Feature Photos: Model High School Commencement

Students talk about how the unique educational experience allowed them opportunities to discover who they are.

  Graduation: It's that time of year in the Bloomfield Hills Schools. Model High School students kicked off the festivities Saturday with a free-flowing ceremony honoring their work and guidance from school officials. For more than 20 years, Model students apply and are accepted to a program that provides an opportunity to take classes that are more self-directed. There are no tests, but student take on self-directed projects – some extremely complex – that often fuel their passions. This gallery was submitted by Bloomfield Patch super-user Nancy Hanus, a proud mother of a graduating senior at both Model and Andover high schools. Know of a student that graduated Saturday or will don the cap and gown next Sunday? Post your photos to our …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (31)

Joan Berndt

9:40 am on Monday, June 4, 2012

Very nice pictures, Mrs. Hanus! One little correction: in the picture of your daughter shaking hands in the reception line, it was Ingrid Day whose hand she clasped. I was next to Ingrid and had just congratulated Stacy before this picture was snapped. All the graduates inspiring and heartfelt words motivate us to continue to preserve our comprehensive curriculum. It was an honor to be part of …   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Parents Hiding the Detroit Experience

In this teen's opinion, giving a little to the city means getting much more back in return.

My name is Alex Gaggino, and I am a senior at Lahser High School. I live in Bloomfield Hills, but I am an active community member of Detroit. In late September, I attended the TEDx Detroit conference with two teachers from Model High School. Although the conference covered innovations in technology, education, and design, the common theme was progression in Detroit. I listened to enthusiastic speakers talk about the increased beauty of the city, the growing art community, and new cool programs available in Detroit. I realized that it is the responsibility of my generation to continue this growth. Unfortunately, high school students have fear rather than enthusiasm when it comes to Detroit’s future. I hear things like: "My parents don’t let…

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Graduate's View: Model High's Jessica Jones

Jessica Jones, graduate of Model High School in Bloomfield Hills, wrote this message in advance of Saturday's graduation cermony.

Jessica Jones reflects on her graduation from Model High School after the Saturday ceremony. Our society has become more concerned with producing high quality televisions than encouraging high quality people. At Model, we believe that's backwards. Our goal since 1989 has been to instill values into students that will prepare them for a well-rounded, successful life. We don't measure success by how fat the wallet...we measure success by level of integrity, honesty, competence, and respect in a person. To become an engaged, amicable person, the student must first be treated like a person...not like a machine on an assembly line. Model is a place for building character. That's who we, the students and staff at Model, are: a big bunch of …

• Photos (1)