Livonia Career Technical Center

Nominated by Janet Haas

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During the 2009-2010 school year, the Livonia Career Technical Center (Livonia Public Schools) has received two notable awards. The first, from the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, is the Ready, Set, Success Award ($500 from MEEMIC). In addition, on February 1, 2010, the LCTC received Michigan Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education Excellence in Practice Award. Teachers have collaboratively integrated Algebra II into CTE programs at the Center.

Arts Academy in the Woods

Nominated by Jessica Woomer

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"My school is the best high school in Michigan because when you walk in, you feel welcomed and comfortable. Everyone is so different that it's never boring. I love to wake up and go to school every morning, to see what the day is going to bring. We prosper so much in the arts and other skills everyday, that when we get older we'll be thankful to AAW for helping us grow! I have so many friends there I can't count them all. I make new friends everyday and that is a good feeling, knowing that you're loved and that you belong there. I LOVE ARTS ACADEMY IN THE WOODS!"

Arts Academy in the Woods

Nominated by Marge VanTongeren

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"This school thrives on the intelligence, compassion, and loving attitudes of the kids and staff. Walk through these doors and you will find a very accepting atmosphere! Students here are academically challenged and allowed to express themselves artistically. I'm glad our daughter has been attending Arts Academy In The Woods for the past three years!"

Huron High School New Boston

Nominated by Ashley

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"I believe Huron High School should be nominated because we're not only a great school to be attending, but in the last year, Huron High received the greatest rating in our area. Changing over to the tri-semester system has given a larger percentage of the students even more of an opportunity to succeed."

Plymouth Canton Community School

Nominated by Sarah Armitage

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"It's an amazing set up of three high schools, one campus, and 6,000 kids!"

Messmore Montessori

Nominated by Gail Vougiouklakis

"The mission of Messmore Elementary School is to provide a Montessori environment that fosters self-motivated, responsible, life-long learners.

We believe that: Every individual possesses the potential for positive achievement. Every individual has the right to a safe and secure environment where trust, encouragement and support prevail. Every individual has the opportunity to learn in the most productive environment. The success skills (respect, responsibility, positive communication, personal best and integrity) are related to achieving one's potential. Fostering a lifelong love of learning is a shared responsibility of the students, the parents, the school and the community."

West Bloomfield High School

Nominated by Pamela Thompson

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"Talk about a school that wants EVERYTHING for their kids, West Bloomfield High School is just that. The administration, the coaches, the parents and the students, they all work together to make EVERY child become successful in whatever their passion is. I have seen even secretaries mentor and guide these students. TALK ABOUT A VILLAGE!! West Bloomfield High School is just that!"

South Lake District

Nominated by Robert Beato

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"South Lake has many great programs. One program that we are proud of is the LINK program. Link Crew is a peer mentoring program for students entering 9th grade. The program is based on the premise that older, more experienced, and successful students can help 9th grade students succeed in adjusting to the transition from middle school to high school. There is an orientation for the 9th grade students which includes an all-day program hosted by the Link Crew mentors and advisers. The orientation program includes large and small group activities designed to connect the students to each other, the mentor, and the school. Their questions are answered regarding life in high school, and walking tours help familiarize the students with the campus itself. Lunch is served to the 9th grade students and their mentors at the conclusion of the orientation. Sometimes a dance is held that same evening with only the 9th grade students and their Link Crew members invited to attend. During the school year, the Link Crew mentors sponsor activities for the 9th grade students. Strategies for success in high school are provided through activities and instruction in 9th grade classes, usually taking place during seminar. Ideally, the program includes ongoing mentoring of the freshmen by the selected upperclassmen. The goal of the program is to prepare 9th grade students for the challenges of high school and to empower them to get involved.

Since the creation of the LINK program, our freshmen failure rate is one of the lowest in Macomb County.

South Lake students start learning Mandarin and Spanish in elementary and middle schools. The high school also has award winning consortium classes that are offered to the surrounding school districts. Auto mechanics, culinary arts, anatomy, and journalism are also offered. In addition, we
provide more AP classes then the larger schools in our area. Students have an excellent opportunity to challenge themselves in AP history, AP stats, AP calculus, AP psychology, AP Spanish, AP chemistry, and AP literature. South Lake High School had one of its science teachers, recognized nationally as one of the top environmental science teachers, travel to Antarctica to study bacteria in the glaciers. She even kept in contact with her students via podcasting and blogging."

