Thompson K‑8 outlines IB programming, merger plans and student engagement goals
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Summary
Thompson K‑8 principal and staff presented International Baccalaureate programming, extended‑learning offerings and plans to merge Vandenberg World Cultures into Thompson; trustees commended progress and asked for community engagement.
Thompson K‑8 Academy leaders told the Southfield Board of Education on Jan. 14, 2025 that the school is expanding International Baccalaureate programming and stakeholder engagement after combining with Vandenberg World Cultures Academy.
Why it matters: Thompson’s program and merger plans shape instructional continuity for students who will feed into Southfield’s high schools, affect staff training needs, and guide partnership and facilities priorities tied to the district bond work.
Principal Portia Eubanks and her administrative team described Thompson as an IB school offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for kindergarten–5 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6–8. The school reported supports for English Learners (two ESL teachers and paraprofessionals), five self‑contained ISSCN classrooms, therapy dog Tuesdays and 8 extended learning clubs including choir, art and mindfulness. Staff said they launched a PTSA in October and conducted a parent survey in December; the survey showed many families were “somewhat happy” with the school and leaders want to increase that to “extremely happy.”
On academics, assistant principal Diana Ector described a school‑wide initiative called “30 Days of Practice,” which highlights specific instructional strategies monthly (vocabulary in November, identifying questions in December, charts/diagrams in January). IB coordinator Darcy Romeo summarized recent student showcases: a published book from a PYP exhibition and an MYP community service project; she invited trustees to Thompson’s MYP showcase on March 6.
Marklyn Parks, the academic engagement and SEL officer, said Thompson integrates SEL, PBIS and a Ron Clark Academy House System to boost culture and student engagement. He highlighted morning greeting routines, mindfulness programming (Inner Explorer), Navigate 360 SEL lessons and family‑facing parent coaching sessions.
Trustees praised the staff for handling the merger and asked how the board and district could support the school. Eubanks asked trustees to “show up” at school events and mentioned specific upcoming dates: a spelling bee (Jan. 30), a “Tiger’s luncheon” (Jan. 23) and a 5th‑grade exhibition. Trustees recommended shadowing, field trips or band participation to help feed 8th‑grade students into district high‑school programs.
What’s next: Thompson seeks to transition to an IB Community School, expand partnerships, upgrade staff training for merged personnel, and strengthen feeder relationships with Southfield A&T and University K12. The principal said district facilities upgrades (bathroom renovations, interior door replacements) are underway through the bond program and she requested continued board support for community presence at school events.