Bond 2020

Over the past several months, we have made significant progress with our bond construction. Here are some of the highlights:

Elementary Playgrounds 

Conant, Eastover, Lone Pine, and Way are all scheduled to have new playgrounds for the 2023-24 school year. The playground equipment has been ordered and drawings of the design are included on the Elementary Bond webpage. 

Elementary & Middle School Secure Vestibules

As school districts look to enhance their overall security measures, access control becomes an issue of increasing importance. Secure vestibules provide an environment where a school can begin their screening process for those about to enter their facility. At BHS, secure vestibules will provide both an audio and visual means to assist with this process. The new secure vestibule entrances will be complete for the 2023-24 school year for NHMS, SHMS, Conant, and Way. The secure vestibules at Eastover and Lone Pine will be constructed for the 2024-25 school year.

Elementary Kindergarten Wings 

Conant, Eastover, Lone Pine, and Way are all scheduled to have new kindergarten wings for the 2023-24 school year. Construction on Conant and Way kindergarten wings is well underway. Eastover (current EHMS) will begin construction on June 17 and Lone Pine (current WHMS) has begun construction on this wing. 

Conant and Way

A desire to improve traffic flow for Conant was shared during the scope & design process, inquired about during the bond campaign process, and was a goal during the project planning. An external traffic study was conducted and recommended that in order to improve traffic flow for Conant, bus traffic and personal vehicle traffic needed to be separated. In working with our partners at Bloomfield Township, a solution was suggested that not only met the goal to improve traffic flow in the parking lot, but also met the requirements of fire safety by creating a fire lane to access as much of the building as possible for emergency vehicles. The new fire lane entrance off Forest Way will access the east and north side of Conant, and also provide a designated bus-only traffic lane. This loop will have a locked gate that will only be opened for buses and emergency vehicles. At Way, fire lanes will also be added.

Preschool 

Bloomin’ will continue to operate all three current locations of preschools - Conant, Fox Hills, and Lone Pine - for the 2023-24 school year. Construction and building transition will not impact operations next year.

SHMS & NHMS

We are seeing incredible progress in the bond work being completed at the new South Hills Middle School and North Hills Middle School locations. Some highlights include: 

• New main office construction is well underway at SHMS.
• SHMS parking lot and student drop off / pick up lane enhancements are underway and parking lot reconfiguration will begin in the summer and be ready for the start of school.
• New furniture has been ordered and will be installed for the start of the 2023-24 school year in both schools.
• The NHMS new pool is currently being constructed and is on schedule for completion for the 2023-24 school year.
• The NHMS parking lot construction has begun and will take shape throughout the summer. 
• NHMS softball field remains offline through spring of 2024.
• NHMS baseball field is in playable condition for this summer. Parking and access may be restricted. 
• The track and outdoor artificial turf will remain open throughout the spring and summer at NHMS. 

Catchment & Transition Events 

• Middle School families are invited to a Middle School Orientation Night at the BHHS Auditorium (SHMS May 1 / NHMS May 8). Parents/guardians of incoming 6th graders are encouraged to attend the 6-7 p.m. session and parents/guardians of incoming 7th and 8th graders are encouraged to attend the 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. session. Please direct any questions to your principal.
• Middle School students will participate in grade level orientation days during the school day at BHHS and Bowers School Farm. This transition event will provide an opportunity for all incoming BHS middle school students to participate in team building with their new classmates. More information will be shared in May with middle school families.
  • June 6: Incoming 6th graders 
  • June 7: Incoming 7th graders 
  • June 8: Incoming 8th graders
• Elementary Transition Tour and Coffee Open Houses (Way and Conant May 10 / Eastover and Lone Pine May 17). These transition events are an opportunity to see the neighborhood schools that current and future students will attend next year. Families will take a self-guided tour to learn about the progress of spaces, such as the media center, cafetorium, kindergarten wing, and playground. Please direct any questions to your principal.

