Hastings High School is pleased to welcome Ryan Mitchell as our new Assistant Principal overseeing Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Hastings Virtual Academy.
Mr. Mitchell brings a strong background in educational leadership, student support, workforce development, and vocational training. Most recently, he served as Principal of Ionia Middle School, where he led school improvement efforts focused on instructional excellence, positive school culture, student achievement, and collaborative leadership.
In his new role, Mr. Mitchell will lead Hastings High School’s CTE programs and the Hastings Virtual Academy, helping expand opportunities for students to explore career pathways, develop industry-relevant skills, and succeed through both traditional and alternative learning environments.
Mr. Mitchell brings a strong background in educational leadership, student support, workforce development, and vocational training. Most recently, he served as Principal of Ionia Middle School, where he led school improvement efforts focused on instructional excellence, positive school culture, student achievement, and collaborative leadership.
In his new role, Mr. Mitchell will lead Hastings High School’s CTE programs and the Hastings Virtual Academy, helping expand opportunities for students to explore career pathways, develop industry-relevant skills, and succeed through both traditional and alternative learning environments.
Please join us in welcoming Jared Swiger as the new Director of Transportation for Hastings Area School System! Jared brings a blend of transportation experience, business leadership, and operational expertise to our district. We’re thrilled to have him.
We're also very thankful for the job done by Dale Krueger, who now has the opportunity to focus all his attention on buildings, grounds and facilities!
We're also very thankful for the job done by Dale Krueger, who now has the opportunity to focus all his attention on buildings, grounds and facilities!
Last week, we celebrated a successful three weeks of innovation and creativity by welcoming parents to our Coding Camp finale.
Students demonstrated the projects they’ve worked so diligently on, including stop-motion videos, video games, and engineered cardboard games. They even capped off the celebration with some popsicles! Great work this summer!
Students demonstrated the projects they’ve worked so diligently on, including stop-motion videos, video games, and engineered cardboard games. They even capped off the celebration with some popsicles! Great work this summer!
Mr. Powell is certainly on the move this year!
A few months ago, we announced his appointment as our new Director of Career and Technical Education. Since then, an exciting new opportunity emerged, and we are thrilled to share that Mr. Powell will now instead serve as our new High School Principal!
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Powell on this new leadership role. Stay tuned for more exciting staff announcements at the high school and across the district in the coming weeks!
A few months ago, we announced his appointment as our new Director of Career and Technical Education. Since then, an exciting new opportunity emerged, and we are thrilled to share that Mr. Powell will now instead serve as our new High School Principal!
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Powell on this new leadership role. Stay tuned for more exciting staff announcements at the high school and across the district in the coming weeks!
There is a lot of activity happening across the Hastings Area School System, and we're excited about these facility upgrades! 🚧
Crews are hard at work on a variety of bond-funded projects, including:
- A repaved parking lot between Central Elementary and Hastings Middle School.
- Newly remodeled boys and girls locker rooms at Hastings Middle School.
- A revamped media center at the high school, plus extensive renovations in the kitchen and cafeteria.
As progress unfolds this summer, we will provide more updates!
Crews are hard at work on a variety of bond-funded projects, including:
- A repaved parking lot between Central Elementary and Hastings Middle School.
- Newly remodeled boys and girls locker rooms at Hastings Middle School.
- A revamped media center at the high school, plus extensive renovations in the kitchen and cafeteria.
As progress unfolds this summer, we will provide more updates!
Bright new turf is down on Johnson Field, and it's already looking fantastic! Crews will be putting the finishing touches on the project in the coming weeks, and now football season just needs to hurry up and get here! 🏈
Our English Language Learners are having the best time at our Book and Cook Camp! By combining entertaining stories with culinary adventures, students aren't just learning new recipes, they're building confidence and practicing vocabulary. Looks delicious!
The Saxons made some noise at the Division 2 Girls Track & Field State Championship over the weekend, highlighted by a state championship performance by Bella Friddle! A trio of Saxons medaled at the meet:
🥇 Bella Friddle captured her second career state championship in the high jump, clearing a school-record 5'9". She also medaled in the long jump (4th) and 100 meters (8th).
🏅 Olivia Friddle, took 6th in discus (126'9").
🥈 Caroline Randall placed 3rd in the 3200 meters, shattering the school record at 10:45.88.
Incredible weekend for these athletes!
📸: The Hastings Banner
🥇 Bella Friddle captured her second career state championship in the high jump, clearing a school-record 5'9". She also medaled in the long jump (4th) and 100 meters (8th).
🏅 Olivia Friddle, took 6th in discus (126'9").
🥈 Caroline Randall placed 3rd in the 3200 meters, shattering the school record at 10:45.88.
Incredible weekend for these athletes!
📸: The Hastings Banner
Here are some 📸s from last week's Concert in the Hayfield. Always a great event! A huge thanks to everyone who had a hand in organizing this year's concert and to all those who attended!
