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!
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.
School Transparency
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
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
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version
Skip to end of gallery
Skip to start of gallery
-
10 Nov
-
FAFSA Workshop (Grand Rapids Community College) 1:30 PM to 3:30 PMFAFSA Workshop (Grand Rapids Community College)Date: Nov 10Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PMLocation: Grand Rapids Community College, 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District CalendarTranslation services available in Spanish.
-
-
12 Nov
-
FAFSA Workshop (Ottawa Hills High School) 5:00 PM to 7:00 PMFAFSA Workshop (Ottawa Hills High School)Date: Nov 12Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District CalendarTranslation services available in Spanish
-
-
19 Nov
-
Burton School 100th Year Celebration 6:00 PM to 7:30 PMBurton School 100th Year CelebrationDate: Nov 19Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PMLocation: 2133 Buchanan Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, USACalendar: GRPS District CalendarShort program at 6:30 pm
-
-
25 Novthru Nov 27
-
No School | No LOOP Programming | Thanksgiving BreakDate: Nov 25 - Nov 27Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
26 Nov
-
GRPS 34th Annual Turkey TrotDate: Nov 26Location: Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
16 Decthru Dec 18
-
Half Days for Scholars | No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Dec 16 - Dec 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
21 Decthru Jan 1
-
No School | No LOOP Programming | Winter BreakDate: Dec 21 - Jan 1Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
4 Jan
-
First Day of Second SemesterDate: Jan 4Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
11 Jan
-
No School | No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Jan 11Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
18 Jan
-
No School | No LOOP Programming | Martin Luther King, Jr. DayDate: Jan 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
Max Gibbs Honored for Volunteer Service November 10, 2026
For 15 years, Max Gibbs has generously given his time and talents to Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Board Chambers Dedicated as "The Robert Dean Auditorium" November 10, 2026
The Grand Rapids Board of Education officially dedicated its board chambers as "The Robert Dean Auditorium" during its November meeting, honoring longtime community leader, pastor, and public servant Bishop Robert Dean for his enduring contributions to Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools.
Inspired by Those Who Helped Him, Melendez Pays It Forward November 5, 2026
When Arnaldo Melendez walks the halls of Burton Middle School, he sees pieces of his own story reflected in the scholars he serves.





