Dickinson Building

Welcome to Dickinson Academy (PK-8)

I am deeply proud to be the principal of Dickinson Academy Cultural Center. These walls give our students knowledge and represent an incredibly colorful mosaic of traditions, languages, and worldviews that add so much value to our education.

Our classrooms resonate with a mix of multiculturalism as each student speaks one of 12 different languages. The languages spoken further demonstrate the distinctiveness and uniqueness of our school community. Our diversity is more than mere statistics; it defines our very being.

Our staff, hailing from various backgrounds and possessing diverse skills, are the backbone of our school. We are a united front, always vigilant to ensure that every student is seen, heard, and respected, fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.

“We are Stronger and Better Together.”

Cindy Rivera Madera

Principal

School Apps

Dickinson Academy

448 Dickinson St. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Phone: 616-819-2505

Fax: 616-819-2502

Cindy Rivera Madera

Principal

Thomas James

Scholar Success Coordinator

Maria Mateo

Head Secretary

School Hours

Breakfast 8:10 a.m.
Start Time 8:30 a.m.
Dismissal 3:28 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:40 a.m.

School Transparency

Annual Reports More...

School Safety Drills Reports More...

KSSN

We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator

At Dickinson Academy, we foster a supportive environment where everyone develops into confident, resourceful, and responsible members of our school, neighborhood, and global community.

Dickinson Academy strives to build a nurturing, cohesive, and student-focused community by facilitating meaningful interactions inside and outside the classroom. Our dedication to intentional and relevant teaching ensures that every student can excel academically and socially.

We value strong collaborations between our school, families, and the broader community. To support this, we collaborate closely with the Kent Schools Services Network. As a Cultural Center, we also provide English as a Second Language (ESL) services through our experienced, bilingual staff.

Meet Our Principal

Dickinson Academy Points of Pride

School Assemblies
Scholar leadership groups
Field trips and experiential learning opportunities
Cultural recognitions and celebrations
Spirit and Inclusion Weeks
Family and Academic Nights
STEM Greenhouse programming
After school tutoring programs
Social Emotional Learning

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.

Dickinson Academy was built in 2008 and is designed for academic excellence. Special features include hallway design that encourages group learning to acoustic engineering that makes it easier to hear teachers in the classroom. It is located in Southeast Grand Rapids.

Dickinson Academy Photo Tour

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Events

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
22 Apr
- Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  
  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

View School Calendar

‹ February 2026 ›

Feb 10

4:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Ottawa Hills Bengals Girls Basketball Youth Night

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

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Feb 16

No School | No LOOP Programming | Mid-Winter Break

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Feb 17

No School | No LOOP Programming | Mid-Winter Break

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

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'Reimagine' Vlog: New video of projects at Aberdeen, Innovation Central & Ottawa Hills February 26, 2026

In the latest Reimagine Vlog, GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby shares an update on construction projects happening at Aberdeen Academy, Innovation Central High School, and Ottawa Hills High School.

Redhawks make strides, freshman diver qualifies for regionals February 25, 2026

The Union Redhawks boys swim and dive team is making significant progress this season, fueled by a wave of new athletes and steady improvement in the pool.