West Bloomfield High School
Encyclopedia
West Bloomfield High School is a public secondary school in West Bloomfield, Michigan
. The school is the only public high school in the West Bloomfield School District
. The School Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is about 1900. West Bloomfield High School was previously located in the Abbott Middle School building, which opened on January 31, 1955 with an enrollment
of 406. The current building was built in 1971. West Bloomfield High School has begun to offer the Advanced Placement International Diploma to the classes of 2011 and beyond. In addition, it established additional Advanced Placement courses starting the 2010-2011 school year.
The school has been recognized by Newsweek
magazine as being in the top 6% of U.S. public high schools. It is also the top feeder school to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as well as Michigan State University, East Lansing.
It is in the process of establishing the International Bacceaularate Program for its students.
Between fall 1967 and spring 1971, WBHS occupied the building that now houses Orchard Lake Middle School.
's Flint, MI campus.
The program was responsible for the creation of "Warren Easton in Exile," a noted website designed to virtually "rebuild" a high school in New Orleans that was shut down after being damaged by Hurricane Katrina
in 2005. Former projects also include the Michigan Student Caucus (formerly the Michigan Youth Caucus), a partnership with the Michigan State House Special Commission on Civic Engagement.
The 2006-2007 project for IPD is a project with the Trauma Burn Center at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. It focuses on five main areas: Entertainment, School Re-Entry, Communication, Hospital Resource Center and Education/Prevention. There are also plans to integrate the website with the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum. It was headed by WBHS biology teacher, Margaret Hendrickson and University of Michigan-Flint Professor Jeffery Kupperman.
Grand National Championships. The band was also a Regional finalist at the BOA Ypsilanti Regional in 2007. In 2009 and 2010, the band was named Class AAA Champion in BOA Pontiac Regionals. Staff for the 2011 Marching Band includes Jeremy Figlewicz (Director), Chad Mielens (Director) , Andrew Ebert (Show and Visual design), Andrew Markworth (Assistant Director/Wind and Percussion arrangements), and Kara Markworth (color guard design and caption head). The band shares staff members with many drum corps including Carolina Crown and Phantom Regiment, as well as top WGI percussion groups such as Rhythm X and Eastside Fury.
The WBHS Winter Drumline placed 2nd in Scholastic A at the MCGC state championship in 2007 and in 2008, 3rd in Scholastic A in 2009, and 1st in Scholastic Open in 2010, which marked the unit's first state title. They were the 2008 WGI Scholastic A Troy Regional Champions and the 2010 WGI Scholastic Open Troy Regional Champions. The WBHS Winter Guard placed 2nd in AA at the 2008 MCGC state championship, and 2nd in Michigan A at the 2006 MCGC State Championship. The Winter Guard placed 6th in Scholastic A in 2009, and was a WGI Ferndale Regional Finalist.
Headed by Linda Trotter, the West Bloomfield High School Orchestra program has 2 orchestras, the concert orchestra (members of this ensemble are primarily freshman and sophomore students)and the symphony orchestra (members of this ensemble are primarily junior and senior students). The orchestral program has won numerous awards at the Michigan Band and Orchestra Music Festivals. These orchestras have received first and second division ratings at both the district and state festivals. The Orchestra department has competed in music festivals outside the state where they received first place and best overall orchestra.
West Bloomfield High School's choral department is headed by Sheryl Hauk. There are four levels of choirs. Beginning freshman Chorale is all girls, Concert Choir A is for upper classmen and some freshmen by audition, Concert Choir B is for upperclassmen by audition and some freshmen, and the advanced vocal jazz choir Laker Express is 10 boys and 10 girls selected through intense auditions. In 2008, Laker Express competed at the Great Lakes Invitational and came in 5th place. It was their first competition. Both Concert Choirs and Chorale went to regional choral festival in 2008 and Concert Choir A and Chorale both received 1's. They went to state competition, where Concert Choir A received 1's. In 2009 the Girls Chorale received an Excellent at Districts, and continued on to states. The Chorale also received a high Excellent at states, where both achievements received medals.
A.P. Biology
AB Calculus
BC Calculus
A.P. Chemistry
A.P. English Language and Composition
A.P. Literature and Composition
A.P. French Language
A.P. American Government and Politics
A.P. Japanese Language and Culture
A.P. Macroeconomics
A.P. Microeconomics
A.P. Physics B
A.P. Physics C (Both)
A.P. Psychology
A.P. Spanish Language
A.P. Spanish Literature
A.P. Statistics
A.P. United States History
A.P. World History
Independent Study in European History
Independent Study in Music Theory
1. AP English
2. AP Language
3. AP Math or Science Course
4. AP World History, AP Human Geography, or AP Government and Politics
5. One to two AP courses in other areas.
We're going to win that game another time
We're going to beat that team and win tonight
We're going to Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! And do it right!
