, we’re here to help you through the total real estate experience. By leveraging our team of service providers, including Summit Home Mortgage, Southwest Michigan Title Agency, Arcadia Insurance Services, Distinguished Homes, moving services and Rental Property Management, our entire company works to help you through the home buying process. Be assured our experts will answer your questions, provide direction and guidance, and simplify your home buying journey.

• Selling your Home – Our relocation department’s network affiliation can be of valuable assistance to you in expeditiously selling your present home before you move to the Greater Kalamazoo and surrounding areas. We are in constant touch with reputable real estate firms where you now reside, and can assist you with all your needs.

• Follow-up Services – We take pride in the fact that our relocation associates remain a constant resource as you settle into your new community, assisting you with locating services and other resources.

Rentals

We offer a convenient online rental experience:

• Preview several homes available in the area that match your criteria

• Setup a showing and request more information

• Apply and pay an application fee directly online

Community

As a company who strongly believes in the importance of community, Jaqua Realtors has established an online collection of in-depth area details to highlight the amenities West Michigan has to offer. Users can view downtown attractions, local restaurants, unique shopping, recreational opportunities, school information and more from the ease of one website.

Jaqua’s relocation services are also highlighted throughout this section, with easy-to-use contact forms. Corporate Relocation Services and Transitional Housing are also key points of interest.

By pulling this data together, we’ve done the “homework” for you with the ability to explore the West Michigan area from the ease of one website.

Southwest Michigan Title Agency

Trusted Team of Advisors

With Jaqua Realtors as your partner, you won’t just complete a transaction. We offer a truly seamless real estate experience by offering all of the personalized services you need every step of the way.

Real Estate

Mortgage

Summit Home Mortgage

Title

Insurance

Relocating can be both exciting and stressful. While there’s the anticipation of a new job, home and community, it is often difficult finding time to take care of all the details. Jaqua Realtors and Summit Home Mortgage understand your situation. We offer you home financing solutions designed to make the acquisition of a home convenient and easy. Summit offers a full complement of mortgage products provided by experienced, highly skilled home mortgage consultants located directly in our offices.

For more information, find a Summit team member at: www.summithomemtg.com/find-a-mortgage-pro

Southwest Michigan Title Agency

For title and closing services we selected Chicago Title as our partner in establishing Southwest Michigan Title Agency. Chicago Title, the nation’s largest title insurance company, brought a rich 150-year history and over 7,000 offices nationally, including a location in every county in Michigan. This affiliation assures our clients that this critical aspect of the transaction is in expert hands.

For more information, contact Southwest at 269.341.4734.

Arcadia Insurance Services

We have also chosen to partner with Nulty Insurance, a family-owned independent insurance agency, to form Arcadia Insurance Services. Nulty Insurance has provided excellent service throughout their 60-year history. Arcadia Insurance products include home, auto, rental properties, valuable items, boats, recreational vehicles, as well as personal umbrella liability policies. Our partnership in Arcadia Insurance Services assures that our clients receive the most comprehensive coverage provided by experts in the insurance field.

For more information, contact Arcadia at 269.488.0301.

Trusted Team of Advisors

With Jaqua Realtors as your partner, you won’t just complete a transaction. We offer a truly seamless real estate experience by offering all of the personalized services you need every step of the way.

Resources

Distinguished Homes

Distinguished Homes is a full service home staging and Interior design company located in West Michigan. Our goal is to provide the clients of Jaqua Realtors a positive experience in readying their home for the real estate market. We also provide professional interior design services to help your new house feel like home.

For more information, visit: www.mydistinguishedhome.com

Property Management

We offer customized property management assistance utilized by landlords across the United States. Our services can minimize your risks, reduce inconveniences and eliminate the hassles of everyday maintenance tasks while giving you peace of mind.

We provide account management with comprehensive access to your property data and account management tools.

For more information, contact our Rental Divisions at:

Kalamazoo/Portage 269.226.2996

Community Resources

Lake Michigan Shoreline: 269.983.8051

To help ease the relocation process, we take the hassle out of finding the best moving company and other services related to your move. Our Moving Coordinator simplifies your move by coordinating every aspect of your move and acts as your main point of contact.

Our Moving Coordinator is able to leverage all of Jaqua Realtors corporate relationships to provide multiple solutions to ensure you receive expert service, competitive pricing, and meet your time constraints for your move.

