Ann Arbor Open School

Story

Ann Arbor Open School is a progressive school of choice in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade and admissions are based on a lottery. With the exception of Kindergarten, all classes are multi-graded, and the school embraces child-centered, project-based curriculum that is responsive to the children's interests.HistoryThe first informal classrooms in Ann Arbor Public Schools were established in 1971, followed by Community High School in 1972 and a centralized Middle Years Alternative program in 1976. An elementary open school program was established in 1982 and was located on various campuses of traditional schools in the district until they were given their own principal and facility in 1986, when Bach Open School began. The sixth grade was moved up to the Middle Years Alternative school in 1989. In the fall of 1998 the open program was moved to the larger Mack Building, and it was decided that it would absorb Middle Years Alternative program becoming a kindergarten through 8th grade school. The school was renamed "Ann Arbor Open School." The school added one grade per year as Middle Years Alternative was phased out. The 2000/2001 school year saw Ann Arbor Open as a full K-8 school.PhilosophyBased on the work of John Dewey, open education emphasizes the education of the whole child. Children are given maximum responsibility and choice in their education, while adults facilitate their movement towards academic and social achievements. Whenever possible, children are taught via their interests and via hands on projects. The school attempts to use democratic principles in and outside the classroom. Major policy decisions are made by all parents, students and staff on a one-person-one-vote basis.