You ought to see West Bloomfield's football team, they are the team that never yields
We're going to march right on to Victory
Victory!
For green and white. Fight! Fight!"
Michigan°N date=July 2009°W
West Bloomfield Township, Michigan
West Bloomfield Charter Township is an affluent charter township in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 64,690. As of 2008, West Bloomfield Township was ranked the 8th highest income city in the...
. The school is the only public high school in the West Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield School District is located in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It was formed in 1949 and covers approximately sixteen square miles. As of May 2011, its superintendent is Dr. JoAnn Andrees who succeeded Dr. Gary Faber in 2008...
. The School Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is about 1900. West Bloomfield High School was previously located in the Abbott Middle School building, which opened on January 31, 1955 with an enrollment
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
of 406. The current building was built in 1971. West Bloomfield High School has begun to offer the Advanced Placement International Diploma to the classes of 2011 and beyond. In addition, it established additional Advanced Placement courses starting the 2010-2011 school year.
The school has been recognized by Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
magazine as being in the top 6% of U.S. public high schools. It is also the top feeder school to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, as well as Michigan State University, East Lansing.
It is in the process of establishing the International Bacceaularate Program for its students.
Building
In 1971, the district responded to growing enrollment by building a new high school. The large, single-story building was designed in a U-shape around a courtyard that faced Orchard Lake Road. In 1997, the courtyard was enclosed by a 2-story addition that gave the school its curved front facade. In 2000, the media center was completely rebuilt with an emphasis on technology. Small additions have been built throughout the 2000s.Between fall 1967 and spring 1971, WBHS occupied the building that now houses Orchard Lake Middle School.
Instructional Project Design Program
The school is known for its Instructional Project Design course, based on the philosophy that students must be allowed a say in designing tools that they will use. The tools in question are internet forums and services created for a variety of educational and civic clients. The program is run by the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
's Flint, MI campus.
The program was responsible for the creation of "Warren Easton in Exile," a noted website designed to virtually "rebuild" a high school in New Orleans that was shut down after being damaged by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
in 2005. Former projects also include the Michigan Student Caucus (formerly the Michigan Youth Caucus), a partnership with the Michigan State House Special Commission on Civic Engagement.
The 2006-2007 project for IPD is a project with the Trauma Burn Center at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. It focuses on five main areas: Entertainment, School Re-Entry, Communication, Hospital Resource Center and Education/Prevention. There are also plans to integrate the website with the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum. It was headed by WBHS biology teacher, Margaret Hendrickson and University of Michigan-Flint Professor Jeffery Kupperman.
Theatre Arts Program
WBHS Theatre Arts Program' is committed to supporting performing arts opportunities for students within the building. The program's unique production array offers students with highly diverse backgrounds and interests a means to express their creativity. Program director Micah J. Greene' has taught at WBHS and coordinated the after school theatre program since 2003.Fall Production
Each year, the season begins with the production of a straight play. The department mandates that all students who wish to perform on stage are cast in the fall production, feature film, and spring musical. As such, the decision process for selecting each fall production is highly difficult.Children's Show
Under the direction of former WBHS Theatre Arts Program coordinator, Robert Leider, WBHS began producing children's shows. The productions were performed before audiences from the district's elementary schools and served a means through which to expose the children to live theatre. Starting in 2002, Mark Johnson (Aud. Director and MIFA One-Act Director) took over the responsibilities for staging the annual children's show.MIFA One-Act Production
The MIFA (Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association) One-Act company offers students an opportunity to perform before an audience of their peers from across the state of Michigan. MIFA coordinates a wide array of performance opportunities throughout the year. The one-act festivals take place during the winter and involve three tiers of competition, including: district festivals, regional festivals, and state festivals. MIFA is currently under the direction of Mark Johnson. In 2006, the company won the state championship with their production of The Shadow Box and in 2011, the company won regionals with their production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.Orchard Lake Student Film Festival
In the fall of 2003 WBHS Theatre Arts Program Director Micah J. Greene met with WBHS video production teacher Kevin Walsh to discuss the possibility of creating a joint venture between the theatre and video production programs. The resulting creation became the annual production of a feature-length film, as well as an annual film festival. The original festival, known as the WB Film Festival, was expanded in 2009 and was renamed The Orchard Lake Student Film Festival.. The festival now accepts film submissions from high schools across the state of Michigan.Spring Musical
Each spring WBHS closes out its annual theatre season with the production of a spring musical. The show show serves as a model opportunity for partnership between the various fine arts instructors within the high school. The production's vocal direction is carried out by WBHS Choral Department's Director, Sheryl Hauk. The orchestra pit is guided under the direction of WBHS's Bands' Director, Arthur Ebert. Technical direction for the shows is provided by WBHS Auditorium Director, Mark Johnson.Music Department
Currently headed by Jeremy Figlewicz and Chad Mielens, the West Bloomfield High School Marching Band placed 4th at the MCBA state championship in Flight I in 2010, 3rd in Flight I in 2007, 2nd in Flight I in 2009, and 1st place in Flight I in 2008, the first time the band has received the state championship in the school's history. Nationally, the band was a Bands of America Grand National Semifinalist from 2008-2010 at the Bands of AmericaBands of America
Bands of America , a division of Music for All, Inc., is an organization that promotes and organizes marching band competitions for high school students. Competitions include both Regional and Super Regional Championships as well as the Grand National Championships...