For helpful information regarding your next move or for more details, contact our Moving Coordinator 269.226.2994. Broker License: MC-972846-B

JaquaRealtors

Kalamazoo

Avid hotel Kalamazoo East, an IHG Hotel 3717 East Cork Street (269) 488-7073

Baymont Inn & Suites 2203 S 11th Street (269) 372-7999

Baymount Inn & Suites East 3800 East Cork Street (269) 344-8300

Candlewood Suites 3443 Retail Place Drive (269) 270-3203

Comfort Inn Downtown 739 West Michigan Avenue (269) 384-2800

Clarion Inn I-94 Near Expo Center 3640 East Cork Street (269) 220-3646

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson 1912 E Kilgore (269) 382-2303

Courtyard by Marriott 400 Trade Center Way (269) 290-7093

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kalamazoo 2615 Airview Boulevard (269) 903-2433

Delta by Marriott 2747 S 11th Street (269) 375-6000

Accommodations Guide

Fairfield Inn West 6420 Cracker Barrel Drive (269) 353-6400

Four Points by Sheraton 3600 East Cork Street (269) 385-3922

Hampton Inn & Suites 2610 Airview Boulevard (269) 343-0400

Hampton Inn & Suites 5059 South 9th Street (269) 372-1010

Henderson Castle B&B 100 Monroe Street (269) 344-1827

Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown 303 N Rose Street (269) 382-4000

Holiday Inn Express & Suites 3630 East Cork Street (269) 373-0770

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kalamazoo West 1315 Westgate Drive (269) 447-1700

Home2 Suites by Hilton Kalamazoo Downtown 303 N Rose Street (269) 276-0699

Homewood Suites by Hilton 500 Trade Center Way (269) 382-5817

Kalamazoo House B&B 447 West South Street (269) 382-0880

Kara’s Kottages 837 W. Main Street (269) 491-0765

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham 5597 South 9th Street (269) 353-3200

Quality Inn 3820 South Sprinkle Road (269) 743-2803

Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites 100 West Michigan Avenue (269) 343-3333

Residence Inn by Marriott 1500 East Kilgore Road (269) 349-0855

Staybridge Suites 2001 Seneca Lane (269) 372-8000

Stuart Avenue Inn 229 Stuart Avenue (269) 330-5350

The Oaklands 1815 W Michigan Avenue (269) 387-4073

TownePlace Suites by Marriott 5683 South 9th Street (269) 353-1500

WoodSpring Suites Kalamazoo 1653 S. 11th Street (269) 372-6300

Growth and Innovation

Backed by progressive leadership and 21st century innovation, the Greater Kalamazoo Area continues to be a powerhouse of growth and advancement. The community takes great pride in the decision of many corporate companies to make Greater Kalamazoo home. The unique combination of sustainability and continuing expansion, specifically in the Life Sciences industry, attracts and retains many newcomers to the area.

• Kalamazoo was ranked #1 lowest cost of living in 2021 among 263 urban-based on the Cost of Living Index which is 20% below the national average.

• Whirlpool in Benton Harbor has partnered with Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment to develop 80 apartments with a $60 million dollar investment.

• Graphic Packaging in Kalamazoo is undergoing a $600 million expansion, which will result in additional 140 jobs. Graphic Packaging manufactures 40% of North America’s recycled paperboard with environmentally friendly packaging resulting in a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, an 18% reduction of purchased energy, and a reduction of 300 million gallons of water per year.

• Stryker is investing $14 million to add 200,000 sq. ft. to their warehouse and distribution center in Portage.

• American Axle in Three Rivers is investing $40.6 million to their facility in Three Rivers which will add 100 jobs.

• Pfizer located in Portage, MI is inventing $450 million for their 420,000 sq. ft. expansion that is expected to create 450 jobs.

• Bronson - Cancer Center is investing $10.3 million to upgrade their radiation technology, new psychologists for pediatric oncology patients and families, and to help patients with out-of-pocket costs.

• Bronson is investing 19.3 million for their outpatient surgery center which is expected to complete 5,400 procedures annually.The outpatient surgery center will be the first phase for their 52-acre site, intended for Bronson Health Village.

