Students at North Point High School are getting into the real estate game — kind of. A tiny house built by students in the school’s construction, design and management pathway, with an assist from the electrical and welding programs, will be open to bids starting Monday, July 28.

The building project started in 2020 when the construction program instructor Tony Jones pitched the idea to career and technical education (CTE) staff members. Constructing a tiny home was the opportunity to showcase various skills students were learning in the pathway.

When Jones retired at the end of the 2022 school year, Charlie Burch took over instruction and oversaw the completion of the project. “We averaged roughly 13 students working on this depending on the year,” Burch said. “The students enjoyed working on it because they were able to see the project start on paper and watch it grow as they completed the steps.”

The house, which sits on an 8-by-20-foot trailer, was built using plans from Tiny House Inc., and California Tiny Homes. Each of the 15 building benchmarks were certified by Pacific West Tiny Homes, an organization that ensures builds meet safety and structural requirements.

The 160-square foot studio-style home is 11 feet, 3 inches tall, and features a kitchen sink, microwave, refrigerator with a freezer and a cooktop with two burners. The bathroom includes a standing shower, toilet and sink, and a Murphy-style bed housed in a cabinet is also in the home.

“This is the best way to get the experience of building a real house — minus the foundation since we build off of a metal trailer frame,” Burch said. “The best part is the students are able to do all the work of the trades, minus the electrical and some minor metal fabrication.”

The project mimics those students may tackle if they go into the field following graduation.

“This build has brought real world skills to the classroom where students can demonstrate what they have learned, including how to read build plans or blueprints, material cost analysis and project management,” Kevin Reisinger, CTE content specialist, said.

Students in the construction, design and management pathway follow projects from inception to completion. “Students engage in the full project lifestyle,” Reisinger said. “Design, build and maintain. They are gaining valuable experience in project management.” Along with the Tiny House project, students spend the year designing and building planter boxes, sawhorses, chicken coops and sheds.

While studying the ways of the trade, students can make mistakes. It’s all part of the learning process, Burch said. “The students are able to learn from that and correct them,” he said. “We all learned a lot from this process and when we start our next build this school year, we hope to cut the build time in half, if not better.”

Burch sees a sense of pride and accomplishment among his students when a project comes together, including the completion of the Tiny House. “I let them pick the colors and style that they wanted to do. It gave them a sense of ‘Hey, I really built this,” Burch said. “When they can walk in and turn on the light, use the faucet and turn on the air conditioner, it makes them feel good about what they are able to accomplish.”

Potential buyers are encouraged to tour the tiny house prior to bidding. The house is available to see Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 28, through Aug. 8, at North Point at 2500 Davis Road in Waldorf. To schedule a tour, contact Reisinger at 301-934-7205 or Carletta Grier at 301-934-7337.

Proceeds from the sale of the house will go toward the next Tiny House build, scheduled to start in the new school year. Additional proceeds will be earmarked for other potential construction, design and management pathway projects.

To learn more, set up a tour and bid, visit https://www.govdeals.com/en/asset/43/24473 or https://www.ccboe.com/departments/fiscal-services/purchasing/public-sale.

 

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.  CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).