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Nominated by Ralph Bland

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"Detroit Edison Public School Academy is the first and only Charter School in the state of Michigan to ever win the Michigan State Board of Education Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award! Come see what our award winning programs and staff can do for children!"

Bulman Elementary School

Nominated by Tomena Rawls

"Before Bulman Elementary School, my son, Jarvis Byrd Jr., was unable to speak, due to being partially deaf since the age of two. While attending another school district that failed my other three children, and with the odds of my children being 1-1/2 to 2 years behind their current grade, Redford Union Schools gave my children the ability to learn and to accept and appreciate diversity.

Parents here love all of our Redford Union Schools, but Bulman Elementary, under the supervision of Mrs. Susan Stanley, Principal, and
the leadership of Mrs. Rhodes, our District Supervisor, should be spotlighted. As a parent of a child with special needs, I find that my
school district is THE best in Michigan! Have you ever seen children ready and willing to go to school each and everyday while hating to see the day end? Have you every heard children complain when there is an upcoming break in the school year? But most of all, have you ever seen any parent have a smile on their face when entering the school building, as if they were a child again? But when your time is up and you have to move on to the next grade, on to a new school, you feel as though you are moving away, and losing a friend? And every single time you think about it, tears are in your eyes? That's Bulman. That's the effects that Mrs. Stanley and her staff will have on you when you visit - every time. My son loves this school, and so do I, and so do the residents of Redford Township. Jarvis Jr. is now an honor student and has been for four years. I know this would not be possible if it weren't for the teachers here and the entire school district, for they always put our children first! Believe me when I say, "There is NO child left behind" here. My son is living proof!

Thank you for your time and please consider Bulman Elementary School the home of the mighty 'Bulldogs'."

Visions Unlimited

Nominated by Lisa Wiltrakis

"Visions Unlimited is an exemplary post secondary special education school servicing districts from Oakland County. At Visions, special education students have the opportunity to participate in vocational training within the surrounding communities. These work site enclaves allow the students to learn new skills while on the job. Some of our work enclaves include, Pizza Hut, Macys, Red Robin, Busch's Markets, Baptist Manor Retirement Community, McDonalds and many more. The staff at Visions is made up of hard working, caring and very special people who demonstrate a love for working and teaching the developmentally disabled."

Tappan Middle School

Nominated by Celia Schroeder

"They have a wonderful choir section that has been led by a wonderful choir director for over 10 years. Our daughter loves singing and loves this program. I love this program. I was told they win awards every year in competition. They have a wonderful math excel program as well. The teachers are wonderful and it is just a big, happy school."

Warren Mott High School

Nominated by Erin Jackson

"Warren Mott has been the best school I've gone to. This is why. Warren Mott High School has so many program for students like me. One is called CPC, Career Prep Center This center has hi-tech computer training in the medical field. What ever you want to do in life, CPC has a wonderful program for it. Warren Consolidated is preparing us for the world ahead. What I love most is the fact that Warren Mott is very hands-on, not just text books."

University Hills Elementary-Rochester Hills

Nominated by Dawn

"The school has a great principal, a very involved PTA , and great teachers. University Hills is A Bucket Filling Community Focused on Respect, Caring and Safety."

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Nominated by Brock Fitzpatrick

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Walled Lake Schools is just a wonderful school! The staff always ensure students understand the curriculum of what is going on and to ensure they will do terrific on test. Teachers will also spend time, after hours, to help tutor kids on their own time. These extra times to help students make the district receive more high test scores as each building's score is always over the county and state average score on the MEAP and ACT. The administrators and staff makes sure parents gets all of the information they need! The district also provides a lot of technology so students can get learn how to be in class using a variety of different materials and media. The athletic teams are also quite great as state champions for the high school and also champs in the district-wide. All the buildings are NCA accredited and many are Michigan & National Exemplery schools. With that, most of the schools were awarded being the most energy efficient from EnergyStar, Michigan green schools, and many more. The district is always looking to give back to the community that gives them so much!