Dexter Celebrates Mill Creek's 'School to Watch' Designation

The faculty and staff at heaped praise on its students Friday with news of the school’s redesignation as a Michigan School to Watch, an honor it first won in 2007.

Mill Creek is one out of only 100 middle schools across the country to receive the designation as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.

“This is quite a big honor for us,” Principal Jami Bronson said. “Education has been taking a beating in the press, and if these politicians and reporters were here in Dexter, they would only have awesome things to say about Mill Creek.”

Dr. Nic Cooper, a Schools To Watch board member, said Mill Creek was chosen for redesignation for another three years after meeting several criteria, including academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents and commitment to helping students achieve at high levels. Schools that met the criteria were then visited by state teams who observed classrooms; interviewed administrators, teachers, students and parents; and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons and student work.

“When you become a school to watch, that means you are on a path toward excellence," Cooper said Friday during a presentation at the school. "What makes an excellent school is when you have teachers like the staff at Mill Creek who embrace excellence and keep growing.

“You have something really special in Dexter," he said. "When I walk in this school, I feel great.”

Seventh-grade student Lexi Heath said she is proud of her school and enjoys the freedom and respect teachers give to students.

“Teachers have put a lot of trust in the students," Heath said. "For example, sometimes we get to choose a comfortable working place outside of the classroom.

“It’s nice to have the trust of the teachers and principal because it makes us feel more independent,” she said.

Student Blake Leonard said he enjoys the school’s numerous electives, including archaeology, ceramics and orchestra.

“Some classes allow us to be active in the middle of the day, which is a fantastic way to cap off a day at Mill Creek,” Leonard said.

Presenting a signed proclamation from Gov. Rick Snyder, state Rep. Mark Ouimet, (R-Scio Township) told students that Mill Creek is a “shining example” for all schools in Michigan.

“There are times that you will always have the opportunity to turn around and help others—to lift them up to the heights that you are at, and you do that at your school,” Ouimet said.