West Bloomfield Middle School named ‘Model School’

WEST BLOOMFIELD — West Bloomfield Middle School has received some lofty recognition, as the International Center for Leadership in Education named it as a 2023 Model School.

The school was recognized due to its focus on relationships and rigorous and relevant academics that impact students, according to a press release from the West Bloomfield School District.

West Bloomfield Middle School is one of 30 Model Schools from across the United States that will share best practices at ICLE’s 31st annual Model Schools Conference, which is scheduled for June 25-28 at Orlando World Center in Florida.

“The event provides inspiration to thousands of passionate teachers and leaders, affirms the great work that they do, and challenges them to share replicable and creative strategies that can produce results in any school,” a press release states. “School design, creative programming and student/staff safety are of utmost importance. The WBMS presentation team will show administrators and teachers around the country how an intentional new school design can facilitate improved safety measures for students/staff while nurturing a school culture that promotes connectedness, support and innovation in a school community.”

The application criteria included “session description, target audience, session takeaways, District/student statistical information, strategies/best practices for intended audience, (and) an interview process for presenters,” according to a WBSD representative.

According to the press release, the West Bloomfield Middle School presentation team will discuss how the school community sought input from stakeholders and designed new programming and student experiences based on feedback received, and it will show how innovative design features led to systems where students are encouraged to think in complex ways and apply knowledge and skills they have acquired to difficult and new learning.

“The form and functionality of the school have allowed our teachers to be flexible in their instructional practices, provide targeted and timely feedback to our students, and has provided unique collaboration opportunities for our professional learning communities,” Principal Amy Hughes stated via the release.

Superintendent Dania H. Bazzi also weighed in on the recognition.

“West Bloomfield Middle School’s commitment to innovation and excellence is truly inspiring,” she stated in the release. “Their intentional school design and programming, along with their focus on relationships and high expectations for all students, is a shining example for schools across the country. Being recognized as a Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education is a testament to their dedication and hard work, and I have no doubt that their presentation at the Model Schools Conference will inspire and challenge educators to strive for greatness in their own schools.”

According to the release, the ICLE is a private, for-profit education consulting company, a division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which is a learning technology company.

To learn more about ICLE, visit www.hmhco.com/ICLE.