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The district is making progress on a multimillion dollar renovation project at one of its key athletic facilities.

As summer approaches, both Ottawa Hills High School and Union High School are gearing up for an exciting season of athletic development and fun.

Three seniors from Grand Rapids Montessori Middle High School have committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Watch BOE in 60, a one-minute recap of the July Grand Rapids Board of Education meeting.

The Grand Rapids Board of Education voted Monday to approve the 2025-26 budget. The 2025–26 budget totals $259.8 million, a $16.7 million decrease from the 2024–25 budget of $276.5 million.

In response to rising costs and the expiration of federal ESSER funding, GRPS is implementing a series of reductions in the 2025-26 budget proposal designed to ensure long-term financial stability while prioritizing classroom learning and staff compensation.

Summer 2025 marks the busiest season yet for the Reimagine GRPS with Us! initiative, with transformative projects underway across the district to create more inspiring and safer spaces for scholars and staff.

While they may be eager to begin summer vacation, administrators at GRPS are gearing up for a busy summer of their own — starting with renovations to the old Sigsbee Elementary building, which will soon become Southeast Career Pathways.

Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby shared the following message with GRPS Families & Staff on the final day of school.

Fifth-graders at Aberdeen Academy have gained a powerful new ally in their campaign to name the stonefly as Michigan’s official state insect.

GRPS, along with our partners Wightman and DLR Group, unveiled initial renderings for the new elementary school set to open in 2027 at the site of Aberdeen Academy.

The new leader at Aberdeen Academy, Principal Shelley Miller, is driven by a passion for children and a deep commitment to shaping engaged, community-minded scholars.

Meg Johnson, who uses they/them pronouns, recently completed their first year as a full-time art teacher, but they are no stranger to art and education.

When Alger Middle School scholars return this August, they’ll find something new waiting for them: a state-of-the-art classical piano lab, made possible through the generosity of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation.

The Grand Rapids Board of Education approved a shift in the Reimagine GRPS Facility Plan timeline on Monday night. Alger Middle School's relocation to Ottawa Hills High School will be delayed by one year to the 2026-27 school year.

At Blandford School, education is more than just academics -- it's about nurturing creativity, fostering passion, and cultivating a strong sense of community. That's a truth that Nick Maodush-Pitzer knows well.

An open-house style gathering will include music, food, yard games and more, giving teachers and students from half a century of Blandford a chance to celebrate and reconnect.

This week's GRPS Champion is Haiden Johnson, an elementary teacher at Brookside Elementary School. Known for her passion for teaching and love for her school, Johnson’s dedication shines through in every aspect of her work.


A trio of teachers came together as the Sugarbush Team to give their scholars lessons in maple syrup, including what is being billed as the first-ever district taste-testing challenge.

At Buchanan Elementary, third-grade teacher Sarah Garcia is making a profound impact on her scholars and school community.

Buchanan Elementary School Principal Michael Thomasma was inspired to become an educator by his very first teacher: his mother.


Illiana Garcia, a dedicated GSRP Associate Teacher at Burton Elementary School, finds joy in building meaningful connections with scholars and their families.

Three GRPS educators have been named the Jean Hamilton Cope Teachers of the Year.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited preschool classrooms at Burton Elementary Monday to see the difference pre-K is having on scholars in Grand Rapids as they begin their academic journey.

Amanda Palmer teaches math at Burton Middle School, making an impact that has shaped her family for decades – and now generations of others.

Burton Middle School's new principal, driven by a lifelong passion for education inspired by her parents, is ready to lead.

The beauty of a quiet snow day at GRPS. Captured Jan. 10, 2024.

For Karla Finn, Grand Rapids Public Schools has always felt like home.

Kevin Geary was born and raised in Grand Rapids and went into teaching like just about everyone else in his family. He’s been teaching now for 24 years.

GRPS scholars are supporting the Detroit Lions playoff run by participating in a statewide drawing contest during art class.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

A combined marching band made up of scholars from five Grand Rapids Public Schools high schools was awarded “Best High School Band” at the Mackinaw Memorial Day Parade, which is the largest Memorial Day parade in Michigan.

At Campus Elementary, second-grade teacher Brooke Nelson embodies a spirit of collaboration, community, and care.


Pastor’s daughter and former GRPS student persevered to earn two degrees and a lifetime of experience to share with her scholars.

As the driving force behind both City High Middle and the Center for Economicology, Principal Charlie Vandervliet is dedicated to shaping the next generation of innovators and community leaders.

