Volume 5 No. 10

YPSILANTI, MI – COVID-19 impacted all schools and each one had unique challenges to overcome. For the faculty at Arbor Preparatory High School (APHS), one of the biggest challenges was how students advanced educationally with the virtual learning option rather than having in-person learning all week. The gap in learning is an area the faculty is focused on addressing over the summer so they can kick off the 2021-2022 school year with an excited and positive outlook for exceptional results. “We’re really focusing on how we can get kids acclimated to being back in the building,” says Principal Travis Batt. Coming off a hybrid model with three days in-person and two online, Principal Batt shares how the school never experienced a full week of kids walking through the halls last year. Now, things have changed again in preparation for the fall, “We don’t have a virtual option this year but we are a sister school to a virtual school that is an option for parents. But we have a lot of students who are saying they are ready to come back.” Amidst the difficulties of the past year, Principal Batt found stories of victory in his school, “Our attendance rate was at ninety-three percent even with the virtual and hybrid model. We had a lot of kids in the early college program that passed all their classes. And our teachers were absolutely amazing. It took a little bit of adjustment but once the adjusting was done, they were meeting kids where they needed to be met. They were holding office hours in the evening; they were rocking by the end of the year.”

These results can be traced back to Principal Batt’s teaching philosophy, “I think learning should be fun. I went into this job to be with students and I think that if you’re building strong relationships with kids, they can do anything.” This is the impetus behind Arbor Preparatory High School’s innovation during the past year. Batt continues, “Every kid that walks into that building can learn and we just have to find the right way to spark that interest for those kids. I’ll let my teachers try anything as long as it’s going to benefit the kids. I trust my staff and I trust that we’re always going to do what’s best for the kids.” The focus for this upcoming year is re-acclimation to in-person classes. Principal Batt says, “We have to be patient. We’re going to have to adapt and be flexible and do everything in our power to get these students back to the trajectory they were on before March 13th, 2020. We’re in for a year that is going to be challenging, interesting, and one that I’m excited about. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for teachers to shine this year.” Great job, Arbor Preparatory High School!

Arbor Preparatory High School is located in Ypsilanti, MI was authorized by Bay Mills in 2011. To learn more about APHS, visit their website here.

About Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools

Bay Mills Community College began authorizing charter schools in the year 2000 and now authorizes 46 schools serving approximately 23,660 students.   Our Mission: To ensure a quality education for urban, minority, and/or poor children by improving and expanding educational opportunities through innovative oversight methods. To provide academy boards with the necessary support and training so that they may make educated decisions that are in the best interest of the students that attend their academies.