It’s a class project unlike any other.
Students from Lynnwood High School have started building a house near Mill Creek. It’s the 36th house that’s being constructed as part of a training program from the Edmonds School District, Edmonds Community College and Lynnwood Rotary. Students working on the project can earn scholarships and credit that will apply toward a Construction Management degree from the college.
“The house project has kept many students in school because they found an interest in something they could do. Building houses has given them a way to be successful. This is good for students and the community,” said Travis Snider, Rotary Foundation President.
So far the house’s foundation has been poured and the sub-flooring is in.
The students are getting plenty of help from professionals, including Brad Scott of Brad Scott Interiors. “I have been gathering bids from suppliers and subcontractors, and they are being generous,” he said. Smith’s company will contribute interior finishes to the house.
The Lynnwood Rotary paid the initial cost of the land and materials. The students will frame the house and do any of the other work they can. Experts will handle the specialty work such as wiring.
The house is expected to be finished this June. Proceeds from the sale will go back to the Rotary Foundation to pay for future house projects.
This really is a great example my of something my husband was talking with our neighbor the other day about, and that is that our schools need more vocational programs. Not all students want to be math and English professors. Some are going to want to build and fix things. Isn’t it better to give them an education that makes sense for them rather than ramrodding them through a ‘one size fits all’ school?