Northwest Education Services: A Comprehensive Overview

Northwest Education Services (NWES), formerly known as TBAISD (Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District), is a regional educational service agency committed to serving over 24,000 students in Northwest Michigan. As one of 56 regional educational service agencies within Michigan, NWES plays a vital role in supporting and enhancing the educational landscape of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

Mission and Vision

At the heart of NWES is a clear mission: "Working together to develop learners with purpose, strong schools, and engaged communities." This mission is driven by a powerful vision: "Partnering to serve, learn and lead to ensure every learner will have pathways to a meaningful life." These statements underscore NWES's commitment to fostering student success and community engagement.

Serving a Diverse Region

NWES serves a diverse educational ecosystem, encompassing 16 public school districts, six public school academies, and twelve private and parochial schools. This broad reach allows NWES to impact a significant portion of the student population in the five-county service area.

Demographic Overview

The student body served by Northwest Education Services is composed of:

83.4% White
1.8% Black
0.4% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander
6% Hispanic/Latino
4.4% American Indian or Alaska Native
0.3% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
3.7% Two or more races
0% Unspecified race or ethnicity

In terms of gender distribution, 46% of students are female, and 54% are male. Additionally, 9.4% of students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meal program, highlighting the agency's role in supporting economically disadvantaged students. The district’s minority enrollment is 10%.

Collaborative Approach

NWES distinguishes itself through its collaborative approach. It works closely with local school districts to identify specific needs and tailor services to improve student learning outcomes. This collaborative spirit extends to addressing children’s special needs, developing teachers’ expertise, and maximizing the efficient use of resources on a regional scale. The ISD and its local school districts determine the services needed to improve student learning, serve children’s special needs, develop teachers’ expertise and work collaboratively to maximize services and resources on a regional scale.

Comprehensive Services and Programs

NWES offers a wide array of educational programs and services designed to support individual growth and achievement. These services cater to students of all ages and abilities, from Kindergarten through adulthood. The agency's commitment to meeting state and federal legislative mandates and enriching school programs throughout the five-county service area is evident in its diverse offerings.

Key Areas of Support

NWES provides targeted support in several key areas:

Content Tutoring: Personalized assistance in specific subjects to enhance understanding and academic performance.
Study Skills Coaching: Equipping students with effective learning strategies to improve their overall academic approach.
Learning Difference Support: Addressing the unique needs of students with learning differences to ensure they can thrive academically.
Executive Function Coaching: Developing essential executive function skills, such as organization, planning, and time management.
Standardized Test Prep: Preparing students for standardized tests to maximize their performance and opportunities.
College Application Support: Guiding students through the college application process, from essay writing to navigating admissions requirements.
Writing Assistance: Providing support and guidance to improve writing skills across various academic contexts.

NWES also extends its support to parents, offering best practices for supporting their child’s academic development. Additionally, the agency works with adults pursuing professional growth, recognizing the importance of lifelong learning.

A Supportive Learning Environment

NWES is committed to providing a supportive, one-on-one environment for all students. Its team of coaches is dedicated to cultivating a love of learning and helping students achieve academic success and develop self-efficacy by learning how to learn. The agency's philosophy centers around empowering students to become active agents in their own growth.

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"Teaching Students to Fish"

NWES embraces the parable of the starving man and the fishing village, emphasizing the importance of teaching students to "fish." This philosophy underscores the agency's commitment to developing empowered learners who can take charge of their own education.

Personalized Tutoring

Recognizing that each student has unique needs, NWES provides one-to-one tutoring tailored to individual requirements. Coaches and students are carefully matched based on content expertise and personality fit, ensuring a supportive and effective learning experience.

Emphasis on Study Skills

NWES places a strong emphasis on teaching effective study skills. The agency recognizes that success comes from developing a growth mindset about abilities and embracing mistakes and failures as learning opportunities.

Faculty and Staff

NWES boasts a dedicated team of educators and professionals committed to student success. The agency's staff includes:

Teachers: 100% of teachers within Northwest Education Services are licensed.
Counselors: The district has an unspecified number of full-time counselors on staff dedicated to supporting students' social and emotional well-being. The student-to-teacher ratio is lower than the state average, at 5:1.

Key Personnel

NWES is led by a team of experienced professionals, including:

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Greg: With nearly three decades as an educator, Greg founded NWES in 1995. He emphasizes the use of proven strategies that help all types of students including those with learning differences. He also works with parents on how to better support academic success at home.
Chris Loper: Chris has been with Northwest Educational Services since 2014. He no longer coaches students for us, but he still writes our blog. Together with Greg, he co-teaches Parenting for Academic Success.
Andrew Durtschi: Andrew has years of experience working as a writer and takes a holistic approach to helping each student, not just with the task at hand, but with strategies and study habits that will serve them for years to come.
Cami Sheppard: Cami enjoys listening deeply for what her students really need and supports students in English and French.
Janet Young: Janet believes with the right inspiration and tools, anybody can love to learn.
Ethan Widlansky: He helps young writers find their voices.
Sharron Starling: A dedicated admission professional with over thirty years of experience.
Patrick Westgaard: He is comfortable with students of all ages who are excited to learn and would love to help you with your language studies, math, physics, or computer science.
Ross Williams: He enjoys helping others learn math in a one-on-one environment or in small groups.
Maya Cowan: Maya’s extensive experience with students who have unique learning needs allows her to customize lessons for each student.
Ember Reed: Ember is committed to helping students understand the complexities of a topic and is adept at helping students both formulate their own ideas about a topic and strengthening the technical writing skills necessary for the clear expression of those ideas.
Lauren Moulding: Lauren enjoys her time spent in the outdoors or in a library with a good book.

Academic Performance

While specific high school data is unavailable, test score proficiency data for elementary and middle school students provides insights into academic performance:

Elementary School: 48% of students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 30% tested at or above that level for math.
Middle School: 48% of students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 30% tested at or above that level for math.

Financial Overview

Northwest Education Services demonstrates a significant investment in its students, spending $71,266 per student each year. The agency has an annual revenue of $81,044,000, reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality educational services.

Community Engagement

NWES actively engages with the community through various initiatives and partnerships. The agency is thrilled to announce that the 2026 CherryT Ball Drop will benefit the North Ed Foundation.

Recognizing Excellence

NWES recognizes and celebrates the contributions of its staff and partners. This month, they’re proud to recognize Lisa Baldyga, a passionate and dedicated JMG specialist with Networks Northwest, serving both the Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center and Northwestern Michigan College.

Supporting Adult Education

NWES recognizes the importance of adult education and family literacy. Adult Education opens doors to new possibilities - from career advancement and higher education to personal growth.

Business Policies

NWES offers flexible business policies to accommodate the diverse needs of its clients:

Free Consultations: New clients are invited to a free consult with Greg.
No Long-Term Commitment: Most clients choose to set up regular weekly appointments, but you’re welcome to see us on a short-term or call-as-needed basis.
Pay-As-You-Go Service: Cash or check, payable to NWES.

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