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Fremont International Academy principal highlights IB curriculum, student growth and attendance incentives
Summary
Principal Lena Oliver told the board Fremont uses the IB framework to emphasize deep understanding and reported that every student showed growth in behavior or academics; she also noted a high rate of fifth‑grade Spanish proficiency credits and described attendance incentives.
Principal Lena Oliver told the Battle Creek Public Schools board that Fremont International Academy bases instruction on the International Baccalaureate framework to promote deeper understanding and transferable skills. "IB focuses on academics but also personal development," Oliver said, adding that students are expected to explain their thinking and revise work.
Oliver said staff-reported surveys and classroom evidence show improvement in climate and collaboration among teachers; she added that "100% of students are showing growth in either behavior or academics." She described classroom practices that prioritize adults at building entry points, cross-grade collaborations and multicultural learning experiences such as Dia de los Muertos presentations.
Oliver also highlighted a program change: fifth graders can take a state Spanish proficiency exam to earn a high school Spanish credit; "over half of our students earned a high school 1 Spanish credit" last year, she said. On attendance, Oliver described an "attendance sweet treat cart" incentive and said the family advocate contacts absent students by 10 a.m. each day to check in and problem-solve barriers to attendance.
Board members asked about standards for family communication and how often teachers are expected to reach out. Oliver said teachers were asked to send a monthly academic data piece home and that many teachers already use weekly or biweekly newsletters.