• The Creamy in Kalamazoo was a $14.7 million development and includes 15 low-income apartments, 33 rent-controlled units, and has a 24/7 drop-in childcare center.

• Haymarket Plaza has an open-air plaza and community space to be used for networking, arts and entertainment and will display community art on the side of the building located on the northside of E Michigan Avenue between Haymarket and Warner Buildings.

• Harrison Circle Apartments was an 18 million dollar investment for their 5 story, 80 units of affordable housing ranging from $300$2,100/month. The building also includes a micro brewery (Outré Brewery) and the second location for Walnut & Park Café.

• 400 Rose is expected to open their new phase in early 2023. Their new phase will be a $25 million capital investment resulting in 91 new market-rate apartments, 10 apartments dedicated to workforce housing, and 500 sq. ft. of commercial space.

• Westgate Commons is a $4 million project in the Stuart neighborhood with 24,000 sq. ft. of mixed-use, 18 apartments starting at $1,500/month.

• Arcadia Lofts is a $25.8 million investment for their 3-story, mixed-use addition, and 64 residential units.

• Western Michigan University received the largest gift to a public institution in U.S. History in the amount of $550 million by an anonymous alumnus. $300 million will go to WMed, $50 million to Bronco Athletics, and 200 million toward need-based scholarships. 1,350 scholarships were given out in year one with these funds.

• Kalamazoo College received a donation from Larry Bell for $5.25 million to support the Center for Environmental Stewardship program which focuses on food justice and sustainability. Additional funds will go toward financial aid.

• KRESA received land and a $100 million gift to create a centralized career and technical education center for students in Kalamazoo County.The facility will be located next to Wings Stadium and is expected to be open in the fall of 2024.

• Several area school districts have seen substantial bonds passed that will support significant improvements in Kalamazoo Public Schools, Portage Public School, and Climax/Scotts Community Schools.

• Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative received a 3-year, $12.4 million grant from Stryker Johnston Foundation that will help provide early learning opportunities to children around 3 years old that do not have access to early learning.

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo

Community Demographics

Kalamazoo

Hospitals, Healthcare and Medical Research

Routine medical care in Kalamazoo County is supported by many outpatient clinics, including Borgess at Woodbridge Hills in Portage, Bronson Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw, Bronson Vicksburg Family Medicine and WMed Health, the clinical practice of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, which provides primary care and specialty services at several locations in Southwest Michigan.

Bronson Methodist Hospital

Bronson Healthcare is a not-for-profit, community-governed healthcare system headquartered in Kalamazoo. Bronson offers a full range of services from primary care to critical care across more than 60 locations. Bronson’s physicians and staff are nationally recognized for many exceptional achievements in quality, safety & service. In addition, Bronson Healthcare is a verified Level 1 Trauma Center and has been recognized for several accreditations and rankings.

Ascension Borgess Medical

Ascension Borgess has exhibited an unwavering commitment to building a health ministry that focuses on safety, experience and value since 1889. Together, Borgess physicians, associates and members offer a complete continuum of services to nearly 1 million people living in 10 counties in Southwest Michigan. Ascension Borgess offers area residents access to more than 40 medical specialties, including nationally recognized cardiac, orthopedic and neurological care.

West Michigan Cancer Center

West Michigan Cancer Center and Institute for Blood Disorders (WMCC) was built upon a joint vision of Borgess Health and Bronson Healthcare to provide a state-of-the-art treatment facility and ensure the availability of the best treatment capabilities. Patients are experiencing benefits of earlier detection and more effective treatment procedures as they are continuously investing in technology and clinical excellence. As a result, WMCC is able to treat and beat more cancers and hematologic diseases than any other time in history and ensure a better quality of life for survivors.

Air Care

In 1993, West Michigan Air Care (Air Care), a critical care transport helicopter service, became the first hospital based consortium air medical program in the United States. All of their flight nurses maintain certification in ACLS, PALS, NRP, and Transport Nurse Advanced Trauma Course (TNATC). Air Care’s partnership with Metro Aviation continues to grow and introduce changes including new aircraft design and advances in flight tracking systems.

WMed Health

Comprehensive, patient-centered primary and specialty care services. WMed Health is the clinical practice of Western Michigan University’s Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine; this teaching organization is host to over 330 providers offering a team approach to patient care. Care teams may include resident physicians seeking advanced training, experienced faculty physicians, advance practice providers, nurses, ancillary services staff, medical students, and other learners.

