International Academy

While the rigor is not for every student, for most students, the school is an AMAZING experience that prepares them well for college and life. It is an extraordinary public high school -- from the culture to the academic program. Anybody with children in the area with motivated children would want to consider this opportunity.
—Submitted by a parent

I begin to doubt that a lot of comments are written on the same dates, meaning people with same minds collaborated to write something only good for the school. Maybe it is wirtten by the school to promote themselves???? I'm very suspicious of the all the 4-5 stars on the same dates. Is the school honest???? I will have to give it a second thought.

RE:White Lake Campus. Before deciding to send your student here, take a close look at the different campuses and separate their statistics and teacher/student retention rates, if you can. The school does a presentation attempting to lump the Bloomfield Hills campus with the others in order to improve their statistics. Know that you will not be getting the same education, reputation, and treatment on each campus. The White Lake campus practically begged us to register.Look carefully at the difference in classes and cirriculum available at each. Consider the difficulty in transferring the credits to another hs if you find that the pressure and priorities here do not match your student. They will tell you students may take classes at the BH campus, but the odds of this working with your student's schedule are poor.Also, ask why other school districts have recently withdrawn from this collective. Is some of the pressure on students here created or necessary?Is well-roundedness encouraged?The upside, of course, is that your student will be surrounded by self-motivated individuals with high goals and have constant homework. This may result in good college prep or clinical depression.
—Submitted by a parent

this is an amazing school. I first came here and expected a bunch of nerds, but i found none. Fine, there were a couple, but still the school is filled with talent in both academics and extra-curricular activities. Going to this school requires a lot of hard work and dedication. There is A LOT of homework. Many talented people. there is no lonely kid or someone who everyone hates. No fights. The school is very peaceful and the teachers and great. There are some teachers who are not good but over all there are more good teachers than bad teachers. The food is okay. Over all this school is the best place i have ever gone to.
—Submitted by a student

As an alumna of the IA, I know that the IA made a huge impact on my life and really led me to where I am today. There is not a single person in my graduating class who would disagree. At the IA, students who want to learn are surrounded by peers who want the same, and teachers who want to inspire their students. There is a lot of work involved - probably why the IA sometimes gets poor reviews by frustrated students who need an outlet for their stress - but it's definitely worth it. While the IA helps students go on to terrific universities and careers, it also creates a strong community. I graduated five years ago and still communicate with my friends, and even classmates I didn't know too well during my time at IA. The community is still very strong, and we all support each other in our current projects and endeavors years after we have graduated.

In this opinion of this former student (and his roommate, who also attended the IA) while IA can send your child to a good school, it also provides a terrible environment for growing as a person. Simply put, the administration couldn't care less about the student body. They have no issues with harming the educational life of their students in order to maintain the prestige of the school. Also, in my experience their policies and mismanagement tended to drive out the higher quality teachers as well. So while the school puts up fantastic statistics (as evidenced by this site), in good conscious I can't recommend attending it for the full for years, if only as a matter of the students mental well-being.
—Submitted by a student

This school has a good base but at its west campus(Where I Attend) I find some deficiency in the teaching and most of the students have a horrible attitude towards this school. Only the people who like it write these reviews. Its good but i just dropped out and started college. Did not like it that much.
—Submitted by a student

Wow, This place is unique. They do a lot with a little. Other schools could learn a lot from this method. If only all the schools held their students to these high standards...
—Submitted by a parent

The IA is an amazing school for high quality and challenging courses and a very friendly supportive environment that looks to have every student succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

It's very international, you learn a lot about other cultures! You get to make friends with people with different heretiges and cultures.
—Submitted by a student

My brother loves this school. The curriculum really challenges him.

The International has definitely been a great influence in my life. Not only is the education amazing, but the students base is more driven than I have ever seen before. Each on of my classmates go to the IA in pursuit of attaining one of the nation's best education, and they do so knowing the fact that hard work is needed on a daily basis. My school could not be any better than it already is.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a student there. Besdides being one of the top schools in the entire nation, my son has studied at the International school in Dusseldorf, Germany but he feels it doesn't even compare to the IA in Bloomfield Hills, MI. He loves the International Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to the IA, and we are so happy with her experience. The teachers are very dedicated, the kids are motivated to learn, and the after school activities are incredible. The drama department is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter actually said I was right! She does love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

It offers an IB diploma, how cool is that?
—Submitted by a student

Excellent engagement of students in the learning process. Emphasis on language and communication. Multi-cultural experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My nephew who is brilliant, creative and openhearted is thriving here. The diversity and tolerance coupled with the high academic standards is a model for all high schools

It's the best place to get the best education. All students attending the International Academy are proud of their work ethics and their success academically.
—Submitted by a student

Most diversity you'll ever see!
—Submitted by a parent