West Bloomfield High School is a public secondary school in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The school is the only public high school in the West Bloomfield School District. The School Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is about 1900. West Bloomfield High School was previously located in the Abbott Middle School building, which opened on January 31, 1955 with an enrollment of 406. From fall 1968 through spring 1971, the school was temporarily located at the site of the current Orchard Lake Middle School. The current building was built in 1971. West Bloomfield High School has begun to offer the Advanced Placement International Diploma to the classes of 2011 and beyond. In addition, it established additional Advanced Placement courses starting the 2010-2011 school year.The school has been recognized by Newsweek magazine as being in the top 6% of U.S. public high schools.BuildingIn 1986, the district responded to growing enrollment by building a new high school. The large, single-story building was designed in a U-shape around a courtyard that faced Orchard Lake Road. In 1997, the courtyard was enclosed by a 2-story addition that gave the school its curved front facade. In 2000, the media center was completely rebuilt with an emphasis on technology. Small additions have been built throughout the 2000s.Between 1955 and 1966, WBHS was housed in the building that is now Abbott Middle School. Between fall 1967 and spring 1971, WBHS occupied the building that now houses Orchard Lake Middle School.Instructional Project Design programThe school is known for its Instructional Project Design course, based on the philosophy that students must be allowed a say in designing tools that they will use. The tools in question are internet forums and services created for a variety of educational and civic clients. The program is run by the University of Michigan's Flint, MI campus.
