Annual Luncheon hosted by the West Ottawa Special Education Department and Holland Rotary Club
When Lakewood Elementary was named a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School by the Michigan Department of Education, the recognition reflected more than academic excellence. It also showcased how strong systems of support, including services for students with disabilities, can lift outcomes across an entire school community.
The recognition places Lakewood among an elite group of schools nationwide that demonstrate both exceptional student achievement and effective instructional leadership. But what sets Lakewood apart is its whole-school approach to meeting individual needs—a model that shows how intense instruction and special education can reinforce one another.
A Foundation of Collaboration
Lakewood Elementary is part of West Ottawa Public Schools, a district that serves more than 6,000 students across Holland and the surrounding townships. Roughly 1 in 10 students in West Ottawa Public Schools receive special education services, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That figure represents hundreds of children whose success depends on careful planning, communication, and teamwork.
At Lakewood, those systems are firmly in place. Grade-level teachers, special educators, and interventionists meet regularly to review student progress data and adjust instruction. Specialists such as speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists are integrated into classroom routines rather than working apart from them. “This structure allows students who receive special education services to learn alongside their peers and participate fully in the school day”, said Becky Oudbier, Director of Special Education at West Ottawa Public Schools.
Teaching for Growth, Not Just Grades
Lakewood’s instructional framework is a statewide model that provides early, evidence-based interventions for students who need additional support. Teachers regularly review progress data in reading and math, adjusting instruction to keep each child on pace.
The result is a seamless support system: students with disabilities benefit from early intervention and individualized planning, while teachers receive the structure and data needed to improve instruction continuously.
“This structure allows students who receive special education services to learn alongside their peers and participate fully in the school day.”
Becky Oudbier
Director of Special Education,
West Ottawa Public Schools
District-Wide Commitment to Specialized Support
West Ottawa Public Schools has built a strong foundation for special education in partnership with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD). Through this collaboration, students across the Holland area have access to specialized programs, assistive technology, and transition planning that extends through early adulthood.
A Model for Sustained Success
The Michigan Department of Education’s 2025 Blue Ribbon designation recognized Lakewood for sustained academic growth and effective instructional practices. While the award highlights student outcomes, it also reflects the systems behind them: collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a culture that values specialized support as part of everyday teaching.
Sources:
Michigan Department of Education. (2025, October 30). MDE Announces 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools. https://www.michigan.gov/mde/news-and-information/press-releases/2025/10/30/sixteen-michigan-blue-ribbons-schools-being-honored
National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). West Ottawa Public Schools – District Profile. https://nces.ed.gov/
West Ottawa Public Schools. (n.d.). Lakewood Elementary. Retrieved November 5, 2025, from https://www.westottawa.net/schools/lakewood-elementary/
West Ottawa Public Schools. (2025, October 31). Lakewood Elementary — a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School! [Facebook post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/WestOttawaPublicSchools/posts/west-ottawa-public-schools-is-proud-to-celebrate-lakewood-elementary-a-2025-nati/1343133791156536/
