What is the Muskegon Opportunity?

Historically, families and developing children in the Muskegon region enjoyed successful economies that did not require a high level of education. Youth could choose to complete a minimal education or even drop out of school, develop a skill in lumbering or manufacturing and be assured of work that would provide a good living for themselves and their family. For generations, for those with deep roots in Muskegon as well as those who came to the area as part of the WWII mobilization and during the 50’s and early 60’s, education was rarely a necessity, priority or expectation.

The Muskegon of today however is a different place, driven by a very different set of expectations — a globally oriented, knowledge-driven economy that requires a highly skilled, technologically savvy and educated work force. For this community, with a large percentage of residents who possess less than a high school education, the Muskegon Opportunity (MO) offers a pathway and incentive to participate in a national paradigm shift that is, in many communities, already well underway. Participation in the MO will prepare the youth of the Muskegon region to successfully compete in the new global economy and provide an opportunity to achieve economic prosperity. It is our sincere belief that creating a community Culture of Learning and supporting access to PreK-14 universal education for every student in our Muskegon area schools will provide the most important foundation for personal economic success in the new world order; one that is characterized by a continuing and accelerated loss of high pay / low skill jobs and new life / career challenges for which many at present are woefully unprepared.

It is the intent of the Muskegon Opportunity Program to provide two-year program, granting safety net scholarships to graduates of any school, (public, parochial or charter) within the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) boundaries. These scholarships will assure every graduating high-school student in the Muskegon ISD area a post-secondary education and training opportunity at Muskegon Community College, Baker College of Muskegon or at a limited number of technical schools/programs as recommended by the Muskegon Area Career Technical Center.