•    Enrollment of approximately 396 students grades Kindergarten – 5.

•    We have an ethnically and racially diverse student population:
       61% Caucasian            6% African-American              10% Asian    
      13% Multi Ethnic          .5% American Indian               1% Middle East
      8% Latino Hispanic       .5% Other    
    
•    We are the ESL (English as a Second Language) Magnet School for the west side of Ann Arbor.  International students from Abbot, Eberwhite, Haisley, Lakewood and Wines can chose to attend Bach to receive ESL services.  Some of our students currently have German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian, French, Lithuanian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, Urdu and Kannada as their first language.  We have an English as a Second Language Teacher as well as Chinese, Japanese and Spanish Bilingual tutors.  Other support personnel are available as needed.

•    We are very proud of our 4th consecutive year as a Michigan Green School, as     designated by the Michigan State Legislature. This status was originally granted     in acknowledgment of the efforts our students and staff made in recycling, composting, establishing a wildlife habitat and replanting of 15 trees lost to the  Emerald Ash Borer.  During 2nd year as a Green School, our scope expanded to     include education about the advantages of eating locally produced foods, and     learning about organic farming and cooking. Last year, we focused on     minimization of waste - both in terms of natural resources and energy production, as goals to improve our environmental stewardship. We moved up to Emerald status last year.  We are striving for Evergreen status this year.

•    Our geographical boundaries include Stadium Blvd., Main St., State St., Summit St. and Seventh St. The Bach School neighborhood is generally an urban area including much of the Old Westside, the downtown area and the neighborhood north of Miller Ave.  

•    Teaching of Balanced Literacy takes place at all grade levels.  Literature and guided reading groups are taught by classroom teachers, the Resource Teacher and in ESL.  This allows smaller groups than a traditional classroom size.  Groups change regularly based on ongoing assessment of students.

•    All staff members participate in ongoing equity training.  We focus on ways to effectively teach all students.

•     Knowledge Master Open, an academic competition for 4th and 5th graders, occurs twice per year.  In 2010 our team placed 1st in Michigan in both the January and March competitions.  Our 2011 team recently placed 3rd in Michigan in the January competition.

•    We were a pilot school for the Handwriting Without Tears program for the  Ann Arbor Public Schools.  We also piloted the voice enhancement systems and data projectors that are now used throughout the district.

•    The Trailblazers mentor program continues with 1st and 5th graders.  Pioneer students come to school daily to assist their student with schoolwork.  The program was established at Lawton School and has been recognized as an outstanding program by the Michigan Education Association.  Trailblazers are in their 13th year here at Bach.

•    Cross grade level Buddies pair students for weekly activities centered on literacy, math, science and the environment.

•    All 5th graders attend YMCA Storer Camps for four days in the spring.  This outdoor education experience is completely funded through student fundraising and parent donations.

•    Service Squad includes 25 - 4th graders who learn leadership skills through daily activities such as Library Helper, Kindergarten Helper, and Teacher’s Helper.

•    An all-school slide show is presented twice during the year.  The February show features every Bach student.   The presentation in June is a culminating activity for 5th graders featuring their pictures since Kindergarten.  This is a highlight of promotion every year.

•    We are lucky enough to have two Partners in Excellence, NSF International and Nicola’s Books.  NSF volunteers work in the media center, classrooms and the computer lab.  Nicola’s Books assists us with reading materials as well as providing visiting authors and illustrators.

•    A Mac Computer lab is located on the second floor.  Every student has computer lab instruction weekly.  Teachers all have laptops.  We also have a traveling set of laptops for classroom use.

•    5th grade Safety Patrol members help students cross busy streets safely.

•    Walking fieldtrips to downtown locations occur regularly.  Trips to the Ann Arbor Library, Farmers Market, Hands on Museum, etc, occur according to grade level.

•    Special school events include:  Bach Heritage Festival or Brrr Fest (alternate years), Parent Involvement Day, Movie Nights, Science Night, March is Reading Month, All School Slide Show, Ice Cream Social, Field Day, grade level plays/musicals, twice yearly Scholastic book fairs, Walk-A-Thon, All School Talent Show and YMCA Camp Storer (5th grade).