Rockford — Outdoor learning, Advanced Placement offerings and Spanish-language immersion were some of the topics covered when representatives from the Michigan Department of Education recently visited Rockford Public Schools.
David Judd and Drew Finkbeiner, director and assistant director, respectively, of MDE’s Office of Systems, Evaluation and Technology, and Cheryl Wilson, a computer-science consultant with the office, planned the visit with Rockford’s administrators. Their goal was to explore some of the district’s facilities, learn about its programs, and get a feel for what day-to-day learning looks like for its students.
The afternoon-long visit started at Rockford High School, where Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Mike Ramm, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Korie Wilson-Crawford, and RHS Principal Tom Hosford were part of the welcoming committee.
‘This is a place you’d want to have your kids attend.’
— David Judd, director of MDE’s Office of Systems, Evaluation and Technology
While at the high school, the MDE reps learned about the AP Seminar program, which replaced 10th-grade English during the 2023-24 school year as part of the RAMS XI strategic plan.
AP Seminar was a “seismic shift,” in AP accessibility, said Hosford. He noted that the course is part of an ongoing “AP for all” effort that’s “(letting) students know that they can do hard things.”
From RHS, the group moved to Roguewood Elementary, where Principal Amie Santillán talked about the district’s Early Total One-Way Spanish Immersion program. The program encourages bilingualism by teaching Spanish as the primary language of instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Santillán said the program — which celebrates its 20th year in 2025-26 — boosts achievement in the classroom and gives students an edge in the increasingly global job market.
The group then headed to the new Edgerton Trails Elementary, where Principal Shannon Ouellette led a walk-through of the school and its outdoor learning spaces, which make use of a wooded area and an extensive trail system on the property.
“This is a place you’d want to have your kids attend,” Judd said of Edgerton.
MDE office staff are asked to visit five public school districts each school year, said Judd, and Rockford was on his office’s list for 2024-25.
“It gets us out of Lansing and into where the action happens,” Finkbeiner said of on-site school visits. “And I think we learn more about how education works in Michigan so we can better serve our students and our teachers.”
So what were their impressions of Rockford? The MDE reps applauded the district’s emphasis on equity when it comes to providing opportunities to its students.
“It’s a well-resourced district. … It has some wealth in this area, but they’re using those benefits and resources within the community to really benefit all the students,” Judd said. “It’s a good-sized district that really leans into providing opportunities across the spectrum to all students.”
Added Wilson: “We’ve definitely seen some great things here today.”
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