Arts Academy In the Woods - Fraser, Michigan

Lisa B.

The best school around. Based in arts education. Grades 6-12. Cannot say enough positive things about this school. The students, teachers and curriculum are all amazing.

Payton W.

I say this as a student that WON AWARDS in this schools name.. please do NOT send your kids here. The few good teachers left when I left (I couldn't stand graduating from this school), and the few left there now are mostly substitutes and teachers that lie about losing your homework.

While I was there, students were putting together a petition to give to the school board to kick out a teacher that forced kids to redo work that they "never turned in", only to find numerous duplicate works when the school year was over as they cleaned out their desk. That teacher is STILL there!

If you have a child that requires special needs of any kind, this is not the place for them. I have seen kids with Tourettes blamed and punished for their outbursts that they medically can't control, and those with 504 plans ignored entirely. If your student requires any accommodations, this is NOT the school for them.

Some students got away with way too much, there is minimal supervision and it was chaos. I distinctly remember having the K9 unit search the school for drugs twice in a year, making all the students stay in their classrooms so they could search lockers. What other schools do you see do that? There is nothing but drama because the environment feeds into it. It's a small building with cramped classrooms, you can't avoid anyone.

There was never good heating and cooling either, and it seemed like all the school funding we got went towards meaningless stuff. The year I was leaving out, they introduced the middle school, which every single current student protested. If you can't handle what you already have, why in gods name would you add MORE to your plate I can't speak for those middle schoolers, but as a highschooler, we felt neglected and we also felt horrible for those kids.

To cover my bases, I won my award in digital art. My teacher there did their best to get a loud and easily distracted group of kids to make great things, and they never did anything wrong in my eyes. There were some good teachers there, to reiterate, but the school environment encourages kids to "be themselves", which also involved NINTH GRADERS walking their boyfriends on leashes with collars to their classes. I cannot make this up if I tried.

Please reconsider sending your kids here. There are so many better schools, and the arts program funding is picking up in many.

HELP M. L. (.

I believe that this school is the best option for those who do not want to be restricted based on their presentation as a person or views that they have personally.
this school which I used to attend is LGBTQ+ friendly with safe space classrooms and students are accommodated based on their needs individually. the teachers work with you, not against you. If you ever have a need for change, as in something that you find wrong, students stand together with reasonable cause.
the way that teachers provide education is definitely unique, and they approach you like a normal person, not just as a student. they consider your emotions and feelings as you are someone who matters. each teacher has their own unique personality and that is something that I really enjoyed. compared to other schools, I appreciate the fact that it's not just a strictly professional approach to teaching students.
this school definitely focuses on your talents as an individuals and you have teachers that push you to strive.
all students here also have their own unique personality which shows in some of the reviews on here, some silly or some opinionated.
sometimes the school can be a little hectic but that's just what happens when you have a lot of strong personalities in one setting.

I enjoyed my time here as a student and person, even though I parted ways early which was my own decision. I was focused on other things but I did attend here for a couple of years.

the only thing that I can say that I disliked, was the food haha, but maybe that was just my problem.

best of luck to the artists who want to achieve their goals as a person, thank you teachers who made me feel more comfortable, have a good graduation upper classmen.

Cynthia T.

My grandchild attends this school. The curriculum is well rounded and my grandchild is thriving in both academics and the arts. She's also connecting well with her peers.

Sam M.

I loved my experience at this school. The faculty are so honest and comforting, the student body isn't too big, and I really felt a sense of belonging being a young artist amongst artists. The inside of the school is gorgeous and the art studios are nice. Truly one of a kind.

Flat S. (.

I recommend this school. This school saved my life. The school community is diverse and welcoming. I appreciate all the kind and wonderful staff. I love the fact that I could use my preferred name when the last school I was in shunned me for it.
I think the school needs to be funded more so we have better equipment but over all it is wonderful and I appreciate coming here everyday. I don't fear going to school anymore.

Cutie D.

My daughter was heading down the wrong path in her middle school. She felt alone, like an outsider, bullied. I found this school and within the first week I could see a huge change in her emotions, her confidence went through roof. she's No longer the outsider just trying to make it through the day. she's a student looking forward school next week. She comes home smiling not crying anymore. We love this school its a real high school, where you can be who you are and not bullied for it. Thanks AAW for giving me my baby back.

Marcella B.

This is my daughter's 3rd year. The teachers are the reason she loves it so much. She has excelled in visual arts because of Mrs. Bernards dedication to the students. We can't say enough about ALL the teachers at AAW. Excellent staff! Although my daughter can go to school anywhere, we drive 45 miles one way and it's so worth it.