Over the past several months, we have made some significant progress with our bond construction. Here are some the highlights in a few our spaces: 

North Hills Middle School

• Sub-floor is being installed in the gym and new basketball hoops have been installed
• Priming and painting of walls is happening
• Ceiling panels and lights are being installed above the pool
• Drywall finishing throughout the building
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing installs continue
• Water main/ sewer work continues in the future parking lot
• Pool deck has been poured

South Hills Middle School

• Concrete masonry unit walls are being constructed for the new office
• Concrete masonry unit walls are being constructed for the new music rooms
• Roof joists/decking/roof membrane have been installed over the auditorium space
• Items on the punch list are worked on after school hours on an ongoing basis
• Steel joists on-site and ready to be installed
• Roof decking has been installed over auditorium
• New bus loop and carpool pick up and drop off process began in September

Conant Elementary

• Interior door/window frames are being installed
• Roof joists/decking/roof membrane have been installed over the multi-purpose room space
• Exterior brick façade is being installed
• Interior wall painting and priming has started
• Drywall work and finishing continues
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing installs continue
• Concrete floors have been poured in the multi purpose room addition
• Parking loop and pick up and drop off protocol changes were implemented in September

Way Elementary

• Brick is starting to be installed on the exterior façade on the classroom addition
• Roofing has started to be installed over both additions
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing installs continue
• Interior wall painting and priming has started
• Drywall work and finishing continues
• Masons will start laying brick for the arches over the new openings to match the existing building
• Some playground equipment that was removed in the spring has been reinstalled to be enjoyed by Way students throughout this year. 

PPS/Transportation

• The district architect is working on design development drawings

High School Athletics

• The design package is being reviewed
• The field design has been approved
• The turf is being purchased
• The architect is working on designs for the new concession stand and wellness areas 

Elementary School Playgrounds

• Selection committee met and selected Sinclair Recreation for elementary playgrounds
• The selection was presented to the BHS Board of Education on December 15, 2022
• The selection committee will see proposals in early 2023

Elementary School Gymnasiums

After extensive discussion between administration, athletics, and our bond partners, Bloomfield Hills Schools will align all four elementary schools to have sports court flooring in their gymnasiums. This court flooring will better meet the needs of our student population for the wide variety of athletic activities and events performed at the elementary grade levels, and is cost effective compared to turfed flooring. This also supports our recreational goals as we explore more avenues for community engagement in our elementary spaces.

 

Boundary Study and New Catchment Border Map 

Over the course of the 2021-22 school year, BHS administrators, teachers, parents, and community members reviewed and approved attendance boundary changes that will be implemented in Fall 2023. The goal of new catchment boundaries is to establish four equitably sized kindergarten through grade 5 elementary schools and two equitably sized grade 6 through 8 middle schools. The intention is to balance enrollment to approximately 550 students at each elementary school, and approximately 600 to 650 students in each middle school. To view both the current map as well as the map that will go into effect in the 2023-24 school year, click here. To view specific maps of changing neighborhoods, click here. 

 

In the Fall of 2022, BHS families in the catchment areas made their selections related to the Legacy Transfer Options. In Winter 2023, BHS administrators will move forward with the catchment transition plan by partnering with the PTOC and planning community events that welcome families into their new spaces. 

 

Summer 2022 was a major construction period at North Hills Middle School, Bloomfield Hills Middle School (will be known as South Hills Middle School in Fall 2023), Conant Elementary School, and Way Elementary School, with $30 million in construction being accomplished. Significant work has already been completed, and students and staff alike are enjoying some of the new spaces. While some construction zones may be visible throughout the year, this is an indication of improvements to our physical spaces that are on the horizon. Construction noises will be kept to a minimum during school day hours, and by Fall 2023, most of the spaces will be complete. Interior renovation plans for all four elementary schools are in progress, with that work taking place in Summer 2023, and with costs totaling $50 million. Thank you to the students, staff, parents, and community members for patience during the construction process. Special thanks to our administrative team for their leadership throughout this time of change, and for making the beginning of this school year a smooth success. Read on for more updates on school-specific construction projects and overall bond planning. Bloomfield Hills Schools is thrilled to share this exciting construction update, and thanks the community for passing the 2020 Bond, enabling this important work to happen!

