From first-ever first days to the first day of senior year, students returned to classrooms across Coopersville Area Public Schools this week, beginning the 2026–27 school year and continuing a story 135 years in the making.
There is an unmistakable energy that comes with a new school year. Students reconnect with friends. Teachers welcome new classes. Families settle back into familiar routines. And across campus, a new year of learning, opportunities and memories begins.
This year, that sense of possibility is captured in a simple message:
Every student grows. Every Bronco grows.
In his welcome to the CAPS community, Superintendent Matt Spencer reflected on the partnerships, traditions and shared commitment to students that help define Coopersville.
“We can all take pride in our partnerships, which foster community togetherness, rich traditions, and a unique focus on our students’ well-being and their learning opportunities.”
Growing Together
That commitment was already in action before students arrived for the first day.
CAPS educators came together for professional learning and collaboration, including Solution Tree’s PLC at Work® Institute, with a focus on strengthening how staff work together to support student learning and growth throughout the year.
CAPS also welcomed several new educators to the district: Olivia Selewski, kindergarten at West; Elizabeth Garwood, ASD teacher at South serving K–5 students; Will Tobias, special education teacher at East; Andrew Johnson, social studies; Jarrod Heethuis, physical education at West and East; and Stephanie Pindar, speech services at West.
As these educators begin their CAPS journey, others are marking milestones that represent years of dedication to Coopersville students and families.
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Celebrating Years of Service
This year, Karen Hecksel, Amy Matzen, Amanda Osterhart, Kelly Rupert and Pamela Zolinski are celebrating 20 years of service to CAPS.
William Breen, Elisha Conran, Erin Lenau, Allison Nieboer, Courtney VanWyk, Christine Yeakey and Stephanie Schmidt are celebrating 10 years of service.
That’s a decade, or two, of showing up for students, supporting families and making an impact on generations of Broncos.
Those milestones carry special meaning as CAPS marks its 135th year. For more than a century, Coopersville schools have grown alongside the community they serve. Much has changed, but generations of students, educators, families and community members have continued to shape the district and carry its traditions forward.
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The Next Chapter
Some Broncos walked through our doors this week for the very first time. Others returned a little taller, a little older and ready for what comes next. For the Class of 2027, the first day marked the beginning of one final year at CAPS.
As Spencer shared, that sense of a new beginning extends throughout the entire CAPS community:
“Perhaps most tangible is the undeniable energy that each new school year brings to our students, educators, and community. It truly is amazing!”
That energy is already filling classrooms, hallways, fields and gathering spaces across campus.
New Broncos are finding their place. Longtime educators are beginning another year of service. Students are writing the next pages of their own stories, and together, we are beginning the next chapter of ours.
135 years of CAPS. And we’re just getting started.
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