From Classroom to Real Estate: Two Years in the Making
Over the past two years, a dedicated group of 48 senior Building Trades students poured their hearts and hands into building a beautiful new home at 126 Goodwin Drive, Allegan, MI 49010. Under the guidance of teacher Andy Findling, students collaborated to make choices for every detail, choosing between different options, then voting as a collective. The result? A thoughtfully designed, brand-new ranch-style home now listed for sale.
According to the MLS listing, the home offers:
3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Spacious open layout with a center-island kitchen flowing into dining and living areas
Jack-and-Jill bedrooms with a shared bath
Convenient main-floor laundry
Lower daylight basement primed for finishing—plumbed for an additional full bath
Deck off the living room, and cleverly integrated hidden storage spaces
Built in 2025 on a 0.29-acre lot, the home spans 1,536 sq ft, featuring vinyl siding, asphalt roofing, insulated windows, and efficient forced-air heating with central air conditioning. The asking price is $340,000.
Over two full school years:
48 students: All seniors in their second year of Building Trades—participated in every stage of the build.
Teacher Andy Findling presented multiple options for each phase—foundation, framing, design elements, finishes—and the student group voted to choose the path forward.
This approach ensured each student had a voice and a stake in the final product.
Through this hands-on experience, students not only learned technical skills such as carpentry, plumbing, and framing, but also project planning, teamwork, and decision-making. They managed budgets, timelines, design preferences, and real-world problem-solving.
The Building Trades program prepares students with practical, job-ready skills through progressive, hands-on learning.
Course Description:
In the first year, students focus on safety and the use of hand and power tools. By the end of the year, they construct sheds and more advanced structures while gaining a foundation in all aspects of construction.
In the second year, students take their learning further with real-world experience building full residential homes, such as the one now for sale on Goodwin Drive.
What Students Learn:
Use of hand and power tools
Interior and exterior finishing
Blueprint reading, layout, and concrete
All phases of residential construction
Career Opportunities:
Students leave the program prepared for careers in:
Carpentry and framing crews
Construction management
Electrical
Masonry and concrete work
Plumbing
Poured wall construction
Roofing and siding installation
This project stands as a remarkable educational achievement:
Practical learning: Students moved beyond classrooms and textbooks to build a fully functional, sale-ready home.
Collaboration & leadership: Collective decision-making empowered students to take ownership of the project.
Community impact: The resulting home will benefit the broader Allegan area, adding quality housing while showcasing student craftsmanship.
The journey of this home, from blueprint to listing, is a testament to what ambitious students can achieve when given real-world responsibilities and mentorship. It's not just a house; it's a symbol of collaboration, craftsmanship, and the incredible value of hands-on education.