For Macomb County area families, the International Academy of Macomb (IAM) offers something unique: a high-achieving International Baccalaureate program paired with a deeply supportive, close-knit school culture.
Located in Clinton Township, the IAM serves students who attend the school through affiliation with one of the 19 participating districts in Macomb County. The IAM is consistently ranked among Michigan’s top-performing high schools. The IAM is a unique collaboration between the Macomb Intermediate School District and the 19 participating districts to provide a unique and rigorous learning experience to students.
Parent Maria Wilson says her children found not only academic rigor but also a community where peers “lift each other up” and teachers encourage students to explore interests far beyond the classroom.
We asked Wilson what families can expect from the IAM experience.
What is the school environment like at the International Academy of Macomb?
Wilson says the biggest surprise (and relief) was how deeply her kids felt supported by staff and students.
Her oldest child came from a small private school where he felt like he didn’t fit in and was teased for being smart. At IAM, she says, “he finally felt like he was around his peers, people like him, who value being smart.”
That sense of belonging carried over for her other two children, as well.
“Everybody is there with the same purpose: to work hard, do well and stay focused. They’re all supporting each other in that way,” she says.
Wilson also says IAM has a strong commitment to community-building. Through PTA-led events, movie nights, picnics and student leadership groups like Link Crew, she says, “we really try to make students feel supported, with the older kids supporting the younger kids.”
How does the IB curriculum compare to traditional schools?
IAM is known for its rigorous International Baccalaureate program, and Wilson says, “it’s the rigor of the school that helps them do so well when they get to college.”
Her oldest — now an MIT graduate working as a software engineer — told her that IAM prepared him better than many of his peers.
“He said, ‘I see the kids around me struggle, but not me,’” she says. “The school teaches them how to study. They teach them how to stay organized.”
She adds that classes emphasize critical thinking across every subject.
“They teach you how to determine whether you have a credible source of information from the internet,” she explains. “Every class you have to do thorough analysis, no matter what class.”
How do students get to explore their personal interests?
One of IAM’s hallmark experiences is the Personal Project, a multi-year exploration tied to a student’s unique passion.
Wilson’s son used the project to dive into coding, which he had been curious about since age 13.
“They set them up with a teacher who worked with them one-on-one,” she says. “Together, they created a plan that led him to design a mobile app, which he ultimately published in the App Store.”
Her daughter, passionate about art, experienced the same individualized encouragement.
“They supported her so much,” Wilson says. “Teachers helped her enter Scholastic Art competitions, and she even created a permanent mural for the school’s Spanish room that still stands.”
Whether students lean toward STEM, arts or leadership, Wilson says IAM staff “identify talents and interests in them and then help develop and nurture it.”
What outside-of-school opportunities does IAM provide?
Wilson says IAM offers enriching opportunities that help make a well-rounded young person. For example, her children participated in honor societies, student council, coding and art clubs, volunteering opportunities, Science Olympiad, competitions and even international travel.
One exciting experience was when Wilson’s youngest was nominated by the principal to serve as a student advisor for the Michigan Department of Education, where he helped develop guidelines for creating safe spaces for discussions around mental health and race.
creating safe spaces for classroom discussions
Wilson says opportunities like these reflect IAM’s culture — one where students are seen, supported and challenged in meaningful ways.
“Everybody is there with the same purpose and they’re all supporting each other,” she said. “There’s just a lot of love and support in the school.”
Reporting by Tara Jones
Learn more about the International Academy of Macomb.
This content is sponsored by the Macomb Intermediate School District. Learn more about living and learning in Macomb County at Make Macomb Your Home.
Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
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