Kent ISD — “Hi, how are you doing?” Jared Herron greeted a student as he walked the short distance from his office to the renovated MySchool@Kent space.
“It’s important to me that students are greeted when they come to the school,” he told this reporter. “I want them to feel welcomed to our program.”
Last November, Herron became principal of MySchool@Kent, the online program offered by Kent ISD for students in grades 6-12 within the intermediate school district. He replaced Gerry Verway, who was recently named Kent ISD Adult Education director.
Herron also handles day-to-day operations of Kent ISD’s early college program Launch U, which shares building space with MySchool@Kent, under the leadership of Director Joe Lienesch.
“Herron was selected because of his expertise in helping students navigate non-traditional pathways to earning a high school diploma,” said Kent ISD Superintendent Ron Gorman.
Before coming to MySchool@Kent, Herron spent 12 years at Kenowa Hills Public Schools as principal for the district’s alternative high school program, Pathways, which has an online learning focus similar to MySchool@Kent.
Because of his familiarity with online learning, Herron said he looks forward to working with students to provide a personalized education that combines the best of in-person and online instruction to meet their needs.
“One of my goals is to provide structure for students to be successful along with the opportunity to think beyond high school so that the students understand why they are getting a diploma,” he said.
Herron said he is committed to creating a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially and emotionally; he sees that same goal in the program’s positive behavioral interventions and support model, which focuses on flexibility, accountability and a sense of belonging.
He also looks forward to building on existing programs, such as the partnership with MichiganWorks! which educates students about different career paths.
Walk Through the New Space
The new principal said he’s excited to do this work in a newly renovated facility, which offers many opportunities for the team to expand those programs for students. The two-year project to renovate the former Kent Innovation High School was completed this past winter.
The renovation added more space for both MySchool@Kent and Launch U, which will allow both programs to expand and grow. In the past, Launch U had to cap its attendance due to space restrictions, Herron said; the program currently has 196 students.
Since the pandemic, MySchool@Kent, like other online school programs, has seen attendance grow to the current enrollment of 250-275 students. While the majority do their work on an online platform, Herron said students may visit the facility for testing, one-on-one meetings with instructors or working with coaches who help students stay on track and meet their goals.
In the new space, students from both programs will find a central office connecting the two. The expanded office area provides private spaces for counselors and social workers to meet with students and families. The MySchool@Kent principal, registrar and counseling offices are also located here.
Directly across from the office are the doors leading into MySchool@Kent. The area was created with flexibility, Herron said; two new classrooms have a sliding panel so the rooms can be expanded for orientation and other meetings.
The space also includes another classroom, a testing area and a main area for students to study. Open-style cubicles provide opportunities for teachers and coaches to meet with students and make connections, Herron said, which helps to build the student’s sense of belonging.
In the Launch U hallway, the space was expanded to provide five classrooms and a print room. Both areas received new flooring, carpeting, paint, redesigned electrical outlets and furniture.
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