Elementary School Gymnasiums

After extensive discussion between administration, athletics, and our bond partners, Bloomfield Hills Schools will align all four elementary schools to have sports court flooring in their gymnasiums. This court flooring will better meet the needs of our student population for the wide variety of athletic activities and events performed at the elementary grade levels, and is cost effective compared to turfed flooring. This also supports our recreational goals as we explore more avenues for community engagement in our elementary spaces.

Construction Updates and Driving Procedures at Conant Elementary School

Visitors to Conant will be buzzed in at the office entrance to access the building. Once inside the building, you will see the same consistent pathways and classroom spaces as last school year. There is no significant construction happening inside the building throughout the school year. Over Summer 2022, two new spaces were constructed in the Media Center, including a space for a resource room. The construction at the front of the school will be a new state-of-the art five classroom kindergarten wing, along with the main office, and additional learning spaces, all of which will be completed by Fall 2023.

The pick up and drop off loops have been adjusted for this school year to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. Please watch this video to learn about driving protocols for this year. Of particular importance, during drop-off and pick-up times, Lane 1 (far-right lane closest to Telegraph Road) is for cars only to enter; Lane 2 is for buses only to enter; and Lane 3 is for cars to exit with only right-hand turns onto Quarton Road. Drivers should remain in their vehicles at all times during drop-off and pick-up times to keep car lanes moving. Bus transportation is highly encouraged to help minimize congestion. Neighborhood walkers enter through the back doors by the baseball diamond only. No walkers may enter through the front doors. 

 

Construction Updates at Way Elementary School
At Way Elementary, drop off and pick up procedures remain the same as last year, with no change to traffic flow patterns. There has been a reduction in parking spots, so families are encouraged to use bus transportation to reduce parking lot congestion. The construction of the new cafeteria and gymnasium combination space is underway. Work has also begun on the five classroom wing additions, which will become the new kindergarten space. Inside the building, interior renovations have been made in the media center in order to accommodate two additional classrooms currently being used by the Specials classes.

Some playground equipment that was removed in the spring has been reinstalled to be enjoyed by Way students throughout this year. 

 

Construction Updates and Driving Procedures at BHMS - South Hills Middle School

The bus loop and carpool pick up and drop off process has changed from past years. The parking lot near the tennis courts is now for bus drop-off and pick-up, as well as a staff parking lot. Student carpool drop-off and pick-up will be limited to the carpool loop only. 

A new feature of the summer construction is an entirely new wing, which is an incredible space for teaching and learning. About half of the original school was renovated. These renovations include: the front office located in the former Gateway Learning Space; counselor offices in grade level hallways; the addition of a special education suite with a private courtyard; three common collaborative areas for grade level use; updated ventilation/HVAC systems in classrooms; three new banks of bathrooms for each grade level; technology, safety, and security upgrades; updated flooring in the center and back of the building; LED lighting; science labs; 12 pilot furniture classrooms; and flexible dividing walls in several classrooms.

Students, families, and staff will be excited to see the construction that began over Summer 2022, to the east of the main BHMS campus, become a state-of-the-art cafeteria/auditorium. This will feature lunch buddy rooms, tiered seating, high top seating, and a beautiful new stage. Adjacent to the stage will be a new music wing for band and orchestra rooms. A hallway is being constructed, running parallel to the front of the building, to create a front entrance to this new performing arts area. The area that currently functions as a cafeteria will be converted into a clinic, a conference space, a new drama classroom (utilizing the stage that already exists), and storage areas. These changes will all be completed by Fall 2023.

 

Construction Updates at North Hills Middle School (former Lahser campus)

At North Hills Middle School, with no students on campus, construction is well underway to develop the new state-of-the-art middle school which will open in Fall 2023. North Hills will feature a swimming pool, and the pool deck for this is being poured in September 2022. The majority of the roofing is complete, and the majority of the concrete floors are poured. Window installations have begun. 

 

Former Lahser High School’s physical spaces are being renovated, including the gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria, band and orchestra rooms, existing hallway spaces, and offices. The new addition being constructed will include learning communities for 6th - 8th grade levels, with eight classes in each grade level wing. Special education classrooms will be adjacent to the grade level hallways. The learning community area is being built to structurally support a second floor, should one be needed based on increasing student enrollment. Exterior improvements also include parking lot upgrades. The pool area will feature a separate entrance for community members.