WMed Center for Clinical Research

Created through collaboration with community partners Ascension Borgess and Bronson Healthcare, Western Michigan University’s Homer Stryker, M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) Center for Clinical Research brings the latest, most advanced therapies to the region. This offers patients and volunteers access to cutting-edge clinical trials in a variety of indications.

Bronson Methodist Hospital

Ascension Borgess Medical

West Michigan Center

Educational Choices

Choosing the “right” school system for their children is one of the most important considerations during a relocation. Every family’s needs are different and personal. West Michigan and the Greater Kalamazoo area have a wide array of top-rated schools, with a vast selection of in-demand educational programs to meet every family and child’s unique needs.

The Kalamazoo Promise

When the Kalamazoo Promise initiative was first announced in 2005, it made national news with its innovative approach to economic development by encouraging Kalamazoo district enrollment and performance. In 2016, Time Magazine featured the Kalamazoo Promise on it’s list of 240 Reasons to Celebrate America Right Now, ringing in at number 145.

Kalamazoo Public School graduates receive the unique and generous Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship. Qualifying graduates of the Kalamazoo Public School system have the opportunity to attend the state college or university of his or her choice anywhere in Michigan - funded entirely by a group of anonymous donors.

Public Schools

The Greater Kalamazoo area is home to 19 Public School Districts that represent 4 Counties: Kalamazoo County Public Schools

Climax-Scotts Community Schools

Comstock Public Schools Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Gull Lake Community Schools

Kalamazoo Public Schools Parchment School District Portage Public Schools Schoolcraft Community Schools Vicksburg Community Schools

Allegan County ISD

Allegan Public Schools Martin Public Schools Plainwell Public Schools Otsego Public Schools

Charter Schools

Barry County ISD

Delton-Kellogg School District St. Joseph County ISD Three Rivers Community Schools Van Buren County ISD Bloomingdale Public School District Lawton Community School District Gobles Public School District Mattawan Consolidated School Paw Paw Public School District

Charter schools are operated using taxpayer dollars, are held to the same standards as other public schools, but operate independently and often require a higher level of parental involvement. Many charter schools are theme based and have waiting lists. Some of the Kalamazoo area charter schools are: Augusta Academy, Evergreen Academy, Forest Academy, Innocademy Allegan, Oakland Academy, Paramount Charter Academy, and the Shamrock Montessori Center.

Private Schools - Religious and Secular

Greater Kalamazoo is also home to a variety of private schools, both religious and secular. To learn more about the area’s private schools, here is a terrific online resource: https://www.privateschoolreview.com/michigan/kalamazoo

Educational Programs

Below, we’ve listed some of the most sought-after educational programs, and where to find them in the West Michigan/Greater Kalamazoo region.

STEM/STEAM

Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts & Design) Mathematics (STEM/ STEAM). Many school systems have opted to implement STEM/STEAM programs to allow students educational access to a potential pipeline to career-oriented majors that are likely to lead to growing-in-demand jobs post-graduation. Greater Kalamazoo is ripe with STEM/STEAM program opportunities:

The Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC) serves both public and private schools throughout Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties and provides high quality STEM opportunities that can reach every child in our state through direct student services.

Mattawan Consolidated Schools embeds STEAM lessons into their Technology classes beginning in Kindergarten; these lessons continue throughout student’s elementary experience. Secondary students transition from STEAM into Project Lead The Way (PLTW), which similarly empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges. Here are some additional Kalamazoo area schools that offer STEM/STEAM programs: Climax-Scotts Community Schools, Comstock Public Schools, Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools, Gull Lake Community Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Mattawan Consolidated Schools, Parchment School District, Portage Public Schools, Schoolcraft Community Schools, Vicksburg Community Schools, Allegan Public Schools, Innocademy Allegan, Martin Public Schools, Otsego Public Schools, Plainwell Public Schools.

International Baccalaureate International Baccalaureate (IB) is a comprehensive, and fully developed curriculum with an international focus; it is recognized at universities world-wide. This rigorous program is phenomenal for preparing highly motivated, selfdisciplined, and committed students for the challenges of college-level courses and the exacting assessments at universities. Portage Public Schools are proud to be the only school district in Southwest Michigan that offers International Baccalaureate; it is offered as a two year program for grades 11 and 12.

