Principal Greg Green decided that the Flipped Classroom model would be the best use of time, resources, and teacher energy for Clintondale High School. "We just did what made sense for us," he said. The Flipped Classroom model allowed the school to align resources it already had to offer increased support to students and teachers.
One of Clintondale High School's biggest challenges was designing effective, research-based learning experiences at the school to complement the online video component of the Flipped Classroom model. Although outside observers and other schools tend to devote more attention the online component, Clintondale has worked hard to shift the focus to the enhanced opportunities for learning and student support in the classroom that this model makes possible.
It is important for schools to outline clear objectives for blended-learning programs and then find what technology aligns best with these objectives. Schools must also be willing to undergo comprehensive redesigns of the way they use time and classroom space. For example, classrooms at Clintondale High School are set up more like a traditional elementary school classroom, with large tables to facilitate group work.
Located in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, Clintondale High School provides educational services for nearly 600 students, the majority of whom are considered at-risk students. Facing a steady decline in test scores and persistent discipline issues, Clintondale's principal decided to take a chance by implementing a flipped classroom pilot in 2010. Deemed in all ways successful, the pilot expanded to encompass the entire school during the 2011-12 school year. Clintondale has since received significant recognition for its blended-learning initiatives (see articles from CNN, The New York Times, Fast Company Magazine, & Forbes). The school provides all of its classroom content free-of-charge on the organization's website.
Contact: Greg Green
Address:
Clintondale High School
35200 Little Mack Ave
Clinton Township, Michigan
48035
United States
Telephone: (586)-791-6300