Welcome to Blandford School (6)

Welcome and thank you for choosing GRPS and Blandford School. Our staff is dedicated to helping each child reach their fullest potential and become independent, self-driven learners. We are fortunate to have Blandford Nature Center in our backyard which invites our scholars and staff to explore learning and use nature as their classroom. 

If you are interested in learning more about the rigor and zeal of Blandford School, please contact us directly at 616-819-2555. We'd be happy to show you around the school!

Erin Shadowens
Principal

School Apps

Blandford School

3143 Milo St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Phone: 616-819-2555 Fax: 616-819-5243
Erin Shadowens
Principal
Nicolette Ferguson
Head Secretary

School Hours

Breakfast 7:50 a.m.
Start Time 8:10 a.m.
Dismissal 3:08 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:20 a.m. 

At Blandford, nature is your classroom! 

Blandford is a 6th grade program that offers outdoor learning experiences and a rigorous curriculum. The school is designed to heighten an awareness of the environment, stimulate creative thinking, develop leadership, promote intellectual growth, and increase self-esteem. Our Blandford staff is committed to fostering your child's potential to learn and achieve through a learning environment that values hands-on, project-based learning experiences. Scholars are provided with exciting challenges and opportunities for a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience that focuses on nature and the great outdoors. 

The Blandford "classroom" consists of over 100 acres of ponds, streams, woods, and fields along with a more traditional classroom that supports the outdoor theme. Attracting students from public and non-public schools throughout Grand Rapids, as well as a handful of students from nearby cities, the student body at Blandford is a heterogeneous mixture of ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds. 

While we have too many special projects and programs to name them all, a few highlights include:

  • chicken adoption
  • International Night dinner
  • performance of A Christmas Carol
  • fall and spring camp
  • Wildflower Tea
  • BEEP Bazaar 

We have incorporated distance learning for years and are poised to be a leader in the district as a blended model of new technologies and old practices, giving our students the best of both worlds. Our 1-to-1 student technology device approach ensures that every student has the opportunity to learn inside and outside the classroom.

Blandford School is located in a state of the art, LEED certified facility on the Northwest side of Grand Rapids. This building, along with Blandford Nature Center’s 143 acres of ponds, streams, woods, and fields, offers students an unparalleled learning environment.  Scholars will enjoy their collaborative learning experience by sharing two classrooms and a large meeting space both indoors and outside in nature.

Blandford School Photo Tour


  • 31 Mar
    • Native American Education Program (NAEP) Library Ribbon-Cutting
      Date: Mar 31
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: 850 Chatham St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      5:30 pm: Program 5:45-7:00 pm: Open House Light refreshments provided.
  • 3 Apr
    thru Apr 10
  • 22 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 22
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 23 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 23
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 24 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 24
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 25 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 25
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 26 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 26
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 27 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 27
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 28 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 28
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 29 Apr
    • Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public
      Date: Apr 29
      Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
      Location: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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City High Middle & Center for Economicology closed Thur. & Fri.; all other schools open

Cleanup and remediation work is continuing following flooding at City High Middle School. Both City High Middle School and the Center for Economicology will remain closed for the remainder of the week, with the goal of reopening on Monday, March 16. All other GRPS schools will be open Thursday.

Union Football hosts fourth annual youth development clinics

The Union High School Football Program is developing the next generation of Redhawks during the fourth annual off-season youth development clinics happening on Sundays in February and March.

Senior Showcase: Jana Kalumbula focused on film and inclusion

Meet Jana Kalumbula, a senior at City High Middle School. She has attended GRPS since preschool.