Educational Programs

Early Middle College / Dual Enrollment

Early Middle College (EMC) and Dual Enrollment (DP) Programs are very similar; both involve high school students participating in college courses while still being enrolled in high school and both have eligibility requirements (GPA, Testing). Both programs save students time and money as they pursue a college degree.

Kalamazoo Area Schools that offer EMC &/or Dual Enrollment: Comstock High School, Climax-Scotts Community Schools, Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools,Gull Lake Community Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Parchment School District, Portage Public Schools, Schoolcraft Community Schools, Vicksburg Community Schools, Allegan Public Schools, Plainwell Public Schools, Martin Public Schools, Otsego Public Schools, Three Rivers Community Schools

Balanced Calendar Schools

Also referred to as year round schools, these schools often schedule shorter Summer breaks to allow for a longer break in the Fall, Winter and Spring to keep kids engaged in their educational process all year long. Many families find this more convenient to planning vacations that won’t disrupt their child’s school year.

Area Balanced Calendar Schools include: Kalamazoo Public Schools (both elementary): Woodward School for Technology and Research, and Washington Writers’ Academy. Currently, Kalamazoo Public Schools are testing the efficacy of a Balanced Calendar at these two elementary schools and they are the only schools in the area on this schedule. There are several districts that are discussing potential implementation of a balanced calendar, but decisions have yet to be made.

Virtual Online Schools

Many families are opting for online schooling for their children; online schools can be publicly or privately funded, which means that some may be free while others may require tuition. Online schooling programs are sometimes offered as full-time options or part-time options (students still have most classes on-site).

Here are some Kalamazoo area online school resources: Allegan Public Schools Online Education, Comstock K-12 Virtual Academy, Climax-Scotts Virtual Academy, Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Virtual Academy, Gobles Virtual Academy, Gull Lake Virtual Partnership, Kalamazoo Public Schools - Expanded Online Learning Opportunity, Virtual Academy - Kalamazoo RESA, Michigan Online School, and Success Virtual Learning Centers.

Higher Education

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is a national research university enrolling nearly 22,562 students and offers 149 bachelor’s, 75 master’s, 32 doctoral programs, one program leading to a specialist degree and several others that lead to graduate-level certificates. Programs are offered through seven colleges: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Education and Human Development, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Fine Arts, Haworth College of Business, and Health and Human Services.

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) is a private medical school supported by private gifts, clinical revenue, research activity, student tuition, and endowment income established in 2012. WMed offers the full continuum of undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education in Southwest Michigan. Nowhere is a passion for achieving excellence more evident than it is at WMed, positioning them to be not just among the newest medical schools, but among the best medical schools.

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College is nationally renowned, and internationally focused four-year college of arts and sciences and has an enrollment of 1,436 students. The college was founded in 1833 and is among the 100 oldest institutions in the country. Since 1962, Kalamazoo College has offered its nationally-recognized curriculum, the K-Plan. The K-Plan is a four-part, integrated and highly-personalized approach to an excellent education in the libreal arts and sciences. With its open curriculum, comprehensive study-abroad programs, experiential learning, and required Senior Individualized Project, Kalamazoo College graduates do more in four years to enable them to do more in their lifetime.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College has an enrollment of nearly 8,500 students each semester; it offers two-year degrees, transfer credits for four-year colleges & universities, certification programs, and career academies. More than 130 courses are offered on KVCC’s two campuses.

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Mecca for the Arts

Art

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) is a cultural and geographic cornerstone. Adjacent to Bronson Park, it joins the Civic Theatre, Carver Center, the Kalamazoo Public Library and the Kalamazoo Public Museum as a central hub for the fine arts community. In addition to its permanent collection and frequent exhibits, the KIA Art School offers a complete curriculum in all the visual arts for both children and adults. KIA has also undergone an expansion of its galleries, gallery shop and school, and has added a new community cultural center auditorium.

The state-of-the-art Epic Center houses the Actors & Playwrights’ Initiative (API) Theatre, the Wellspring Dancers, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and numerous other cultural groups. The API Theatre is well known for its experimental theatre and presentations of original works by local playwrights. Tickets for all art events in Kalamazoo can be purchased at the centralized Epic Center ticket office. The Epic Center is also home to the Central City Tap House Restaurant as well as the Kalamazoo Nature Center gift shop.

