By all measures, Bennett Woods is an excellent school. Our students have many opportunities to learn and experience success in a caring environment with high expectations, and we are proud of our consistently high academic performance.
Through this informational Website, we invite you to learn more about our school, our staff, and our students. Please feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Physical Facilities and Setting:
In addition to being among the top-performing elementary schools in Michigan, Bennett Woods has been recognized nationally for its outstanding physical facilities! According to American School & University's
" Architectural Portfolio" (1994), "this school is an innovative approach to the design of lower elementary buildings." With stunning views to the outside from almost every area, Bennett Woods is situated on 45 acres of trees, ponds, and marshy areas. The 54,601 square foot school opened for students in the fall of 1993. Bennett Woods currently houses 300 Begindergarten (Young Fives) through fifth grade students. Academic "pods" help young students by providing a "family" feel, while retaining an overall sense of community and school spirit. Highlights of the school include a beautiful art room which overlooks a perennial garden and courtyard, a full-size gymnasium, innovative kindergarten classrooms with a separate playground, a recently updated computer lab, media center with vaulted ceilings, two soccer fields, a paved play area, a student picnic area, and natural areas including wetlands and woods. Bennett Woods is air-conditioned which provides a comfortable environment conducive to teaching and learning.
Professional Teachers, Specialists, and Support Staff:
Bennett Woods' outstanding academic reputation and high student achievement is due in large part to the dedication of its skilled professional staff who have high academic expectations amidst a caring school climate. Classroom teachers and specialists are committed to working in partnership with families for the benefit of students. Support staff work closely with teachers to ensure that the goals of the school are met and the needs of individual students are addressed. The school's active school improvement team meets regularly and is highly involved in establishing school goals. The staff works together as a professional learning community to assess student learning and identify areas for improvement.
Parental and Community Involvement:
Bennett Woods has actively involved parents and community members! Parents regularly provide support to the school as volunteers in the classroom, library, enrichment activities, and special events. They also serve as chaperones, special event planners, Junior Achievement instructors, and "Meet the Masters" Art Patron volunteers. The school's well-organized Family Council provides resources that are unable to be funded through regular school funding, including field trips, classroom supplies, support for clubs, funding for the Third Grade Big Zoo Lesson, technology, and more. Nearly 100 percent of parents attend Parent-Teacher Conferences, and parents are actively involved in fund-raising to support the school's goals. A partnership with the Haslett-Okemos Masonic Lodge also brings retired community members into the school to help students and staff.
Partnerships with Michigan State University (MSU):
Bennett Woods benefits from its proximity to Michigan State University. The school serves as a "Concentrated Placement Site" for MSU's Teacher Intern program which has been nationally recognized as one of the most outstanding teacher preparation programs in the country. A number of fifth year teacher interns work full time throughout most of the school year under the mentorship of classroom teachers. Proximity to MSU also brings a wealth of diversity to the student population as families come from all over the world. The "international feel" (customs, languages, foods, and experiences) of the school enriches the learning environment for everyone--students, families, and staff!
