International Academy
- Public
- BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Public School
International Academy
- grade A+Overall Grade
- Public
- 9-12
- BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
- Rating 4.04 out of 5 649 reviews
International Academy Reviews
Rating 4.04 out of 5 649 reviews
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I went to International Academy West for 3 years. It wasn't until I got out that i realized how damaging the culture can be. I'm rating this higher than i would otherwise because I LOVED the teachers there, best ones you'll ever have (especially the French one), but the culture and normalization of not being acknowledged for your work is upsetting. All of the classes there, bar the electives, are college level. This makes the course load hard. Even though this course load is harder than a normal school's, there is next to no acknowledgement for doing well. there arent academic awards or real "honors", there is just school. plain school. Not to mention now the teachers are working under an expired contract, so they work more hours than a regular teacher in Huron Valley but get paid criminally less.
I really have enjoyed my time at international academy. While the courses may be rigorous, I have learned an incredible amount. Not just about the subject, but also how it is applied in real life and not just on a test. The classes have all prepared me very well for college. The staff and community are all amazing and there is always someone willing to help. There are so many ways to get academic help in the many subjects through student programs as well as emotional help through the wonderful counselors.
The quality of education here is very good, but the facilities are poor and underfunded. The teachers are working on an expired contract and are severely underpaid compared to other teachers working in the same area. The students here are very focused on learning, but it is a very competitive school. However, the community at IA is very welcoming and rewarding to be a part of.
The International Academy is a wonderful place to learn and grow as a student and individual and to get prepared for the rigor of college. The teachers are usually understanding and attentive to the needs of the students within the school. I'll admit, as with any International Baccalaureate program, the junior and senior years are challenging and not for the faint of heart, but I think the knowledge and skills that you can pull out of that are worth it if you choose to make it that way.
This school and program being an International Baccalaureate school is best to attend if you plan on going to university internationally. I think that if you want to go to school in America, you should stick to APs.
Great community. The community was very open and friendly. There was a significant variety of cultures involved in the school, making it easier to connect with people. The courses provided tend to be taught at a high level, but there is little variety in the subjects offered. In addition, the school was slightly understaffed. The school had to rely heavily on substitutes, which was not ideal for learning. The amount of sports and clubs offered were lacking. The school did not have its own sports team, so students had to play for their own high school to be involved. Overall the experience was average. I personally place high value on a diverse, open community and academic variety compared to sports and club activities offered.
The curriculum offers a worldly perspective that is often lost in American schools and that greatly enhances the education and prospectives of the students. The student body is drawn from several districts, offering a sense of diversity in each classroom that complements the coursework. While the curriculum is demanding, all of the teachers are extremely attentive and understanding to each students circumstances. Since the school is small, there is a level of transparency and respect between the students and teachers that is lost at larger schools. There are numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement that the staff encourage, and the small community makes clubs and teams more accessible. There is a common mindset amongst the school population of mutual success, and teachers and students alike approach each other with opportunities that stand out to colleges and develop a sense of personal fulfillment. Unique requirements like enrichments further enhance student experience.
Though the workload was intense, it helped me prepare for college. Teachers are engaging and always willing to help students whenever they want or need. On that note, academics is excellent here and there are enough clubs and groups for people to find a place, though most of the class will get to know each other well since the class population is fairly small.
The challenge. Everyone helps one another here, very accepting of various circumstances. Student-created and led clubs. Sports are done with local schools within Oakland county schools. The first full IB curriculum in the U.S.
The teachers are always willing to help and to guide students. The entire school staff helps prepare us (the students) for college. Our SAT and ACT scores are typically 1300+.
The teachers are always willing to help and to guide students. The entire school staff helps prepare us (the students) for college. Our SAT and ACT scores are typically 1300+.
This is the absolute best high school experience I could have ever asked for. The people are excellent, and the teachers are the most supportive I have ever met. Truly an unmatched community with an unmatched curriculum. The workload is hard, I will not lie, but ample time management is what you need to succeed.
I love the community of students, as everyone is very supportive and kind. Each grade has a smaller population of students than other high schools do, and I find this really helpful with getting to know people better. However, I wish that we would have more things that an average high school does, like sports and off-campus lunch.
IA is a truly incredible place to go through high school. With a challenging curriculum and diverse student body, the International academy truly goes above and beyond expectations. The administration works diligently to ensure that the needs of every student are taken care of, which is especially important because of the rigor of the curriculum. My only critique would be of the building itself. The physical school could use some major renovations.
I’m so glad I decided to go here. The students and staff are amazing, and there is an overall great community.
International Academy East is a rigorous school that has helped teachers and a tight community! And clubs and activities which truly make you branch out, even if there's no sports right at the school, sports are connected and used!
I am a freshman here at the International Academy or the 'IA.' Joining a new school, in a different city during a pandemic was, I will admit, quite scary. However, since having been attending in person and online here at the IA for around seven months, I can, without a doubt, say that my fears were unfounded. The IA is amazing: people are welcoming and the amount of religious, ethnic, and political diversity is unrivaled. The teachers and staff are amazing: they want students to succeed and are willing to go the extra mile to help them do that.
One thing I would change about IA is the class size. If class sizes were smaller it would be easier for students to learn: due to more opportunities to participate and questions during class. According to Fremont College, “...fewer than 20 students...results in more individual attention... participation, and... communication...” Smaller class sizes would be a very beneficial change, but as a whole, the IA is an outstanding school.
One thing I would change about IA is the class size. If class sizes were smaller it would be easier for students to learn: due to more opportunities to participate and questions during class. According to Fremont College, “...fewer than 20 students...results in more individual attention... participation, and... communication...” Smaller class sizes would be a very beneficial change, but as a whole, the IA is an outstanding school.
I'm already in my 2nd semester as a freshmen in this High School. Before I came here, I read many reviews about how amazing this school is academically and socially. So far, I have been in amazing clubs and opportunities that will help in the future. Not only does this school prepares you for college, it also is very safe and caring environment. Everybody including the teachers and staffs are very polite and well-mannered. Everybody respects each others pronouns, backgrounds, and culture which is another reason why I really like this school. The diversity and environment of this school is very amazing. Overall, my experience has been great in this school so far and would definitely recommended others who want to prepared for college to come here.
I like that the school challenges me since it is an International Baccalaureate school. It has taught me a lot of study skills and overall perseverance.