Dickinson Building

GRPS Winter Concerts Be sure to catch our scholars’ outstanding performances this season! View Upcoming Events

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 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

22 Dec
thru Jan 2
- No School | No LOOP Programming | Winter Break
  
  No School | No LOOP Programming | Winter Break
  
  Date: Dec 22 - Jan 2
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
23 Dec
- Ottawa Hills vs. Union Varsity Basketball at Van Andel Arena 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  
  Ottawa Hills vs. Union Varsity Basketball at Van Andel Arena
  
  Date: Dec 23
  
  Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  
  Location: Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  
  Varsity Girls - 5:00 pm
  Varsity Boys - 7:00 pm
  
  Use this link for tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Varsityboys8
14 Jan
- Alexander Community Engagement Meeting 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
  
  Alexander Community Engagement Meeting
  
  Date: Jan 14
  
  Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
  
  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.
- Alexander Community Engagement Meeting 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
  
  Alexander Community Engagement Meeting
  
  Date: Jan 14
  
  Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
  
  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.
15 Jan
- Stocking Elementary Community Engagement Meeting 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
  
  Stocking Elementary Community Engagement Meeting
  
  Date: Jan 15
  
  Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
  
  Location: 863 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
- Stocking Elementary Community Engagement Meeting 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
  
  Stocking Elementary Community Engagement Meeting
  
  Date: Jan 15
  
  Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
  
  Location: 863 7th St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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!

View School Calendar

‹ December 2025 ›

Dec 17

Half-Day for Scholars | No LOOP Programming