About WIHI
WIHI Mission Statement:
Prepare our students to become knowledgeable, inquiring, and reflective citizens serving as empathetic ambassadors committed to a lifetime of personal, local, and global enrichment in our integrated world.
Overview of the School:
Washtenaw International High School is a free, public, consortium high school for students in participating Washtenaw County school districts. It opened in the Fall of 2011 to its first group of ninth grade students.
The school will provide a challenging, student-centered, inquiry-based sequence of courses with an emphasis on international understanding, cultural identity and the taking of multiple perspectives. It will be a program that emphasizes rigorous academic standards in disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge.
The school has been designed to meet all International Baccalaureate requirements for teacher training, course design and assessment frameworks. We started the process of authorization for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the spring of 2011.
The following Washtenaw County school districts have joined the consortium:
The school will provide a challenging, student-centered, inquiry-based sequence of courses with an emphasis on international understanding, cultural identity and the taking of multiple perspectives. It will be a program that emphasizes rigorous academic standards in disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge.
The school has been designed to meet all International Baccalaureate requirements for teacher training, course design and assessment frameworks. We started the process of authorization for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the spring of 2011.
The following Washtenaw County school districts have joined the consortium:
- Ann Arbor
- Lincoln
- Milan
- Saline
- Whitmore Lake
- Willow Run
- Ypsilanti
- Washtenaw Intermediate
Curriculum:
The curriculum is designed to align with the IB Diploma Program and Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements.
Extra-Curricular and Enrichment Activities:
Each teacher at WIHS will be expected to lead at least one club or after-school enrichment activity. Students will be able to particiapte in these enrichment activities offered at the school. In addition, students may opt to participate in their "home" high school extra-curricular activities and sports programs.
The School Day and Year:
The WIHS school day is scheduled to start at 7:45am and end at 2:35pm. The school year is 190 days with the first day of school being in August and finishing in June. Freshman orientation is during the second week of August.
School building and location:
The school is located in the newly renovated former East Middle School at 510 Emerick Street, Ypsilanti, MI, 48198. It is just minutes from the Huron Street exit on I-94.
Becoming an IB School - Process & Timeline:
WIHS is in the process of becoming authorized as an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This process involves a series of steps that demonstrate our commitment to fully embrace the International Baccalaurreate Diploma Program expectations. In includes a extensive and detailed application form, a site visit from IB personnel, and additional demonstrations of commitment to the IB expectations.
In February of 2011 the school started the IB authorization process by submitting an interested school form. In April of 2011 the school submitted the application for candidancy form and fees. Our final visit will take place in November of 2012.
In April of 2013, WIHI received it's notice of approval to be an Official IB Diploma World School. We expect to receive our official letter from the IB Director General in May of 2013.
In February of 2011 the school started the IB authorization process by submitting an interested school form. In April of 2011 the school submitted the application for candidancy form and fees. Our final visit will take place in November of 2012.
In April of 2013, WIHI received it's notice of approval to be an Official IB Diploma World School. We expect to receive our official letter from the IB Director General in May of 2013.
Teaching Staff:
Check the Faculty and Contact Us page for more information.
Consortium School Governance:
Each of the participating districts joined the consortium though board action at the district level.
The Joint Steering Committee is the governing body for the consortium. This committee consists of the school principal and the superintendents from the participating districts and is responsible for: 1) approval of a balanced operating budget, 2) appointment of the school director, 3) establishment of policies and rules to govern the consortium, 4) research and development of school curriculum, 5) evaluation of school programs, 6) establishment of duties and responsiblities of any advisory committee, 7) responsibility to take actions to assure revenues cover costs, 8) acquisition or installation of capital improvements and 9) any other matters set forth in the consortium agreement. The joint steering committee has an advisory committee for personnel and one for budget.
In addition to the joint steering committee, school level leadership and advisory groups will be formed.
The Joint Steering Committee is the governing body for the consortium. This committee consists of the school principal and the superintendents from the participating districts and is responsible for: 1) approval of a balanced operating budget, 2) appointment of the school director, 3) establishment of policies and rules to govern the consortium, 4) research and development of school curriculum, 5) evaluation of school programs, 6) establishment of duties and responsiblities of any advisory committee, 7) responsibility to take actions to assure revenues cover costs, 8) acquisition or installation of capital improvements and 9) any other matters set forth in the consortium agreement. The joint steering committee has an advisory committee for personnel and one for budget.
In addition to the joint steering committee, school level leadership and advisory groups will be formed.
School Funding:
The per-student state funding will follow each student to WIHS. Each district pays 100% of the state foundation allowance for each student enrolled in the program from their district on the September student count day. In addition, Washtenaw Intermediate School district is advancing start-up costs to WIHS in its first three years. Lastly, foundation and grant funding helps with specific captial improvement and programmatic needs.
