CA Frost Elem. Building

Apply Today! The Theme School Application is OPEN for the 2026-2027 school year. Learn more...

GRPS Expo & Information Fair Join us on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at GRPS University and learn more about the region’s largest, most comprehensive selection of school choices offered at GRPS.

Welcome to CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary (PK-5)

Welcome and thank you for choosing GRPS and CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary. Our staff is dedicated to helping each child reach their fullest potential and become stewards of the earth. 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 would like more information about CA Frost or to schedule a tour, please call us at 616-819-2550.

Erin Shadowens

Principal

School Apps

CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary

1460 Laughlin Dr. NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Phone: 616-819-2550

Fax: 616-819-2184

Erin Shadowens

Principal

Patricia Lesatz

Head Secretary

School Hours

Breakfast 8:50 a.m.
Start Time 9:10 a.m.
Dismissal 4:08 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 12:20 p.m.

School Transparency

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At CA Frost Elementary, no child is left inside!

CA Frost Environmental Science Academy is a GRPS theme school located on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. Frost is designed to provide scholars with opportunities to explore nature and become independent problem solvers who care about the earth.

Scholars at Frost participate in an environmental science lab, better known as E-lab, twice per week. E-lab provides scholars opportunities to participate in project-based learning curriculum that encourages their natural curiosity and motivation to learn about environmental topics. Scholars in every grade participate in outdoor learning experiences to extend and enrich what they are learning in the classroom. These experiences include sledding, hiking, nature journaling, stream studies, orienteering, greenhouse management, wildlife observations, and overnight camping.

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.

CA Frost Elementary is located on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. We are fortunate to have Blandford Nature Center in our backyard where our scholars can explore, learn, and develop an appreciation for nature.

CA Frost Elementary Photo Tour

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Events

19 Jan
- No School | No LOOP Programming | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  
  No School | No LOOP Programming | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  
  Date: Jan 19
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
23 Jan
- Union Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth Night 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  
  Union Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth Night
  
  Date: Jan 23
  
  Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  
  Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
26 Jan
- Union Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth Night 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  
  Union Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth Night
  
  Date: Jan 26
  
  Time: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  
  Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
28 Jan
- GRPS Expo & Information Fair 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
  
  GRPS Expo & Information Fair
  
  Date: Jan 28
  
  Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
  
  Location: 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  
  Join GRPS on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at GRPS University for the annual Expo & Information Fair! With the largest selection of school choices in West Michigan, this is your chance to explore our schools, learn about enrollment, and meet GRPS staff while enjoying free dinner, giveaways, and fun activities.
  Bring the whole family and get ready for the 2026–2027 school year—see you there!
30 Jan
- Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth Night 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  
  Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth Night
  
  Date: Jan 30
  
  Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  
  Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
10 Feb
- Ottawa Hills Bengals Girls Basketball Youth Night 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  
  Ottawa Hills Bengals Girls Basketball Youth Night
  
  Date: Feb 10
  
  Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  
  Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
16 Feb
thru Feb 17
- No School | No LOOP Programming | Mid-Winter Break
  
  No School | No LOOP Programming | Mid-Winter Break
  
  Date: Feb 16 - Feb 17
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
5 Mar
- 2026 LatinX Youth Conference
  
  2026 LatinX Youth Conference
  
  Date: Mar 5
  
  Location: Grand Rapids Community College
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
3 Apr
thru Apr 10
- No School | No LOOP Programming | Spring Break
  
  No School | No LOOP Programming | Spring Break
  
  Date: Apr 3 - Apr 10
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
18 May
- CA Frost Middle High School Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  
  CA Frost Middle High School Graduation Ceremony
  
  Date: May 18
  
  Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  
  Location: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

View School Calendar

‹ January 2026 ›

Jan 1

No School | No LOOP Programming | Winter Break

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Jan 2

No School | No LOOP Programming | Winter Break

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Jan 14

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Alexander Community Engagement Meeting

Location: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

This meeting will be held in the Auditorium.

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Alexander Community Engagement Meeting

Location: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

This meeting will be held in the Auditorium.

Jan 15

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Stocking Elementary Community Engagement Meeting

Location: 863 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Stocking Elementary Community Engagement Meeting

Location: 863 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Jan 19

No School | No LOOP Programming | Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Jan 23

4:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Union Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth Night

Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Jan 26

4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Union Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth Night

Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Jan 28

4:30 PM to 6:30 PM

GRPS Expo & Information Fair

Location: 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Join GRPS on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at GRPS University for the annual Expo & Information Fair! With the largest selection of school choices in West Michigan, this is your chance to explore our schools, learn about enrollment, and meet GRPS staff while enjoying free dinner, giveaways, and fun activities.

Bring the whole family and get ready for the 2026–2027 school year—see you there!

Jan 30

4:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth Night

Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

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School News

Both GRPS Wrestling Teams Perform Strongly at Dunneback Memorial Tournament January 16, 2026

The Dunneback Memorial Wrestling Tournament, held earlier this month, showcased strong performances from both Union and Ottawa Hills.

Reimagine Alexander & Stocking: Community meetings held, online feedback form open January 16, 2026

The future of two former school sites will be centered on community feedback, and there is still time for you to add your voice.

Redhawks Boys Basketball Showing Major Turnaround This Season January 15, 2026

The Union Redhawks varsity boys basketball team continues its resurgence this season, already surpassing its combined win total from the previous two years with more than half of the schedule still remaining.