The Battle Creek Art Center presents 10 to 12 exhibits each year that highlight diverse subjects from traditional arts to contemporary visual arts. Among the special events sponsored by the Art Center is an arts festival in the summer, an auction in the Fall, Artworks Holiday Market and tours of art museums in Detroit and Chicago. The Art Center also offers an interactive “kidspace” with each of the Art Center’s exhibits giving children the opportunity to respond to the current exhibit using art supplies and projects with instructions provided by the Art Center.

The United Arts Council of Battle Creek and the Marshall Friends of the Arts are very active in promoting an understanding and appreciation of all forms of art. Both organizations sponsor many art shows and programs throughout the year.

Music

Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan

University is renowned for its acoustical excellence. It hosts Broadway productions in addition to student theater, music and dance. Major European and American symphony orchestras and leading popular performers appear here, as does the city’s own metropolitan-rated Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. The 93-member Junior Symphony has a history of more than three decade

The State Theatre has been a fixture in downtown since 1927 offering a wide variety of intimate, live performances. Donald E. Overlander Bandshell in Portage is host to top national acts who have performed for crowds in front of the geometric bandshell behind the Portage fire and police headquarters.

Kalamazoo Institute of Art

Miller Auditorium

Mecca for the Arts

Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra

Music (Continued)

The Gilmore Keyboard Festival hosts over two weeks of concerts, recitals, jazz clubs and films featuring accomplished pianists and keyboard and emerging talented musicians. The festival is internationally recognized as America’s most prestigious piano music festival.

Kalamazoo also has several instrumental-choral groups and concert bands, a wind ensemble, a resident quartet, children’s chorus, and a full season of contemporary music. The Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus and Orchestra has earned national recognition.

The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra is a 50-member orchestra performing live concert series and offers educational concerts for students.

The Music Center of South Central Michigan enriches the lives of thousands of children and adults throughout the Battle Creek region with exceptional symphony and choral concerts, affordable music lessons for all ages and abilities, and free or low-cost music programs in the schools. The Music Center consists of the United Arts Council, Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, Community Music School, Battle Creek Boys choir, Girls’ Chorus and Community Chorus. Accomplished young musicians in Calhoun County can participate in the Battle Creek Youth Orchestra.

Battle Creek is also home to the Brass Band of Battle Creek, a 31-member brass band who have been described as the “RollsRoyce” of brass bands.

Theatre

The Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo, is home for the Civic Players and is one of several permanent community and college theater companies. In addition, the Civic Theatre offers professional direction for aspiring performing artists with the Jr. Civic Players and Young Adult educational programs. Built in 1929, The Civic features a house which can accommodate 500 patrons. Other great area theaters include Augusta Barn Theater, Michigan’s oldest professional Equity summer stock theatre company. For over 40 years, the New Vic has entertained audiences in a unique atmosphere with comfortable cabaret-style seating & intimate size.

Theater in Battle Creek is represented by numerous stage groups and companies. The Battle Creek Civic Theatre offers the community a diverse spectrum of performing arts, varied stage presentations and educational opportunities. Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall is home to the Marshall Civic Players who present a wide array of performances. The Civic Players provide enjoyable and gripping live theatre to the community.

The activities and performances by all these groups and many more, are varied and plentiful enough to satisfy even the most demanding cultural palate.

Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra

Photos courtesy of Calhoun County

Bureau and Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra

Recreation and Leisure

From tobogganing to tennis, sailing to sky diving, the Kalamazoo area is rich with recreation potential.

Kalamazoo County offers 83 lakes with public access points, as well as dozens of rivers and streams. Or if it’s deep water that thrills you, Lake Michigan is just 45 minutes west of Kalamazoo.

Naturalists can take advantage of the Kalamazoo Nature Center or the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, which provide families with a vast range of learning experiences. The peaceful hiking trails in Kellogg Forest, Al Sabo Land Preserve, Celery Flats, Bishops Bog, the Kal-Haven Trail, and Gourdneck State Game Area also provide prime opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek has grown to be one of the leading cultural attractions in the region and includes 433 acres of natural forests, wetlands and the Wild Africa Exhibit including one of largest giraffe herds in the country.

