Fueling Student Success: How WBEF Grants Transform Classrooms

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI — In the West Bloomfield School District, the difference between a standard lesson and a transformative educational experience often begins with a single grant. The West Bloomfield Educational Foundation (WBEF) has established a legacy of fueling student success by providing educators with the resources to implement innovative, hands-on learning that goes far beyond traditional textbooks.

Bringing STEAM to Life

Innovation in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) is a hallmark of WBEF’s impact. For the 2025–2026 school year, the foundation is funding the “Laker STEAM Team” at ACS and “Scotch STEAM” at Scotch Elementary to provide students with high-level problem-solving opportunities. These projects build on a long history of technical investment, such as the “Robotics and Coding with iPads” initiative at Doherty Elementary and the introduction of “Bee-Bots for STEAM Learning” across multiple elementary schools.

Cultivating a Community of Readers

The WBEF understands that literacy is the foundation of all academic success. To support this, the foundation has funded a wide array of diverse and interactive literacy programs:

• Inclusive Literature: The “Stories That Spark” project at Gretchko Elementary and the “Project Lit Book Club” at Sheiko help students see themselves and others in the books they read.
• Engaging Young Readers: Initiatives like the “Book of the Month Club” at Doherty and “Historically Responsive Read Alouds” at Gretchko ensure that reading remains an exciting and relevant part of the school day.
• Literacy at Home: Programs such as “Take Home Readers = Life Long Readers” at Roosevelt bridge the gap between classroom instruction and home learning.

Supporting the Whole Student

Success in the classroom is deeply tied to a student’s social and emotional well-being. WBEF grants have pioneered the creation of supportive environments through projects like “Coping Kits” and “Zen Rooms,” which provide students with the tools they need to manage stress and stay focused on their studies. Recent grants for “Social Emotional Development” at Doherty and “SEL Tools” at Sheiko continue this mission, ensuring that every student has the emotional support necessary to excel academically.

A Multi-Year Commitment to Excellence

The scale of this transformation is made clear by the sheer volume of support provided over the years. Whether it was the 53 grants awarded during the challenging 2020–2021 fall mini-grant cycle to provide “Technology Toys and Learning Tools” or the 57 proposals selected in 2023–2024 to enhance everything from “LEGO Learning” to “Spanish Cultural Immersion,” the WBEF remains the driving force behind classroom innovation in West Bloomfield.

By investing directly in the creativity of teachers and the potential of students, the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation ensures that “Education First” is more than a slogan—it is a daily reality for every child in the district.