Grand National Championships. The band was also a Regional finalist at the BOA Ypsilanti Regional in 2007. In 2009 and 2010, the band was named Class AAA Champion in BOA Pontiac Regionals. Staff for the 2011 Marching Band includes Jeremy Figlewicz (Director), Chad Mielens (Director) , Andrew Ebert (Show and Visual design), Andrew Markworth (Assistant Director/Wind and Percussion arrangements), and Kara Markworth (color guard design and caption head). The band shares staff members with many drum corps including Carolina Crown and Phantom Regiment, as well as top WGI percussion groups such as Rhythm X and Eastside Fury.
The WBHS Winter Drumline placed 2nd in Scholastic A at the MCGC state championship in 2007 and in 2008, 3rd in Scholastic A in 2009, and 1st in Scholastic Open in 2010, which marked the unit's first state title. They were the 2008 WGI Scholastic A Troy Regional Champions and the 2010 WGI Scholastic Open Troy Regional Champions. The WBHS Winter Guard placed 2nd in AA at the 2008 MCGC state championship, and 2nd in Michigan A at the 2006 MCGC State Championship. The Winter Guard placed 6th in Scholastic A in 2009, and was a WGI Ferndale Regional Finalist.
Headed by Linda Trotter, the West Bloomfield High School Orchestra program has 2 orchestras, the concert orchestra (members of this ensemble are primarily freshman and sophomore students)and the symphony orchestra (members of this ensemble are primarily junior and senior students). The orchestral program has won numerous awards at the Michigan Band and Orchestra Music Festivals. These orchestras have received first and second division ratings at both the district and state festivals. The Orchestra department has competed in music festivals outside the state where they received first place and best overall orchestra.
West Bloomfield High School's choral department is headed by Sheryl Hauk. There are four levels of choirs. Beginning freshman Chorale is all girls, Concert Choir A is for upper classmen and some freshmen by audition, Concert Choir B is for upperclassmen by audition and some freshmen, and the advanced vocal jazz choir Laker Express is 10 boys and 10 girls selected through intense auditions. In 2008, Laker Express competed at the Great Lakes Invitational and came in 5th place. It was their first competition. Both Concert Choirs and Chorale went to regional choral festival in 2008 and Concert Choir A and Chorale both received 1's. They went to state competition, where Concert Choir A received 1's. In 2009 the Girls Chorale received an Excellent at Districts, and continued on to states. The Chorale also received a high Excellent at states, where both achievements received medals.
Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS)
The Ford PAS program is a highly valued program for the school district, with meaningful activities for the students that provide a sense of accomplishment. This program clearly prepares students for Career Focused Education in Math, Science, Technology, and Engineering. The foundation for success with Ford PAS has been established. The district will continue to pursue recruitment of additional students and teachers enrolling in the Ford PAS curriculum.Courses
The West Bloomfield High School has a wide variety of courses to offer. The courses are differed based upon the students' ambitions in college. For math, a normal advanced freshmen can start at honors geometry and go on to honors algebra 2. Alternately, a path is normal geometry and normal algebra 2. From here, the courses are either honors precalculus or honors precalculus/honors physics. In 12th grade, AB or BC calculus is provided in addition to AP Statistics, along with math electives and independent studies. Students in normal, grade level math follow a similar track, but do not take honors courses. Science consists of Biology 1 in grade 9. The other courses can be AP biology, AP physics, chemistry, and medical mentorship. There are varieties if honors courses in history and language arts, including Dream American History. Courses are chosen along with counselors. The school offers a large variety of courses, ranging from normal courses to honors courses to Advanced Placement, or AP courses. The school currently offers honors courses in the areas of mathematics, sciences, english, and social studies. Advanced Placement courses are offered in the areas of mathematics, sciences,english, social studies, computers, and economics. West Bloomfield High School offers a total of twenty-four Advanced Placement Courses to be taken in eleventh or twelfth grade, although some students opt to take them as early as the ninth or tenth grade. Those in the tenth and ninth grades desiring courses full of rigor are allowed to take honors courses. The school also pays tuition for dual enrollment, allowing students to take advanced courses at local colleges for free.Advanced Placement Courses Offered
West Bloomfield High School is known for its wide variety of classes. The following are offered at the school:A.P. Biology
AB Calculus
BC Calculus
A.P. Chemistry
A.P. English Language and Composition
A.P. Literature and Composition
A.P. French Language
A.P. American Government and Politics
A.P. Japanese Language and Culture
A.P. Macroeconomics
A.P. Microeconomics
A.P. Physics B
A.P. Physics C (Both)
A.P. Psychology
A.P. Spanish Language
A.P. Spanish Literature
A.P. Statistics
A.P. United States History
A.P. World History
Independent Study in European History
Independent Study in Music Theory
Advanced Placement International Diploma
In June 2009, West Bloomfield High School announced the availability of the Advanced Placement International Diploma to the classes of 2011 and beyond. Utilized by universities around the world in admissions, this diploma requires students to score a 3, 4, or a 5 on exams in the following areas:1. AP English