 

Boundary Study and New Catchment Border Map 

Over the course of the 2021-22 school year, BHS administrators, teachers, parents, and community members reviewed and approved attendance boundary changes that will be implemented in Fall 2023. The goal of new catchment boundaries is to establish four equitably sized kindergarten through grade 5 elementary schools and two equitably sized grade 6 through 8 middle schools. The intention is to balance enrollment to approximately 550 students at each elementary school, and approximately 600 to 650 students in each middle school. To view both the current map as well as the map that will go into effect in the 2023-24 school year, click here. To view specific maps of changing neighborhoods, click here. 

A team of approximately 25 teachers, administrators, and staff from all grade levels are working together in a collaborative pilot furniture process to order samples for all elementary and middle schools.

 

Catchment

In 2020, the district committed to adjusting the catchment boundaries for each school, to ensure that each of the four elementary schools, feeding into the two middle schools, are equitably sized. The new district map with Fall 2023 catchment borders is available on the BHS website. Illustrations of neighborhoods impacted by the catchment changes can be found on our catchment webpage www.bloomfield.org/bond.

 

School Names and Mascots

Bloomfield Hills Schools surveyed the community and gathered feedback on middle and elementary school names and mascots. The two grade 6-8 middle schools will be called North Hills Middle School (site of former Lahser High School) and South Hills Middle School (site of current Bloomfield Hills Middle School). Both North Hills and South Hills will have the Black Hawk mascot, matching our high school’s purple, black, and silver Black Hawk mascot.

 

The four elementary schools will all maintain their same school names, including Eastover (which is moving to the current East Hills Middle School location) and Lone Pine (which is moving to the current West Hills Middle School location).

 

Elementary school playgrounds and traffic flow

BHS conducted a traffic study at Way to ensure we have expert recommendations on traffic flow and

parking lots. BHS conducted a playground study at all elementary schools and evaluated all equipment to determine what could stay/be moved and what needed to be retired. Based on this study, the district will begin working with elementary administrators to plan playgrounds for the 2023-24 school year. Playgrounds will focus on inclusive design concepts.

 

Equitable and Exciting Middle School Structures and Designs

While the North Hills Middle School campus is being constructed at the former Lahser site, the South Hills Middle School campus is receiving renovations and additions at the current Bloomfield Hills Middle School site. Both of these campuses will have the following: media centers, technology labs, cafetoriums (combined cafeteria/auditorium), and classroom sizes. South Hills will receive a new turf football field, while North Hills has an existing turf football field. South Hills is also receiving brand new spaces for their music and art departments.

 

Summer Projects

Construction has started at Conant and Way elementary schools, and continues on North Hills and South Hills middle schools.

Bloomfield Hills Schools is excited to be on time and under budget with the work related to the bond passed in August 2020 (Bond 2020) by the community. Here are some of the newest updates!

Pilot Furniture

• A team of approximately 25 teachers, administrators, and staff from all grade levels are working together in a collaborative pilot furniture process to order samples for all elementary and middle schools. 
• This pilot furniture will be in place in Fall 2022 in schools across our district. Based upon teacher and student feedback about the pilot pieces, the permanent furniture will be ordered for North and South Hills middle schools to kick off the 2023-24 school year. Furniture for other schools is planned to be in place for 2024-25 school year. 

Catchment 

• The new district map with Fall 2023 catchment borders is being finalized and will be available to the community on the BHS website in April 2022. Illustrations of neighborhoods impacted by the catchment changes can be found on our catchment webpage.
• All families who are directly impacted by the catchment changes will be notified about the option to participate in the Legacy Transfer or the Request to Transfer Early programs. Families choosing either option will need to make plans to provide their own transportation.
  • Legacy Transfer: Families do not need to take action until the 2022-23 school year. More information will be available next school year.
  • Requests to Transfer Early: A window will be open in May 2022, where impacted families can Request to Transfer Early. Impacted families will be notified directly by the district. Due to the phasing of construction and current student populations, space may be limited in some schools. 
• Community catchment meetings will take place at each elementary school in April and May 2022. Principals have distributed information about these meetings to their families, and you may RSVP on our catchment webpage.

