High School Students Take Hands-on Approach to Home Building in Macomb

When Sarah Brumitt decided to add a construction technology course to her schedule at L’Anse Creuse High School, she wasn’t sure what to expect. A senior who plans on becoming an architect, she knew she’d be one of just two girls in the class, plus going to a job site everyday to construct a brand new home seemed daunting at first.

“Sarah asked all the right questions and I just told her how much better an architect she’d be if she took this course, it was very exciting,”  said Dean Sabelhaus, construction technology instructor at the Frederick V. Pankow Center.

“Of course the class has had its ups and downs, but the most interesting thing is just watching how fast the house seemed to go up,” Brumitt said. “And the thing I enjoyed the most was climbing on the trusses and working on the roof.”

It takes roughly a year to complete the homes and a majority of the students’ time is spent at the site. Completing four houses on Debbie Court in the Urban Meadows Subdivision in Macomb Township has kept students busy in the program over the last five years. Four of those homes have been sold since January, Sabelhaus said.

Funding for the projects comes from L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, which purchased six lots in the subdivision from a developer back in 2004. Sabelhaus, who has been a teacher in the district for 18 years, said he took over the construction technology program in 2005.

With a background that includes being a licensed builder, Sabelhaus was eager to offer such on-site experience to his students.

“When I came in they had a small program that did projects like sheds and garages but I’ve been a builder all my life so it was great to start the houses again,” Sabelhaus said.

Noting that the last house sold for $9,000 more than it was appraised for he said people are appreciative of the quality of the homes students build that feature geo-thermo heating and heavy insulation.

All the money from the sale of the houses goes right back to the district.

“Students are currently working on a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch that should be available for sale early next school year,” Sabelhaus said. “The students do all the rough construction, roofing, drywall, paint, cabinetry and trim, and siding. Students also work with block and brick masons to complete the foundation and brick façade.”

Most of the students in the program come in as seniors because being able to fit a two credit elective into their schedule can be tough. Still, Sarah is glad she did.

“Of course I would recommend this course to others, especially if they are considering going into architecture like I am,” Brumitt said. “It will definitely help any one that’s planning on going into career fields that involve buildings, or construction, or even design.”

This past semester, more than 50 students were enrolled in the course. There are four course sessions per school day, each one 82 minutes long.