"It's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure." — Ernie Harwell
Thank you for an amazing 2025-26 school year. Have a great summer and we'll see you in the fall for more adventures!
Thank you for an amazing 2025-26 school year. Have a great summer and we'll see you in the fall for more adventures!
Our Middle School staff made sure our eighth graders started their final day in the building with full bellies and big smiles! They served up a delicious breakfast Friday morning! We are so proud of these students and wish them the best as they head to high school next year.
🚧 Parking Lot Closure Notice 🚧
Beginning today, the parking lot east of the Middle School, located between the Middle School and Central Elementary, will be closed for resurfacing.
If you are attending events at either school, please plan to use alternative parking areas until the project is complete.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities!
Beginning today, the parking lot east of the Middle School, located between the Middle School and Central Elementary, will be closed for resurfacing.
If you are attending events at either school, please plan to use alternative parking areas until the project is complete.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities!
Some of our Middle School track athletes displayed their talents last night. At the MEGASTAR meet in Lowell, Emma Mansager finished second in the 55-meter hurdles and Avery Wilson fifth in the pole vault, while Tristen Sleight finished seventh in the high jump.
Personal bests were turned in by Davis Wattles in shot put, Lenna Wendt in the 800-meter run and Avery Wilson in pole vault.
Other athletes representing Hastings were: Owen Acker and Carter Kramer, who tied his personal record in pole vault.
Congratulations on a great season to all of our Saxons!
Personal bests were turned in by Davis Wattles in shot put, Lenna Wendt in the 800-meter run and Avery Wilson in pole vault.
Other athletes representing Hastings were: Owen Acker and Carter Kramer, who tied his personal record in pole vault.
Congratulations on a great season to all of our Saxons!
Congratulations to the many HHS students honored for their academic achievements at last night's Underclassmen Honors Night!
Events like this are a great reminder of the incredible talent and dedication our students bring to every area of learning, from CTE programs like Construction and Culinary Arts to traditional subjects like Math, Science, and English.
We’re proud of all you’ve accomplished and excited to see what’s ahead!
Events like this are a great reminder of the incredible talent and dedication our students bring to every area of learning, from CTE programs like Construction and Culinary Arts to traditional subjects like Math, Science, and English.
We’re proud of all you’ve accomplished and excited to see what’s ahead!
Students at Star Elementary beat the heat and had a blast doing it! Our superstar maintenance crew set everything up for the annual slip-n-slide. a perfect way to celebrate beautiful weather and a successful school year. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable for these Star students.
The Hastings Middle School Art Show is LIVE! Artworks made by 8th, 7th and 6th grade artists are proudly displayed on our 2026 Art Show Site!
Each artwork is independently planned, photographed and prepared with an artist statement. Please check out the work of these talented young artists! And feel free to SHARE!
Visit it here - bit.ly/HMSArtShow26
Each artwork is independently planned, photographed and prepared with an artist statement. Please check out the work of these talented young artists! And feel free to SHARE!
Visit it here - bit.ly/HMSArtShow26
Join our bands for a beloved tradition! The annual Hayfield Concert features an evening of live music, great food, and community fun benefiting the Hastings band program.
This year’s lineup features the incredible 150-member Hastings Community Mass Band and the renowned Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, promising plenty of excellent music to kick off the summer season.
Beyond the music, guests can enjoy fresh grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, hand-dipped ice cream, and a silent auction.
Grab your lawn chairs, bring the family, and come out to support our local student musicians!
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: Concert begins at 5:30 PM
Location: 2704 N. Charlton Park, Hastings, MI 49058
Weather: Rain or shine (Rain venue will be the HPAC)
This year’s lineup features the incredible 150-member Hastings Community Mass Band and the renowned Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, promising plenty of excellent music to kick off the summer season.
Beyond the music, guests can enjoy fresh grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, hand-dipped ice cream, and a silent auction.
Grab your lawn chairs, bring the family, and come out to support our local student musicians!
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026
Time: Concert begins at 5:30 PM
Location: 2704 N. Charlton Park, Hastings, MI 49058
Weather: Rain or shine (Rain venue will be the HPAC)
"As you walk out those doors, everyone’s going to ask you ‘What’s your plan?’ Just know, your answer today will likely be different than in the next six months or the next six years," Mrs. Kramer told graduates tonight.
Class of 2026, wherever you go and whatever you do, you'll always be a Saxon. Thank you for the memories. 💙💛
Class of 2026, wherever you go and whatever you do, you'll always be a Saxon. Thank you for the memories. 💙💛
Before our seniors took the big walk across the stage 🎓, our preschool (GSRP) students celebrated their graduation! With their tiny caps, these little learners are officially kindergarten-bound!
Amazing work, graduates!
Amazing work, graduates!
On the eve of graduation, seniors, staff, and supporters filled the HPAC for Senior Honors Night. The Class of 2026 has accomplished so much this year and throughout their time at HHS. It was only fitting to honor them one final time and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and achievements!
