International Academy Of Macomb

"I love the IAM. I think that it is a great school with amazing teachers and a welcoming community."

"TL;DR I’m a junior (technically a senior now) and I think the IAM is a great school because of the curriculum’s rigor and environment! Also, please, take other reviews with a grain of salt since strong emotions can stretch the truth! I should probably be doing my TOK homework, but regardless of my homework status, I have been looking through some of these reviews and I have to admit that some of these are in fact way too critical. I’m not going to be salty or anything like that, but I think it’s important to view the IAM through a balanced lens. I’m currently a junior and my experience at the IAM so far has been generally positive. Due to the small size of each grade, students are able to build strong relationships with one another as well as with faculty and staff. And yes, it’s true that many teachers come and go but mainly due to larger, better opportunities; however, the most significant aspect that one should understand is that even today, these teachers are not paid enough through their own districts to support their own families, like many other teachers throughout the nation: they are people and have their own needs, too. Even so, that does not undermine their teaching as they contour their interactive lessons to the IB MYP and DP curriculum. Stating that the teachers don't know what they are doing is meaningless if you don’t have the evidence. If that was the case, why are our IB exam scores so high and why, in the nation, are we one of the top schools? (Also colleges do recognize IB despite it being fairly new to the states!) The IAM does a great job with balancing the rigor for all of your classes; not only does the school focus on improving your math and science capabilities but also with your critical-thinking and analytical skills in classes including literature and history. In terms of communication, in my opinion, I feel pretty comfortable talking to my teachers if I need any help. Additionally, I have heard that going to a regular school, you may have more opportunities in extracurriculars, but the one problem is that the student body is small and there are only so many courses they can provide. However, I have a strong background in art and I have no problem with taking the art classes they have as well as balancing them with the science classes I love. If you want more access to other courses, you always have the option to go to another school. (Btw we literally have one type of literature class for each grade since IB requires it.) In all honesty, if you’re interested in bashing the IAM due to some negative experiences that you had, I have no problem with you posting a review, but at least make reference to the counter and don’t exaggerate rumors until you understand the real facts behind things that happen within this school. Essentially, despite the great work load and sleep deprivation (that mainly comes from one’s own poor self-management), if you want to go here and have the drive to do so and take risks, I promise you that the IAM will prepare you for your future and allow you to make lifelong friendships with others. Now, I think that is the true IAM experience."

"The fact that the remaining teachers are flooding out of the school like a Louisiana hurricane says something about the state of the IAM. The faculty don't know what they're doing or how to manage a school properly, the teachers that DIDN'T jump ship are in disarray (I hear reports that the science teachers will be teaching math? Really?), the rules are harsh, and the curriculum is extremely unhelpful. Like, there are no business or computer or medical or even woodshop classes, but they have multiple levels of literature? This is not even counting the lack of meaningful extracurriculars or the foul attitudes of some of the teachers. An IB education is great - if your college actually ACCEPTS IB credits - but please, do yourself a favor and go elsewhere."

"Eric Sturm is unfit to be principal. He only cares about being the best, not about the students or teachers. 15 teachers have quit in the past 4 years. If it is really a good school, why do they have a higher turnover rate than a McDonald's? Sure, it's a decent education, but that's because the IBO is a knowledgeable organization, not anything specific to this school. Go somewhere that appreciates your intelligence and worth, like IA Bloomfield or IA Troy, where students actually get represented for extracurricular interests and activities and not shuned from any positive recognition like at the IAM."

"By the far one of the best school. Both staff and students are good and hardworking people. Proud to go to the IA"