Forest Hills Public Schools

All Learners Achieving Individual Potential

Bus update for the week of March 1.  Service suspended for: #5 – Pine Ridge, #5 – Central Middle/Central High, #6 – Northern Trails, #6 – Northern Middle/Northern High, #74 Knapp Forest, #74 – Eastern Middle/Eastern High, #75 – Central Woodlands, #75 – Central Middle/Central High. Service resumes for: #40 – Northern Trails, #40 – Northern Middle/Northern High, #65 – Thornapple, #65 – Central Middle/Central High, #72 – Knapp Forest, #72 – Eastern Middle/Eastern High, #93 – Pine Ridge, #93 – Northern Middle/Northern High.

Home > Fifth and Sixth Grade > Goodwillie Environmental School

Goodwillie Environmental School

Goodwillie Students

  • Love being outside in all kinds of weather
  • Enjoy working with others but can work independently as well
  • Are comfortable with or curious about nature
  • Enjoy physical activity
  • Are self-disciplined and persistent about learning
  • Are interested in science and investigation
  • Learn best through hands-on experiences

School Day Schedule

Full Day Start/End Time:
8:10 a.m.-2:35 p.m.

Half Day Start/End Time:
8:10 a.m.-11:20 a.m.

School Information

Goodwillie Environmental School
8400 Two Mile Road NE
Ada, MI 49301

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Main Office: (616) 493-8633
Fax: (616) 682-1428

Administrators:
Judy Walton
Jason Yelding

Lead Program Teachers:
Scott Moorehead
Beth Dondit
Megan Ayars 
Brent Southland

Teaching Assistants:
Kathy Gill
Martha Slubowski

Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cover the core subjects - math, science, language arts, and social studies?
Yes, in an integrated and project-based format. Our curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards/FHPS Curriculum Standards.
How much time do you spend outside?
Our outdoor activities fluctuate daily due to projects, artists, and the weather.
What about specials?
Music
GES offers band & orchestra to 6th grade students. In addition, 5th grade performs two musicals and 6th grade one musical each year.

Physical Education
Physical education is integrated into everything we do. Activities include but are not limited to the daily hike in from the bus stop, chicken chores, shoveling snow, caring for school grounds, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Kids typically go home tired each and every day!

World Language
We do not offer a specific world language class, however our students are exposed to various cultures and their languages through our 5th grade Native American project, and our 6th grade International project.

Art
Our Artists in Residence (AIR) program is unique to Goodwillie. The program enhances the curriculum by providing students with a connection to real life specialists from within the community, who share their excitement and depth of knowledge with students, while integrating their expertise into curriculum projects.

Do you offer hot lunch?
We don’t have a cafeteria with daily hot lunch, but we offer a district lunch option, which is delivered by Food Service on a daily basis.
Do students really eat outside every day?
Yes, unless there is a thunderstorm, torrential downpour, or severe sub-zero temperatures.
What about transportation?
There are regional bus stops on all sides of the district (Central, Eastern, & Northern). This site acts as a hub for your child to then get on a bus to GES. Parents can either drive their son or daughter to the hub, or their child can take the neighborhood middle/high school bus to the hub. The afternoon transportation is similar to the morning; students are bused to ⅚ buildings (Central Woodlands, Knapp Forest, Northern Trails and Orchard View) where parents have the option of picking them up or students may ride neighborhood buses to existing stops in the neighborhoods in those attendance areas.
What about camps?
During the two year journey at Goodwillie, students will attend three camps. One in the fall of 5th grade, and two (fall & spring) during their 6th grade year. Camps include canoeing, backpacking, and other outdoor activities.
How do I nominate my student?

A letter will be mailed in early March to all 4th grade families in the Forest Hills Public Schools. This letter will explain the nomination/selection process and will include an online parent/guardian nomination form to submit if your student is interested.

Read more about the selection process at Goodwillie

Who is eligible to apply?
Students must be enrolled in Forest Hills by end of 1st semester of 4th grade year.
How are students selected?
Students are selected using the following:

  • Student must be entering 5th Grade
  • Parent Nomination/Evaluation
  • Teacher Evaluation
  • Student Self Evaluation
  • Student Interview
  • Ecological Survey
  • Lottery for students who meet the criteria