Featured Story: Grand Opening of the LSPS Community and ECC Centers!
Posted on 12/28/2023
We proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Lake Shore Public Schools Community and Early Childhood Center on June 6th at 10:00 a.m., located at 28850 Harper Avenue in St. Clair Shores. This premier early learning and lifelong development center, situated on Harper near 12 Mile Road, has been thoughtfully designed to provide a unique and innovative environment where individuals and families of all ages can gather, grow, and thrive.
Superintendent Dr. DiPonio welcomed guests for a heartfelt ribbon-cutting ceremony ✂️, opening the doors to these beautifully reimagined spaces for a sneak peek.
Official Opening Timeline:
Community Center — Scheduled to open and begin operations in September 2026
Early Childhood Center — Scheduled to open and begin operations following July 4, 2026
As Macomb County’s premier early childhood center, the ECC is open to all families, ages 2 months to 4 years old. With easy access to the I-94 corridor and less than five miles from surrounding communities, it’s a safe and nurturing environment for our youngest learners to begin their path to success, as well as a convenient, accessible, and affordable option for families.
The Community Center will feature an indoor turf field house, batting cages, multipurpose room, instructional room, community stage, walking track, fitness equipment, pickle ball courts, and rock-climbing wall. The first and only space of its kind in the Shores, will be available not only to our staff and students, but also to our strong alumnus base, the Lake Shore community, and neighbors. Rental and Membership opportunities will be available.
Rodgers Elementary 5th grader Madelynn Senter shared, “My favorite was the soccer and rock wall space — so fun! I hope we get to use it sometime during our day at Rodgers, too.”
Parent Rachel Veres, a Masonic Heights family member with four boys and a connection to our former ECC location, immediately noticed the difference. She shared how much she appreciated the limited screen presence and the abundance of hands-on, tactile experiences available.
Spaces designed for movement, exploration, and active learning are already making an impression!
The Facts
-$12 million project
-56,000 square foot facility
-18 Early Childhood Classrooms
-$1.25 million state grant to fund portion of ECC
Welcome to the new Centers — where every child is encouraged to grow, thrive, and dream BIG! 🏫💫 These spaces represents progress, possibility, and the strength of our community.
ECC Coordinator Kelly Biondo shared a heartfelt reflection:
“As I look back over this last school year, I realize it is a bit bittersweet for me. I see the closing of a chapter that has brought me great joy. We have loved and cared for many children over the last six years in the building [on Elmira Street]. However, as I look ahead toward the ECC’s future, I am incredibly thankful and excited to be part of what lies ahead for the Shorian Early Childhood Center. I fully expect this to be very successful for the district and I am looking forward to working with [ECC Director] Lisa Bonett to support the innovative plans she has for our future.”
Thank you to our community for your continued support and investment in our schools. Together, we’ve created a place that will serve Shorians for generations to come.
We loved celebrating with our families, alumni, neighbors, and friends — and if you missed it, we can’t wait to welcome you soon!
For the location at 28850 Harper Ave (Lake Shore Public Schools Administration / Community Center / Early Childhood Center), hours can vary by department and programming.
Typical Hours of Operation:
Administration Offices: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Early Childhood Center: Pre K- Before and After Care: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM; Childcare 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Community Center: TBD
🔗 Interest & Information: https://tinyurl.com/LSPSCommunityCenter
Connecting People, Creating Memories.