Student-built home in Mt. Pleasant sells within weeks

A new family home built entirely by local high school students in Mt. Pleasant sold in just a few weeks this summer—proof that hands-on career training is paying off both in skills and real-world results.

Students from Mt. Pleasant Public Schools along with teens from nine other Mid-Michigan schools wrapped up work on the program’s 46th house, located on Batson Drive. The property, which features two full bathrooms, two half-baths, and a three-car garage on a 0.28-acre lot, hit the market at $369,900. It quickly attracted a buyer—a family of Mt. Pleasant Public Schools graduates who themselves went through the same student-build program.

“Our students did a remarkably impressive job on this house, which showcases exceptional craftsmanship and creativity,” said Pat Onstott, director of the Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center (GI-TEC) Mt. Pleasant Campus. “I want to thank our dedicated instructors and support staff who provided an awesome hands-on lab experience that empowered students every step of the way.”

The project, which spanned two school years starting in fall 2024, marks the latest milestone for GI-TEC’s career and technical education offerings. Students learned framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, and finishing work on-site, guided by certified instructors. The house was listed by Weichert Realtors Broadway Realty and managed by broker Paula Arndt, who has worked with the school for nearly a decade to sell student-built homes.

Arndt noted that despite a four-week delay in the construction timeline, the home sold quickly, with the buyer closing in August. “We were very fortunate that it turned out the way it did,” she said. “People are being wise with their dollar, and they’re slow to spend—but if the price is right, they’ll move.”

The sale comes as Michigan’s housing market shifts away from a strong seller’s market. According to Arndt, the over-abundance of inventory in Mt. Pleasant means agents can’t rely on past assumptions. “If agents are out there speculating that the market hasn’t changed, they’re going to sit on that inventory. You have to research the market—you can’t just listen to what your seller wants,” she said.

State data reinforces the need for skilled trades training. A recent Detroit News report showed Michigan’s skilled trades workforce totals nearly 255,000, the eighth largest in the nation. Yet ongoing worker shortages are expected to persist through 2030, with professional trades projected to account for more than 520,000 jobs in the state. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity estimates about 70,000 skilled trades job openings each year.

Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Verleger emphasized the program’s role in closing that gap. “Our local skilled trades students are getting an excellent education in the classroom and real-world, hands-on experience on job sites that prepare them for in-demand careers,” she said. “Skilled trades are a big priority for us—from construction and welding to automotive tech, agri-science, and culinary arts. The student-built house on Batson is a beautiful home that reflects their amazing skills, hard work and world-class education.”

The program’s impact extends beyond a single house. GI-TEC offers 20 career and technical programs to students across Isabella and Gratiot counties. School officials say the hands-on model reduces dropout rates and increases college and career readiness. For the 2025–2026 school year, the center plans to expand partnerships with local construction firms and add new programs in renewable energy installation and advanced manufacturing.

Meanwhile, recent data from Redfin shows that the median home price in Mt. Pleasant rose