Sheboygan Students Build the Future: Celebrating the 27th Student-Built Home
On September 10, 2024, North and South High School students, staff, and community members gathered in the Stonebrook Crossing Subdivision on the south side of Sheboygan for an inspiring Groundbreaking Ceremony embarking on their 27th student-built home These students, enrolled in Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes, an incredible testament to the Sheboygan Area School District’s commitment to hands-on learning.
Since the program began in 1998, hundreds of students have learned the art of building homes from the ground up. Each home is not only a physical structure but a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and skills honed by these future leaders in architecture and construction. The homes built by the students are sold, with proceeds reinvested in scholarships, tools, equipment, and purchasing land for future builds, ensuring the program continues to thrive.
This project, known as House Construction Project 2024, stands as a beacon of creativity and collaboration. Under the guidance of instructor and project manager Ted Schermetzler, the program offers students real-world experience in design and construction. South High School senior Katelyn Nettekoven designed this year’s home, a remarkable achievement selected from the designs created by students in the Project Lead the Way Civil Engineering and Architecture class.
What makes this project so significant is not just the final product—a beautifully designed home—but the invaluable skills students acquire along the way. Working closely with professionals from Werner Homes, the students do as much of the labor as possible, learning everything from laying foundations to installing walls and roofing. This is no mere classroom exercise; it is authentic, hands-on education, where students spend two class periods at the construction site each day.
The impact of this program extends beyond education—students are making a tangible difference in their community, contributing to local housing and learning skills that will benefit them for years to come. These talented young individuals deserve our highest praise for their dedication and commitment to learning through doing.
With each new project, they continue to demonstrate that they are not just building houses—they are building their futures.
For more information on the Sheboygan Area School District House Construction Program, you can visit the school district’s official website(Sheboygan K12)(1330 & 101.5 WHBL).
