Bessie Hoffman School Philosophy

The mission of Bessie Hoffman Elementary is to provide each of our students with a continually progressing education in a multiage community of learners.

History and Organization

Bessie Hoffman Elementary School opened in the fall of 1997 at its present site on Willow Road.  Prior to that we existed as a K-2 multiage program at Model Elementary for two years. 

A team of parents and educators guided by Dr. William Miller from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District designed the K-5 multiage program.  This program, based on best practice, is designed to facilitate the needs of all students.

Bessie Hoffman is organized into three houses: The Lower House is composed of grades K-1; the Middle House is composed of grades 2-3 and the Upper House is composed of grades 4-5. This lets teachers work in teams to provide for learning in each house.

In our second year of operation at Model Elementary School as a K-2 program, the staff was able to receive High/Scope training and implemented that approach in the multiage model. 

When we became a K-5 building, new staff were trained in the High/Scope approach. 

Having just finished a three year contract of training with the High/Scope Foundation, the staff now has three trained High/Scope trainers and is committed to continuing with this successful approach to education.

As part of our model, we are using the Unified Systems approach to delivering special education services.  This is a full inclusion model.  Students benefit from recieving instruction in the regular classroom.  With this model we have been able to keep class sizes lower than in many schools. Students have special classes each day which include art, media, music, physical education and technology.  These classes are taught by district specialists.  Special teachers work with classroom teachers to expand themes being used in the classroom.

Parents

Parental involvement is a major component of our school.  Parents are always welcome and are encouraged to take an active role in their child's education both in and out of school.  You will see many parent volunteers at Bessie Hoffman.  Parents volunteer at their level of comfort and can be involved in helping to prepare classroom materials for teachers and/or helping to support the learning in classrooms.  Both working and stay-at-home parents have many opportunities.