International Academy
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The International Academy, or IA, is a high school located in Bloomfield Hills, Oakland County, Michigan. It is a public, tuition-free, school of choice for students of 11 Oakland County school districts collaborating in consortium with university and business partners. Commencing with ninth grade, it provides a unique blend of rigorous academic standards and practical, career-related learning throughout the 205-day school year. Featuring the world-recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as the centerpiece of its curriculum, it concentrates on preparing students for success in a global marketplace.
The school is officially hosted by the Bloomfield Hills School District. It was founded at the initiative of Lambert (Bert) Okma, previously a respected economics teacher at Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School and now the Principal of IA.
A school that draws intellectual students from the county, IA was recognized by Newsweek as the top public school in the nation in June, 2003, and as the second-ranked school in the country in May, 2005. Newsweek's standings were based upon the number of IB or AP tests that the school averages per student. The IA maintains a high standard with this criteria because each student is required to sit for the IB tests each May as a diploma candidate. Each student therefore takes at least 6 IB tests (in addition to the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay requirements), giving the school a high average number of IB tests.
Despite the value of the academics and the school's standing, many feel it suffers from problems with its facilities. The International Academy is housed in what was originally Elizabeth Taylor Traub Elementary School, sized more for children than young adults. Though additions extending into the former playground have significantly increased its size, with a student body of over 550, the building can seem overpopulated. It has become necessary for many teachers to occupy several different rooms throughout the day to schedule enough classes. Distinct problems with the building include masonry issues, replacement of a column in front of the school, several leaks in the roof, noted heating and cooling issues, and a distinct shortage of hot water.
Other potential concerns include the lack of school-sponsored sports at the IA. Students who wish to participate in sports or marching band must do so through their sending district. The school does have a small, student-founded soccer team, nicknamed "IA Fire," as well as a student-sponsored Ultimate Frisbee club called "UFIA" (Ultimate Frisbee International Academy).
IA West
Starting in August 2006, the International Academy West Campus will open, sharing their campus with Lakeland High School of Huron Valley Schools in White Lake, Michigan. The new campus will offer an experience similar to that of the Eastern Campus, providing the International Baccalaureate program to students in Western Oakland County. The program is a promising expansion of the current program, but unlike the Eastern Campus, Lakeland's recent remodeling promises to prevent building problems similar to those of the Eastern Campus. Like at the Eastern Campus, students play sports through their sending districts.
Controversies at International Academy
On June 6th, 2006, 16 students were suspended from the school for hacking the school grades-database and changing their grades throughout the school year.
See also
External links
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