School Names and Mascots

• Bloomfield Hills Schools surveyed the community and gathered feedback on middle and elementary school names and mascots. 
• The two 6th - 8th grade middle schools will be called North Hills Middle School (site of former Lahser High School) and South Hills Middle School (site of current Bloomfield Hills Middle School). Both North Hills and South Hills will have the Black Hawk mascot, matching our high school’s purple, black, and silver Black Hawk mascot. Go Black Hawks!
• The four elementary schools will all maintain their same school names, including Eastover (which is moving to the current East Hills Middle School location) and Lone Pine (which is moving to the current West Hills Middle School location).

Elementary school playgrounds and traffic flow

• BHS is conducting a traffic study at Way to ensure we have expert recommendations on traffic flow and parking lots. BHS is also beginning discussions related to having a traffic study at Conant.
• BHS is conducting a playground study at all elementary schools and is currently evaluating all equipment to determine what can stay/be moved and what must be retired. 
• Based on this study, the district will begin working with elementary administrators to plan playgrounds for the 2023-24 school year.
• Playgrounds will focus on inclusive design concepts. 

Equitable and Exciting Middle School Structures and Designs

• While the North Hills Middle School campus is being constructed at the former Lahser site, the South Hills Middle School campus is receiving renovations and additions at the current Bloomfield Hills Middle School site. 
• Both of these campuses will, in fall 2023, have the following: comparable - and nearly identical - media centers, technology labs, cafetoriums (combined cafeteria/auditorium), and classroom sizes. 
• South Hills will receive a new turfed football field, while North Hills has an existing turfed football field. 
• South Hills is also receiving brand new spaces for their music and art departments.

Conant, Way, and BHMS Construction Updates

• The Board of Education recently approved bids for the additions of new classrooms, cafeteria, and gymnasium spaces at both Conant and Way elementary schools. 
• Way Elementary is receiving renovations and construction over the summer to make a new sallyport and front entrance. 
• At BHMS, the renovations to the back of the building in the current 5th/6th grade wing will be completed ahead of schedule. 

Elementary Schools Interior Updates 

• Over the summer and fall of 2022, the contracted architects from French Associates will meet with elementary school principals regarding the details of the proposed interior renovations. 

Catchment Update

The goal of new catchment boundaries is to establish four equitably sized kindergarten through grade 5 elementary schools and two equitably sized grade 6 through 8 middle schools. Within each of these schools, having equitable populations will allow students to have more robust curricular options, preserve our teacher team model, and allow staff to not have to travel between schools. 

The new system has a symmetrical structure, such that four elementary schools feed into two middle schools, which then feed into one Bloomfield Hills High School. Eastover and Way Elementary Schools will feed into North Hills Middle School. Conant and Lone Pine Elementary Schools will feed into the current BHMS site, the South Hills Middle School campus. 

The Bloomfield Hills School community was recently provided with a digital survey in which they could share feedback on the two new middle school names, mascots, and school colors. Based on community feedback,  North Hills Middle School and South Hills Middle School will be the names for the two new campuses. The mascots and school colors will be communicated to families in the Spring 2022.

Based on population data, the new catchment map shows that students will be shifted from east to west. The goal is to balance enrollment to approximately 550 students at each elementary school. In the two new middle schools, the goal is to create two schools with 600 to 650 students total. Catchment Map Photo Folder

Legacy Guidelines and Transition Planning

Residents living within the impacted neighborhoods, with children in grades 1-5 starting in the fall of 2023, will be allowed to stay in their current school. This option is also available for a younger sibling of a student who has selected the Legacy Transfer Option and will be attending elementary school for at least one year at the same time as their sibling. For example, a kindergarten student in the fall of 2023 who has an older sibling that will be in 2nd grade would be eligible for this option. A Legacy Transfer Request ends after 5th grade, and students will attend their assigned neighborhood middle school in grades 6 - 8. Families choosing a Request a Legacy Transfer will need to make plans to provide their own transportation.

Another new option for families is the Request to Transfer Early. In the fall of 2022, this option is available for residents living within the impacted neighborhoods that would like to transfer early to their newly assigned elementary school. Space might be limited, and requests will be taken in the order in which they are received. The district will provide more information about this district-wide in the Spring.

