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Willow Run’s dismal student achievement numbers may be the key to turning around the eastern Washtenaw County school district, officials said Thursday night.

That’s because the numbers - including a 45 percent graduation rate - place the district’s high school in the lowest 5 percent of schools in the state. And that, in turn, makes Willow Run eligible for between $50,000 and $2 million in state funds each year for the next three years.

To get the money, the district has to get state to sign off on a plan to revamp the high school.

willow_run_students.jpg

Last month, selected Willow Run sophomores and juniors participated in June Development Day for the new Link Crew Program beginning in the fall.

Photo courtesy of Willow Run Community Schools

"Our plan (is) bold because we can’t do the same thing we’ve been doing year after year,” said Principal Kelly Webb.

The plan calls for establishing a STEMM magnet school inside the high school focusing on science, math and engineering and a cyber school academy.

“Our end result is improving our student achievement in our high school,” said acting Superintendent Laura Lisiscki.

She said the current numbers are “unacceptable.”

Those numbers:

  • Only 47 percent of the high school’s 10th, 11th and 12th graders are on track to graduate.
  • The graduation rate is 45 percent.
  • The average ACT score is 16 points.
  • 23 percent of students are proficient on state tests.

Other changes in the plan include more extended day or extended year options for students; getting a 1-to-1 computing for STEMM students; shifting to a project-based learning environment, increasing the safety at the school and involving the community in the school through mentorships, community service and internships.

The goals:

  • Increase the percent of students who are proficient on state tests to 70 percent.
  • Increase the graduation rate to 85 percent.
  • Spend at least 40 percent of instructional time on project-based learning.
  • Create opportunities for all students to earn college credit.
  • Make sure every student graduates with an internship, mentorship or community service experience.
  • Increase student enrollment by 25 percent.

“It’s a three-year plan,” said Bob Galardi, a former Ann Arbor school district teacher, principal and central administrator who is a consultant to the district. “The expectation is that what we do this year is only the beginning.”

The district submitted the plan to the state Wednesday. Officials expect to get an initial reaction back by Aug. 1, with final submission to the state in mid-August.

School board President Sheri Washington said it can be hard to hear an organization is among the worst in the state.

"That’s almost a blessing in disguise because of the opportunity we have to rebuild Willow Run High School and get some help to do so. It’s nice to see a framework with which we can work.

“There’s a lot at stake here.”

David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.

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