2. AP Language
3. AP Math or Science Course
4. AP World History, AP Human Geography, or AP Government and Politics
5. One to two AP courses in other areas.
After-School Activities/Clubs
West Bloomfield High Schools offers a numerous amount of clubs and activities that students can get involved with. Some of these clubs include International Club, Math Club, Earth Club, Law Club, and ACT Club. The West Bloomfield High School quiz bowl team has also received many accolades. There is after school tutoring available everyday and a teacher is always available to assist.University Acceptance
As stated before, the school is a top feeder school to the major universities in the state of Michigan, University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Yearly, sixty to eighty students gain acceptance into the University of Michigan, while fifty to sixty students go to Michigan State University. 94% of graduating seniors go to college, mostly to four-year colleges. About fifteen students each year gain acceptance into the Ivy League universities, this is roughly three percent of the graduating class.Females in Engineering Academy
The goal of the program was to get more females involved in the engineering curriculum. We have gone beyond that expectation. There is so much enthusiasm and excitement in the students as they explore what it might take to be an engineer. The enrollment in engineering classes has greatly increased and there is already a wait list. The females in the program were so excited about it that word has spread as they have encouraged others to join. This grant is responsible for allowing us to provide enrichment opportunities for these students that would not otherwise have been possible to achieve.Varsity Football Fight Song
"Oh when the varsity team takes the lineWe're going to win that game another time
We're going to beat that team and win tonight
We're going to Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! And do it right!
You ought to see West Bloomfield's football team, they are the team that never yields
We're going to march right on to Victory
Victory!
For green and white. Fight! Fight!"
Notable alumni
- Sherilyn FennSherilyn FennSherilyn Fenn is an American actress and filmmaker. She came to international attention for her performance as Audrey Horne on the 1990 cult TV series Twin Peaks...
, actress - Justin BarthaJustin BarthaJustin Lee Bartha is an American actor, known for his co-starring role as Riley Poole in the National Treasure films and as Doug Billings in The Hangover and The Hangover Part II.-Early life:...
, actor - Todd Krumm, NFL Safety, Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
- Mike HartmanMike HartmanMichael J. Hartman is a retired professional ice hockey player. Hartman was drafted in the seventh round, 131st overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft....
, NHL Forward, Buffalo SabresBuffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:... - Melrose Bickerstaff, model and runner up on America's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top ModelAmerica's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
- Vikram Vennapusa, MathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, Talk ShowTalk showA talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
Host, and PhilanthropistPhilanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes... - Brandon T. JacksonBrandon T. JacksonBrandon Timothy Jackson is an American stand-up comedian, actor, rapper, writer, and comedian. He is best known for his supporting roles in Roll Bounce, Tropic Thunder, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Lottery Ticket, and a leading role in Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.-Early...
, actor from Roll BounceRoll BounceRoll Bounce is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written by Norman Vance Jr. and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars hip hop artist Bow Wow as the leader of a roller skating crew in 1970s Chicago. The film also stars Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T...
(2005), The Brandon T. Jackson Show (TV- 2006), and the blockbuster Tropic ThunderTropic ThunderTropic Thunder is a 2008 American action satire comedy film written, produced, and directed by Ben Stiller, and starring Stiller, Robert Downey, Jr., and Jack Black. The main plot revolves around a group of prima donna actors who are making a Vietnam War film...
(2008). - Kyle BrownKyle BrownKyle Brown is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Brown attended Carroll High School, and played college soccer for the University of Tulsa from 2001 to 2005, receiving All-Conference honors in all four years he played...
, NFL Receiver, Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
released in 2007, now a free agent.
External links
- West Bloomfield High School Bands, retrieved 2008-05-26
- West Bloomfield High School Orchestra, retrieved 2008-05-26
- West Bloomfield Choir, retrieved 2008-08-05
- West Bloomfield Drama
Michigan°N date=July 2009°W