Another important element of the new boundaries is cohorting students. Families will have the opportunity to make student placement requests with familiar faces and neighborhood friends. While not all requests can be granted, this family input will be given strong consideration for those families joining a new school community. 

Designing Welcome Plans for New Families

School administration teams and PTOs will help support the transitions that will come with the new Catchment Boundaries. They will design welcome plans and develop transition activities in an intentional way to ensure that families are supported and welcomed. 

Furniture and Technology: Piloted furniture has arrived at many of our schools this fall. Students will have opportunities to share feedback on these new learning spaces, which will inform decisions about furniture and technology for our re-configured schools in the fall of 2023. Bloomfield Hills Middle School, East Hills Middle School, West Hills Middle School, Conant Elementary, Way Elementary, and Booth Center have received pilot furniture for either Gateway spaces or classrooms. Gateway spaces are designed to facilitate collaboration between students, so the new furniture is an opportunity for our students and staff to test what furniture designs work best for these areas. All of the pilot furniture will be repurposed and used when the schools reconfigure in Fall 2023. 

Series 2 work

The second major portion of the bond work, called Series 2, will be designed in 2023 and constructed from 2024 to 2026. With the completion of Series 2 work in 2026, all of the Bond work will be done! Series 2 work includes pool construction at the “North Hills” middle school site, and renovations at Bloomfield Hills High School, International Academy, Wing Lake School, the E.L. Johnson Nature Center, Bowers School Farm, Bloomin’ Preschools, the Transportation department and Bus Depot, Booth Center, and Fox Hills. Within 6.5 years, BHS will accomplish major renovations and additions to most of its buildings, assuring that we have the spaces and facilities to accompany our world-class education.

The groundbreaking ceremonies at the two middle schools, occurring in May at the “North Hills” site and in July at the “South Hills” site, were a great success thanks to the community members, students, school officials, and elected officials in attendance. In August 2020, our community voted to pass a $200 million bond, and the work to improve and expand Bloomfield Hills Schools is well underway! Series 1 work will focus on the design and construction at the two middle school sites as well as additions at Conant and Way Elementary Schools. Totaling $94,045,000, Series 1 work takes place from now until 2023. From 2023 until 2026, Series 2 work, involving $106,110,000 total, will focus on the renovations of elementary schools currently located at East Hills and West Hills Middle School campuses. Series 2 also includes pool construction at the “North Hills” middle school site, and renovations at Bloomfield Hills High School, International Academy, Wing Lake School, the E.L. Johnson Nature Center, Bowers School Farm, Bloomin’ Preschools, the Transportation department and Bus Depot, Booth Center, and Fox Hills. In total, the design and construction of all the bond projects will take 6 ½ years to complete. For all of the design work, at every school building, school administrators work closely with the architects, so that instruction of our students drives the construction design process.

Middle Schools Construction: Construction at the “North Hills” site has no impact on students since the site is currently empty. Construction at the current Bloomfield Hills Middle School building began this summer, and will have limited impact on the students when they return to school in September. Principal Randy English will be sending regular updates in emails to families, to keep them apprised of where construction is taking place in the school. Thank you for your patience as we improve the learning environment! Click here to view renderings of our new middle schools. As you can see from these images, the changes coming to our middle schools will be amazing! “North Hills” and “South Hills” are temporary names for these two campuses, and the official school names will be determined leading up to the 2023 school openings. 

Catchment Update: The work of the community catchment forum is underway, and administrative teams have met regularly to collectively review and develop multiple options for a revised catchment map. This revised catchment map will align with Bloomfield Hills Schools’ guiding principles for learning. Every family that currently resides within Bloomfield Hills Schools boundaries will remain in our schools; only catchment areas may change. The goal of the revised catchment map is to create four equitably sized elementary schools, with approximately 550 students in each K-5 building. 

Elementary Schools: In fall of 2023, there will be four elementary schools, and each building will serve Kindergarten through grades 5. Way and Conant Elementary Schools will receive major renovations and additions, and will remain in their current locations. Students currently attending Lone Pine Elementary School will be moving to where West Hills Middle School currently stands, and students currently attending Eastover Elementary School will be moving to the current East Hills Middle School location. The East Hills and West Hills buildings will each receive major renovations. There will be a phased approach to the construction in an effort to limit disruption to learning during the school year. By 2023, all classrooms will be renovated, but some spaces, like multi-purpose rooms, may still be under construction in the 2023-24 school year. 

