Branch Line School

BRANCH LINE SCHOOLC U L T I V A T E L E A R N I N G

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T

Branch Line School will guide students in an

individualized, small school atmosphere that cultivates

intellectual freedom, respect for others, and service to

the community in order to produce critical thinkers and

informed global citizens.

W H AT I S A C H A R T E R S C H O O L ?

Not all charter schools are the same. Although all

charter schools are free public schools governed by a

local board of directors, some charter school boards

outsource school development and operations to

third-party educational management corporations.

Branch Line School is unique in the area by

offering an innovative and independently designed

and managed educational approach.

Charter schools operate on lower state funding

than most traditional public schools, but have

more freedom to determine curricula and teaching

philosophies. Charter schools accept applications

from all Michigan students who are eligible to

attend traditional public schools. If the number

of applicants during open enrollment exceeds the

number of available spaces, a lottery is held.

Branch Line School was founded with the intent to

operate a school that children wake up in the morning

excited to attend; to dispel the notion that school must

always be boring, tedious or frustrating; and to create

a fresh paradigm in which students feel free to explore

and discover, and in which they develop a true and

lifelong joy of learning.

AT A G L A N C E

» Free public charter program serving

kindergarten through 8th grade

» Tuition-based preschool and young 5s/half-day

kindergarten program

» Small class sizes

» Year-round program

» Multi-age classes in cohorts serving students

in K-2, 3-5 and 6-8

» Community-based program with integrated

service learning

» Total preschool-grade 8 enrollment of

approximately 200 students

» Project-based, experiential learning curriculum

» Extended-day program

» Daily Spanish instruction

» On site enrichment classes

» Technology enhanced learning

Our focus on social

awareness and family

involvement fosters

a community of

thoughtful learners.

Branch Line School is a new public charter school

opening in Summer 2013. We are introducing an

entirely new learning community to Livonia and

nearby communities—one that inspires children to

become lifelong learners in a nurturing, intimate

environment. Dedicated teachers engage children

in challenging, project-based learning experiences

supported by innovative technology.

Small multi-age classes ensure that each student

receives personal attention and progresses at a

developmentally appropriate pace. Our focus on

social awareness and family involvement fosters

a community of thoughtful learners. The result

is a confident and ethical young person ready to

succeed in high school and beyond.

W H AT M A K E S U S D I F F E R E N T ?

P R O J E C T- B A S E D L E A R N I N G

T E C H N O LO GY AT B L S

M U LT I -AG E E D U C AT I O N

CO N T I N U O U S L E A R N I N G C A L E N DA R

A S S E S S M E N T

FA M I LY I N VO LV E M E N T

S E RV I C E L E A R N I N G

Small school

atmosphere that

cultivates intellectual

freedom, respect for

others, and service

to the community

P R O J E C T- B A S E D L E A R N I N G

Project-based learning

builds on children’s

natural curiosity

and desire to explore

and discover.

Project-based learning builds on children’s natural

curiosity and desire to explore and discover. This

cross-disciplinary, experiential learning approach is

student-led and guided by specially trained teachers

who help integrate academic concepts and content

into real-world applications.

Mission Statement

Branch Line School will guide students in

an individualized, small school atmosphere

that cultivates intellectual freedom,

respect for others, and service to the

community in order to produce critical

thinkers and informed global citizens.

What is a charter school?

Not all charter schools are the same.

Although all charter schools are free

public schools governed by a local board

BLS’s daily technology

integration is

cross-curricular

and purposeful.

T E C H N O LO GY AT B L S



charter schools are free public schools governed

by a local board of directors, some charter

school boards outsource school development

and operations to third-party educational

management corporations. Branch Line School

is unique in the Plymouth area by offering an

innovative and independently designed and

managed educational approach.



more freedom to determine curricula and

teaching philosophies. Charter schools accept

applications from all Michigan students who are

eligible to attend traditional public schools. If the

Branch Line School supplies the tools that are

necessary for our children to become knowledgeable

digital citizens. BLS’s daily technology integration is

cross-curricular and purposeful, supporting critical

thinking, sound judgement, information fluency

and creativity.

Mission Statement











Multiage education

supports continuous

learning in which

each pacing is

individualized to a

student’s needs

M U LT I -AG E E D U C AT I O N

















Three cohorts, representing developmental grades

K–2, 3–5 and 6–8, soften grade-level distinctions

and reduce transitions in a child’s education,

allowing closer and more in-depth relationships

with peers and teachers. Multiage education

supports continuous learning in which each pacing

is individualized to a student’s needs, interests and

abilities. Students grow into leadership roles in a

safe, consistent and collaborative environment.

