GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) - Music, chants, and school spirit filled Paul I. Phillips on Friday, September 11, as Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy scholars gathered for House Sorting Day.
Modeled after Ron Clark’s House System, the event introduced scholars to four houses built around friendship, service, courage, and creativity. Each house is led by a UPREP administrator and includes scholars from grades six through twelve, creating opportunities for students across grade levels to connect, build relationships, and compete together.
The energy grew as students entered to music, followed by administrators making their own entrances in representation of each house. After learning about the houses and their core values, scholars practiced the chants that will fuel house spirit throughout the school year.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: the sorting.
One advisory class at a time was called onto the gym floor and surrounded a sea of black balloons. As cheers rang out, scholars selected their balloons, popped them, and discovered which house they will call their own for their entire UPREP journey.
Ms. Hill-Hall, UPREP’s principal and leader of Rêveur, introduced the activity by emphasizing the importance of community and belonging.
“The goal is to build full belonging in our community at UPREP,” she said. “We’re ready to discover what we’re capable of and take things to new heights.” Her words set the tone for a year of new possibilities, perfectly aligned with this year’s school theme: “Cleared for Takeoff.”
The four houses are:
- Amistad (Red), the House of Friendship, led by Ms. Davis, Learning Experience Coordinator.
- Altruismo (Black), the House of Givers, led by Ms. Johnson, Assistant Principal.
- Isibindi (Green), the House of Courage, led by Mr. Reedy, Scholar Success Coordinator.
- Rêveur (Blue), the House of Dreamers, led by Ms. Hill-Hall, Principal.
Senior scholar Chris Collier, an Isibindi house leader, summed up the excitement: “I’m excited. You know, in Isibindi we’re the GOATs.”
Throughout the year, scholars will earn house points through the 3R’s—respect, responsibility, and readiness to learn—as well as classroom participation and house challenges. With Spirit Week underway, the competition has officially begun. Four houses, one family—and UPREP is cleared for takeoff.