Furniture and Technology: Piloted furniture has been ordered and will be introduced into our elementary and middle schools sometime this fall. Students will have opportunities to share feedback on these new learning spaces, which will inform decisions about furniture and technology for our re-configured schools in the fall of 2023. More updates to come!

In 2020, the district committed to adjusting the catchment boundaries for each school, to ensure that each of the four elementary schools, feeding into the two middle schools, are equitably sized. 

Here is some information about the process: 

• Some of our schools have a significantly larger number of students based on growth in those neighborhoods compared to others. Looking at catchment boundaries will create equity of programming and enrollment across all four elementary schools and the two middle schools. This important work would have happened regardless of the bond passing.

• Every family that currently resides within Bloomfield Hills Schools boundaries will remain in our schools; only catchment areas will change. 

• Todd Bidlack, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Rob Durecka, Educational Consultant, and Paul Wills of Plante Moran Cresa, presented information relative to demographics, current enrollment, and educational challenges and opportunities to each of the representative PTO groups and administration teams. 

• Community members signed up to participate in a community stakeholder group by completing a form on the BHS website in 2020. Approximately 40 people signed up to participate in this group and they met in May 2021 to provide input on potential plans for catchment boundaries. Some of the key takeaways included keeping neighborhoods together, family legacy, inter-district transfers, and ensuring transportation efficiency.  There are no additional meetings scheduled with community members at this time.

• The district administration, along with the bond partners of French Associates, Barton Malow Builders, and Plante Moran Cresa, will draw the catchment boundaries and present their findings and preliminary recommendations for new catchment boundaries to the Board of Education throughout the summer and early fall 2021.

• Family legacy and inter-district transfers are also being discussed as part of this process. This will be included in the overall district recommendation that the Board of Education will vote on in Fall 2021. 

• The implementation of new catchment areas will take place in Fall 2023, when students inhabit their new school spaces. Individual school presentations will be provided for those families/students who may be impacted by the revised catchment boundaries, once voted on in the Fall 2021.

Please know that no decisions will be made until Fall 2021. We understand that each family will have their own unique feelings about this process. School districts evolve as the population changes and evaluating boundary lines is a natural cycle that districts have to undergo. The district is here to support our families and students through this process. 

If you want to provide feedback, please fill out the Catchment Feedback Form.

Bond Update May 2021

Planning and construction surrounding the exciting bond work in Bloomfield Hills Schools is well underway! The strategic partners are French Associates, the architecture/engineering firm; Barton Malow, the construction manager; and Plante Moran Cresa, the owner’s representative. These entities have been working diligently with Bloomfield Hills Schools since the bond passed in August 2020. The guiding principles of the design around our new and renovated school buildings is to create a sense of belonging, team teaching, integration of support services, and access to common spaces. Instruction drives the construction of these new exciting spaces! A major milestone is the commencement of construction: the Groundbreaking Ceremonies! “North Hills Middle School” groundbreaking will be held at the site of former Lahser High School on Wednesday, May 26 at 5 p.m., and the “South Hills Middle School” groundbreaking will be held on Thursday, July 29, at 5 p.m., at Bloomfield Hills Middle School. The events will include comments from Board President Paul Kolin and Superintendent Pat Watson.

An important aspect of the bond process will be evaluating the catchment area for each school, to ensure that each of the four elementary schools, feeding into the two middle schools, are equitably sized. Every family that currently resides within Bloomfield Hills Schools boundaries will remain in our schools; the internal boundaries of the school catchment areas may change.  A community Catchment Area Task Force had its first meeting on Monday, May 10 to begin the study of catchment areas, and to develop maps, models, and scenarios. This group of involved parents, community members, school administrators, and staff will present their findings and recommendations to the Board of Education by the fall of 2021. The goal of this task force is to create equity of programming and enrollment across all four elementary schools and the two middle schools. Catchment area decisions will be made in fall 2021, and the implementation of new catchment areas will take place in fall 2023, when students inhabit their new school spaces.