Mission Statement











The balanced calendar

is implemented to

reduce summer

learning loss, create a

feeling of continuity in

the school community

CO N T I N U O U S L E A R N I N G C A L E N DA R

















Branch Line School’s balanced calendar offers

a 6-week summer break and provides time

off on a more cadenced schedule than the

traditional school year. The calendar shares

Plymouth, Livonia and other local school district breaks,

but features a shorter summer break and more

frequent weeks off scheduled throughout the

year to give students and staff well-deserved

respite. During these breaks, students may attend

tuition-based “intersessions,” which are optional

fee-based camps that offer relaxation, recreation

and rejuvenation. The balanced calendar is

implemented to reduce summer learning loss,

create a feeling of continuity in the school

community, and provide a rhythm that gives

students regular, dedicated time for rest and play

all year long.

Mission Statement











Our assessment

program requires

students to develop ideas,

integrate knowledge and

complete tasks that have

real-world applications.

A S S E S S M E N T

















Branch Line School is formed with the

purpose of allowing students to learn in more

meaningful ways than can be demonstrated

by traditional grades and test scores. Our

assessment program requires students

to develop ideas, integrate knowledge and

complete tasks that have real-world

applications. Student progress is recorded

in comprehensive content-area rubrics

according to the child’s individual pace

and not in comparison to other students.

Assessment is ongoing and allows teachers to

continually identify and respond to strengths

and weaknesses. Digital and paper portfolios,

student-led conferences, teacher observation

and student self-assessments are integral

components of tracking student progress.

Branch Line School will also administer the

MEAP in accordance with state law, and an

additional standardized test as a data point in

measuring school-wide performance.

Mission Statement











FA M I LY I N VO LV E M E N T

Personal relationships

among parents, staff,

teachers and students

are crucial to sustaining

a trusting learning

community.

















Branch Line School welcomes the whole

family into the learning community. Parents

ultimately have the most important role in

children’s educational success, and Branch Line

School removes the barriers to meaningful

involvement and participation that are

prevalent at more traditional schools. Personal

relationships among parents, staff, teachers

and students are crucial to sustaining a

trusting learning community. In addition to

our open-door policy, our structured program

for volunteer parent aides and instructors is a

vital resource for cost-savings, freeing limited

financial resources for use in other areas.

Mission Statement











Our assessment

program requires

students to develop ideas,

integrate knowledge and

complete tasks that have

real-world applications.

S E RV I C E L E A R N I N G

















Branch Line School believes that children can

make a difference in their communities. As

an integral component of the project-based

curriculum, students identify community

needs and work with teachers to plan and

execute projects to meet those needs. Projects

have defined learning objectives that allow

students to experience real-world application

of academic content and understand their

connection to the greater world. Service

learning fosters empathy among students

inside and outside of the classroom.

P U R P O S E F U L

J OY F U L

S U C E S S F U L

C H E E R F U L

P E AC E F U L

R E S O U R C E F U L

R E S P E C T F U L

T H E F U L L C H I L D

A fresh paradigm in

which students feel free

to explore and discover,

and in which they

develop a true and

lifelong joy of learning.

P U R P O S E F U L

Branch Line School students are actively engaged in

developing goals, creating projects and identifying

real-world applications for their learning.

C H E E R F U L

Branch Line School is filled with laughter,

excitement, collaboration and interaction.

P E AC E F U L

Branch Line School students make their world better

by actively participating in the greater community

with ongoing service-learning projects.

R E S O U R C E F U L

Branch Line School students are encouraged to be

independent and learn how to seek answers to

their questions.

S U CC E S S F U L

Branch Line School students are guided to their

highest potential in an environment that fosters

diligence and love of learning.

J OY F U L

Branch Line School students enjoy empowered,

playful learning in a warm, nurturing and

supportive community.

R E S P E C T F U L

Branch Line School students, staff, friends and

families treat each other with unconditional

dignity, kindness and empathy.

B R A N C H L I N E S C H O O L

16360 HUBBARD S T. | LIVONIA , M I 48154

734.335.0663 | I N F O @ B R A N C H L I N E S C H O O L .O R G

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Branch Line School