Current School of Choice families have this to say...
The Adams Family
We tried to move into Whitmore Lake School District but ended up just outside by two driveways and are in Ann Arbor’s School District.
We chose Whitmore Lake because we like the small hometown feeling! No pressure, no stress, go to school, learn and have fun.
We moved from Hartland Schools which were good schools just way too much competition and pressure for everything, there wasn’t the one on one feeling like what we get in Whitmore Lake.
We like that everyone here really cares from the bottom of there heart and not just because they are paid to! We like the family feeling!!
Our boys all have also enjoyed a few different sports from Football, Wrestling and Basketball through the variety of Community Recreation programs.
Tom and Holly Adams
Sebastian and Bailey – 4th grade
Preston – 2nd grade
The Carpenter Family
Making Whitmore Lake school district our choice wasn’t a
tough decision at all. We had moved to the community from a larger,
overcrowded district where my children were on their way to becoming
faceless numbers in the crowd. Parents didn’t know each other in the
hallways and both my children and I had struggled to find a peer group.
After all our initial research of the district and many conversations
with residents, our choice was clear. Our move and transition to
Whitmore Lake Public Schools was smooth and flawless. My children were
embraced by their school family and flourished within the system. As
well as receiving a solid education they have developed a strong sense
of community that I just don’t think is possible in a larger district.
The smaller class sizes have allowed for building stronger bonds with
teachers and classmates as well as a more personalized experience. The
class options are plentiful and we haven’t had to worry about missing
a class opportunity because it had filled up immediately. My high school
students’ biggest struggles have been trying to decide which classes
they want to take and then making those choices work within their
schedule. The counseling staff has been instrumental in guiding the
students and helping them with their options. Because they know the
students first hand they are more able to help them with this process.
When we lost our home to a tragic house fire several years back we
were embraced and supported by not just our residential community but by
our school community as well. Our Superintendent and several School
Board members were on hand that very evening assuring us that our
children would be well cared for within the schools and that any
counseling needed would be immediately available. When we made the
decision to rebuild our home on a different site, just outside of the
school district boundaries, we made certain that school of choice was an
option. We never looked at the drive into town as a hindrance. It
allowed us to connect with the community and gave us a good excuse to
linger at the school and volunteer where needed. That experience within
the school allowed for more time with my children and an even stronger
school community bond.
Bonnie & Wil Carpenter Zach- Class of 2010(not pictured), Garrett- 2011,
Mitchell- 2012, and Maddie 10th grade.
The Figot Family
We moved into the Whitmore Lake area from Westland. Moving from a larger
school district to a smaller one was definitely a change, but we soon
found it was a change for the better. Our children thrived in the small
school setting.
We like the fact that our children benefited greatly from this. More
attention is given to each student and we feel like our children are not
lost in the crowd of a bigger school. Teachers get to know each and
every one of their students and take the time to work with those needing
more attention. This would not happen in a bigger school.
As parents, we have always been strongly encouraged to show up and help
in the classrooms. We have also gotten to know the principal of the
school. Mr. Benczarski takes the time to get to know parents as well as
students. He appears to care very much about the educational process.
Rachel (entering 6th grade) has had nothing but praise for her 5th grade
experience.
We heartily recommend Whitmore Lake Public Schools to anyone seeking a
meaningful, heartfelt education for their children.
Steve and Joanne Figot
Rachel - 9th, Emily - class of 2008
The Munir Family
Three years ago, our two daughters were attending a Montessori Academy that was very small and intimate.
As we discussed moving an hour away to the Brighton area, we were concerned about them going to a large public school and getting caught up in the crowds; possibly the wrong crowds.
Rick works for the district, so it was an obvious option for us. He could take the girls to school and I could pick them up.
To me, this says it all, as far as how much we like the school system at Whitmore Lake.
We could have easily enrolled them in Brighton area schools and put them on a bus every morning right outside our door.
Whitmore Lake schools are worth the inconvenience of driving our kids to and from school.
Every employee that I have come in contact with has been extremely friendly, even when they had no idea that my husband workedthere. I feel that if my children are going down the wrong path or making bad decisions their teachers would let me know.
In fact, we were concerned that our youngest daughter was not making friends in her first year and one of the teachers actually e-mailed us a picture from her cell phone of our daughter reading and having a good time with a fellow classmate, which eased our concerns.
I really like how small the community is as well. It has the feel of a large family. Since we have lived here, there have been a few unexpected tragedies and the way this community rallied together was phenomenal.
You can tell they really do care about their students.
We are in the midst of our third year with Whitmore and I have not once regretted my decision to put the future of my two favorite girls in the hands of the amazing Whitmore Lake teachers!
Rick and Misty Munir
Jasmine - 11th Grade
Kaci 3rd grade
To arrange for a personal tour or for more information, please call 734-449-4464
ext. 5002.
Please feel free to explore our website to learn more about Whitmore Lake Schools.
Because we are a small school, we have the luxury of knowing our students and families well. We welcome parent participation in the classroom and encourage parents and guardians to visit as often as possible. We are confident you will find our school to be a happy and safe place for your child to learn.
In addition to a comprehensive program in math, science, English language arts, and social studies, all students participate in art, music, physical education and 1st through 4th grades in technology. We use many kinds of assessment data to guide all decisions for school improvement. Children in 2nd through 4th grades take the “Measures of Academic Progress” assessment in September, January and May. This information is used by teachers to adjust lessons to meet the needs of all students and is shared with students and parents.
I encourage you to explore the Elementary School website and to contact us for more information or a personal tour of our buildings. Please make arrangements by calling the Superintendent’s office: 734-449-4464 ext. 5002.
Whitmore Lake Middle School (WLMS) is safe, newly renovated, and
conveniently located between Brighton and Ann Arbor right off of US 23. Being a small school enables our staff to get to know students personally, hence enabling us to identify individual strengths and weaknesses. The WLMS staff is trained in and committed to utilizing differentiated instruction and other best practices in order to meet our mission of providing an “exceptional personalized education.” In addition, the WLMS staff is 100% highly qualified as outlined in the No Child Left Behind Act.
WLMS is has two computer labs with 30 computers in each lab. In addition, there are two laptop carts with 30 laptops each, available for students to use in our WiFi equipped classrooms. A student favorite is our Technology Lab in which students can conduct wind tunnel testing, engage in video production and use presentation software. It our belief that by empowering students to utilize technology at the point of instruction, students to develop skill sets today that will prepare them for success in tomorrow’s world.
I invite you to contact us for more information or for a personally guided tour.
Parents who consider WLHS as an option for schooling almost always want to know about our curriculum and the opportunities we provide outside the classroom.
The academic preparation we provide at WLHS is geared toward college level success. Over 90% of our graduates attend college. In fact, we recently partnered with Eastern Michigan University to allow students an opportunity to get started on college as early as their sophomore year through our Early College Alliance (ECA).
Regarding extra curricular opportunities, at a small, comprehensive high school like ours, the opportunity to be a part of organizations that shape our school’s culture are plentiful. We have had many students come here from surrounding schools with over 2000 students – there, these students were part of a team, maybe. At WLHS, these same students are stars!
Please, come join us and see what we’re all about.