Presentations on the elementary schools’ current enrollments and enrollment projections have been shared with the Board of Education, and with all schools’ Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTO) meetings, by Educational Consultant Rob Durecka and Plante Moran Cresa (PMC) representative Paul Wills. Durecka is the former Principal of West Hills Middle School and Andover High School - where Bloomfield Hills High School is now located. As the Educational Consultant, Durecka will guide the bond work from the lens of educational programming. Wills is a Partner at PMC who leads the K-12 practice, and provides BHS with project parameters, budget and schedule guidance, and assistance with the selection of design and construction team members. Durecka and Wills are also invested members of our BHS community as current parents of Bloomfield Hills Schools students. Their collaboration has been and will continue to be key to the success of the bond’s implementation.

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Bond Update January 2021

With the passage of the $200 million bond in August 2020, Bloomfield Hills Schools administrators and staff are excited and hard at work planning for the future of our schools. Working hand in hand with French Associates, the architecture firm hired by Bloomfield Hills Schools, hundreds of district staff members have taken part in 29 planning sessions. The plans for the new and renovated structures are educator-driven, to ensure that teachers have a direct impact in designing student-centered schools.

Currently, two Bloomfield middle schools house grades 4 through 8, and one middle school houses grades 5 through 8. By fall of 2023, there will still be four elementary schools, and all will serve Kindergarten through grades 5, and the two middle schools, temporarily named “North Hills” and “South Hills,” will serve students in grades 6 through 8. The North campus will be located where Lahser High School once stood, and the South campus will stand at the current Bloomfield Hills Middle School.

Among some of the features planned for both North Hills and South Hills Middle Schools are re-designed parking lots and drives to facilitate bus and car movement; front vestibule areas to ensure safe and secure entry into the buildings; remodeled gymnasiums and new performing arts spaces; new STEAM spaces; expanded athletic facilities; the addition of many common spaces for collaborative learning; new and improved technology infrastructure; multiple outdoor classroom spaces at each middle school; and media centers serving as a central hub of the buildings.  Each grade will have at least eight class spaces, with some removable walls to allow for flexible classes.  These grade-wide Learning Communities mirror the Learning Communities that exist at Bloomfield Hills High School.

Also fundamental to the new architecture, special education will be prioritized in the designs of the two middle schools. Special education classrooms will be centrally located in the buildings, allowing students to gain easier access to all classrooms. Additionally, support services including counseling offices, social work, OT/PT and speech pathology will be embedded in special education and general education learning spaces in both buildings. We are also incorporating exercise rooms that will be utilized for age-appropriate sensory input.  Accessibility is integrated into all student spaces. 

With the planning well underway, construction has already begun at the North Hills Middle School campus. Site surveys are completed, underground pipes have been inspected, temporary fencing has been placed, asbestos abatement is underway, and selective demolition has begun.  

To learn more specific details, you can view the January 14 Board of Education meeting where the bond update was discussed at length, and presented by district administrators: Bond Update at BOE.

We will use existing schools to become a preschool, K-5, 6-8, 9-12 school district. This standardized reconfiguration will improve learning opportunities across BHS and reflects the priorities recommended in the Scope & Design study.

The following are the reconfigurations that will occur:

• Eastover will serve students in grades K-5 and will be located at the current East Hills Middle School site. Lone Pine will serve students in grades K-5 and will be located at the current West Hills Middle School site. Conant and Way will remain in their current locations and receive renovations and additions to improve their learning spaces.

• Bloomin’ Preschool locations will exist on both the current Eastover Elementary site and at Conant. Bloomin’ Conant will receive an addition and renovations and Eastover will receive renovations.

• There will be two middle schools - Bloomfield Hills Middle School North (at the current Lahser site) and Bloomfield Hills Middle School South (at the current Bloomfield Hills Middle School site). To equalize these facilities, the school district will add an auditorium and space for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming to Middle School South. At Middle School North, we will add a classroom wing and a swimming pool for student and community use.

We anticipate the community will be able to utilize the pool during the hours it is not used by our middle school swimmers and our community recreation programs. We hope to offer as many hours of “open swim” as possible.