A Note from our Principal
Mr. Lambert S. Okma
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WIHI Welcome
Washtenaw International High School is tuition free, public, consortium high school for students in participating Washtenaw County school districts. It opened in Fall of 2011 to its first group of ninth grade students and currently has both grade 9 and grade 10 students. Our students are motivated, engaged, hard working and dedicated. In only one year’s time we have forged a culture that welcomes academic challenge, embraces diversity and supports personal development for all learners. WIHI is quickly becoming a model for high achievement across a diverse set of measures that support student development, address their individual needs and forge a common commitment to our school’s mission.
We provide a challenging, student-centered, inquiry-based sequence of courses with an emphasis on international understanding, cultural identity, multiple perspectives and critical thinking. The program emphasizes rigorous academic standards in disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge while keeping the student at the center of the educational process.
The school has been designed to meet all State of Michigan Graduation Requirements in addition to the 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, are now an IB Candidate school and anticipate authorization this March. Our staff and sophomores are eagerly anticipating next year’s IB schedule. WIHI has already proven that diversity, engaged students, depth of knowledge, challenging expectations and holistic development are complementary.
A little background about Mr. Okma-
Lambert (Bert) Okma, Principal
Washtenaw International High School consortium leaders named Lambert Okma, the consultant who has been assisting with the school’s development, as its first principal. Okma was the founder and former principal at the International Academy in Oakland County and currently serves as a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization Governance . The International Academy, the school Okma founded, was recognized by US News and World Report in 2009 as the number two public high school in the United States.
School leaders say he is the “right fit” for the school that will open this fall to 150 ninth graders at the former East Middle School in Ypsilanti. “We’re pleased that Mr. Okma has agreed to move from consultant to principal. His experience, expertise and leadership will serve both the students and school well,” said Bryan Girbach, superintendent of Milan Area Schools and member of the consortium leadership committee.
Okma is pleased to assume his new role. “It is exciting and gratifying to extend the benefits of an international curriculum to the students of Washtenaw county, particularly when the education will be rooted in both challenging expectations and a student-centered culture.”
Okma begins his new job on July 1. And, he’s anxious to get started. “There’s still much to do between now and the start of school in August. Most importantly, we are currently assembling an amazing group of teachers to build our school community,” he said.
Washtenaw International High School is tuition free, public, consortium high school for students in participating Washtenaw County school districts. It opened in Fall of 2011 to its first group of ninth grade students and currently has both grade 9 and grade 10 students. Our students are motivated, engaged, hard working and dedicated. In only one year’s time we have forged a culture that welcomes academic challenge, embraces diversity and supports personal development for all learners. WIHI is quickly becoming a model for high achievement across a diverse set of measures that support student development, address their individual needs and forge a common commitment to our school’s mission.
We provide a challenging, student-centered, inquiry-based sequence of courses with an emphasis on international understanding, cultural identity, multiple perspectives and critical thinking. The program emphasizes rigorous academic standards in disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge while keeping the student at the center of the educational process.
The school has been designed to meet all State of Michigan Graduation Requirements in addition to the 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, are now an IB Candidate school and anticipate authorization this March. Our staff and sophomores are eagerly anticipating next year’s IB schedule. WIHI has already proven that diversity, engaged students, depth of knowledge, challenging expectations and holistic development are complementary.
A little background about Mr. Okma-
Lambert (Bert) Okma, Principal
Washtenaw International High School consortium leaders named Lambert Okma, the consultant who has been assisting with the school’s development, as its first principal. Okma was the founder and former principal at the International Academy in Oakland County and currently serves as a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization Governance . The International Academy, the school Okma founded, was recognized by US News and World Report in 2009 as the number two public high school in the United States.
School leaders say he is the “right fit” for the school that will open this fall to 150 ninth graders at the former East Middle School in Ypsilanti. “We’re pleased that Mr. Okma has agreed to move from consultant to principal. His experience, expertise and leadership will serve both the students and school well,” said Bryan Girbach, superintendent of Milan Area Schools and member of the consortium leadership committee.
Okma is pleased to assume his new role. “It is exciting and gratifying to extend the benefits of an international curriculum to the students of Washtenaw county, particularly when the education will be rooted in both challenging expectations and a student-centered culture.”
Okma begins his new job on July 1. And, he’s anxious to get started. “There’s still much to do between now and the start of school in August. Most importantly, we are currently assembling an amazing group of teachers to build our school community,” he said.