In the future, the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will encompass 34 miles of trails threading throughout Kalamazoo County. Currently, 22 miles are open. When completed, KRV Trail will connect to more than 140 miles of trails, connecting Battle Creek to Lake Michigan and eventually Lake Michigan all the way to Lake Huron.

Golfers can choose from 21 public and three private courses in the Kalamazoo area. Tennis players have three indoor facilities or dozens of outdoor courts from which they may choose. Courts are also available throughout the area for racquetball and handball and a number of health clubs also exist. Snow sports enthusiasts can hit the slopes of Timber Ridge or Bittersweet resorts nearby or opt for one of many other choices within a few hours’ drive.

Prefer to watch from the safety of the sidelines? Spectators can enjoy a variety of local programs, too. Western Michigan University provides a full complement of sports competing at NCAA Division I levels, including a hockey program with a strong presence in the prestigious Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Kalamazoo hosts the National Junior Tennis Championships each summer, bringing world-class tennis to the local scene.

Soccer fans will enjoy the opportunity to watch the Kalamazoo Kingdom compete in the Premier Development League of the U.S. Inter-Regional Soccer League. In 2016, Kalamazoo FC began playing their inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League. Hockey fans will enjoy the ECHL Hockey League’s K-Wings. The Kalamazoo Growlers baseball team is part of the Northwoods League, a summer league made up of top college players from North America; home games are played at Homer Stryker Field.

Local youth programs abound in the Kalamazoo area, too, including Little League Baseball, Little League Softball, AYSO and indoor soccer leagues, Optimist Hockey, youth basketball, and SWMS (Southwest Michigan Swims).

Public Golf Courses

Angels Crossing

Vicksburg • 18 holes (269) 649-2700 www.golfangelscrossing.com

Bedford Valley Battle Creek • 18 holes (269) 965-3385 www.gulllakeview.com

Crestview Golf Course Kalamazoo • 18 holes (269) 349-1111 www.crestviewgcofkalamazoo.com

Eastern Hills Golf Course Kalamazoo • 27 holes (269) 385-8175 www.kmgagolf.com/eastern_hills

Grand Prairie Golf Course Kalamazoo • 9 holes (269) 388-4447 www.grandprairiegolfcourse.com

Gull Lake View Golf Course & Resort Augusta • 36 holes (East & West courses) (269) 731-4149 www.gulllakeview.com

Heritage Glen Golf Club Paw Paw • 18 holes (269) 657-2552 www.heritageglengolf.com

Hickory Ridge Golf Course Galesburg • 27 holes (269) 382-6212 www.golfhickoryridge.com

Recreation and Leisure

Kalamazoo

Indian Run Golf Club Scotts • 18 holes (269) 327-1327 www.irgolfclub.com

Island Hills Golf Club Centreville • 18 holes (269) 467-7261 www.islandhillsgolf.com

Lake Doster Golf Club Plainwell • 18 holes (269) 685-5308 www.lakedostergolf.com

Lynx Golf Course Otsego • 18 holes (269) 694-5969 lynxgc.com

Milham Park Golf Club Kalamazoo • 18 holes (269) 344-7639 www.kmgagolf.com/milham_park

Olde Mill Golf Club Schoolcraft • 18 holes (269) 679-5625 679golf.com

Red Arrow Golf Course Kalamazoo • 9 holes (269) 492-7800 www.kmgagolf.com/red_arrow

Ridgeview Golf Course Kalamazoo • 18 holes (269) 375-8821 www.ridgeviewgolf.com

States Golf Club

Vicksburg • 18 holes (269) 649-1931 statesgolfcourse.com

Stoatin Brae

Augusta • 18 holes (269) 220-3976 gulllakeview.com/golf/stoatin-brae

Stonehedge Augusta • 36 holes (North & South courses) (269) 731-2300 www.gulllakeview.com

The Prairies Golf Club

Kalamazoo • 18 holes (269) 343-3906 www.prairiesgolf.com

Private Golf Courses

Kalamazoo Country Club Kalamazoo • 18 holes (269) 345-6149 www.kalamazoocountryclub.com

Gull Lake Country Club

Richland • 18 holes (269) 629-9311 www.gulllakecc.com

The Moors Golf Club

Portage • 18 holes (269) 323-8873 www.moorsgolf.com