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.”

Principal
Cindy Rivera Madera

School Apps

Dickinson Academy

448 Dickinson St. SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Phone: 616-819-2505
Cindy Rivera Madera
Principal
Thomas James
Dean of Scholars
Maria Mateo
Head Secretary
Bridget Cheney
Executive Director PK-12 Instructional Leadership (Southeast)

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. 

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.

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

Meet Our Principal

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


  • 23 Dec
    thru Jan 3
  • 6 Jan
  • 14 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop at Southwest Middle High
      Date: Jan 14
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingue, 327 Rumsey St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish.
  • 16 Jan
  • 20 Jan
  • 22 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop - Union High School (Union scholars only)
      Date: Jan 22
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish, Kinyarwanda and Swahili.
  • 23 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop - Innovation Central High School
      Date: Jan 23
      Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Innovation Central High School - Grand Rapids Public Schools, 421 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 4
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish & Kinyarwanda.
  • 29 Jan
    • GRPS School Choice Expo 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
      GRPS School Choice Expo
      Date: Jan 29
      Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
      Location: GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 30 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop - Grand Rapids Public Museum High School
      Date: Jan 30
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Grand Rapids Public Schools Museum High School, 54 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish.
  • 4 Feb
    • FAFSA Workshop - CA Frost Middle High School
      Date: Feb 4
      Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: CA Frost Science Academy High School, 1417 Covell Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Season of Gratitude: GRPS Reflects on 2024

As we begin our holiday break, I hope you’re able to take time to relax and enjoy the season with loved ones.

GRPS scholars honored in Rosa Parks Essay Contest

Four GRPS scholars were awarded prizes by the Rosa Parks Education Committee in the Rosa Parks Essay Contest.

WOOD TV: Grammy-nominated teacher passes on love for music to GRPS students

It’s not every day students in elementary school get to work with a Grammy-nominated music engineer who plays ten instruments and loves teaching — unless they attend Grand Rapids Public School Coit Creative Arts Academy.

For assistance accessing information on our newsletter, please contact us at dickinsonacademy@grps.org.