For City High Middle School’s Head Secretary, her role is all about the relationships she builds and impact she hopes to leave.

The beauty of a quiet snow day at GRPS. Captured Jan. 10, 2024.

FOX 17’s If You Give a Child a Book Campaign raised $37,310 in 2024, allowing us to provide seven books to each student at both Kent Hills Elementary and Cesar E Chavez Elementary.

New Principal, Jessica Schwarz, who speaks fluent Spanish, is thrilled to be at Chavez; the school’s transitional bilingual model will allow her to focus on “ensuring our students have access to their full linguistic repertoire.”

Jessica Schwarz's path to leadership at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School began amidst the volcanic landscapes of Hawaii.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

Each week at City High Middle School this year, about two dozen high schoolers gathered to celebrate and learn about Black culture, from music and cooking to history and current issues.

Young artists from Coit Creative Arts Academy will soon have their work displayed at a nationally significant site more than 800 miles from home.

For Lisa Herman, teaching at Coit Creative Arts Academy is about empowering scholars to take ownership of their learning.

A scholar at Coit Creative Arts Academy was able to play on the big stage at DeVos Performance Hall with legendary rapper T.I. during the Grand Rapids Symphony’s Celebration of Soul concert.

A Grand Rapids elementary school unveiled a new student-inspired mural Thursday morning.

March is National Reading Month, a time to reiterate the joys and benefits of picking up a good book!

From the moment Allison Klinck stepped into Congress Elementary as a student teacher, she knew she had found her teaching home.

Kyler Jackson has reached the grandest stage in basketball, the NBA. But it's not because of his jump shot or ball-handling skills. It's because he's good at math!

Maria Mateo, the head secretary at Dickinson Elementary, is more than just the friendly face that greets families each day. She's a pillar of support for the entire school community.

You might say that education is in Cindy Rivera’s blood as both of her parents were educators too.

She thought it was just their typical Monday morning assembly. Really, 13 ON YOUR SIDE was there to surprise her as our next Teacher of the Week—and she could not hold back the tears.

GRPS 8th graders had the opportunity to learn about the environment around us during the annual Canoemobile experience.

Three Grand Rapids Public Schools educators were honored Sunday at the Olivia Margo Anderson Excellence in Education Scholarship Brunch.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

Meet Kaylie Padron, a senior at the Grand Rapids Learning Center.

At Grand Rapids Montessori Academy, Roni Van Buren helps to bridge the gap between past and present, scholar and educator, community and classroom.

The 6-8th grade Environmental Service Award winner is Grand Rapids Montessori Academy’s E2 class for their "Taking Care of Our Place -- Our Campus, Our Community, Our Watershed" project.

The best part of Theron Brown’s day at Grand Rapids Montessori often comes before the first bell even rings.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

A combined marching band made up of scholars from five Grand Rapids Public Schools high schools was awarded “Best High School Band” at the Mackinaw Memorial Day Parade, which is the largest Memorial Day parade in Michigan.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

Emry Herring will spend the summer at the XQ Institute in Oakland, California, continuing a journey that started inside the classrooms of Grand Rapids Public Museum High School.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

Two Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (UPREP) scholars were crowned state champions at the 2025 Michigan High School Esports Federation state competition.

Courtney Glinka, a teacher at Harrison Park Academy, traces her passion for education and community service back to her childhood in Flint.

Along with reading and history, hundreds of West Michigan students are spending their class time learning how to become "habitat heroes," staring with releasing Monarch butterflies.

During the 100th anniversary event, students and staff from the last century gathered to enjoy dinner, cupcakes and bury a time capsule in the courtyard that had been filled with photos, letters and drawings.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

In spite of everything Barrett has dealt with, he still chooses to focus on the positive.

At Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary School, one of the first friendly faces scholars encounter each morning is Deb Davis, the school’s Nutritional Specialist.

An exciting new chapter is beginning for two GRPS schools, and it will be guided by a leader who knows the community well.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer stopped by to visit scholars at Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary School Monday afternoon.

For Maura Jones, a third-grade teacher at Kent Hills Elementary School, teaching at GRPS is all about consistency, relationships, and diversity.

FOX 17’s If You Give a Child a Book Campaign raised $37,310 in 2024, allowing us to provide seven books to each student at both Kent Hills Elementary and Cesar E Chavez Elementary.

The leader of Kent Hills Elementary School, Chad Nielsen, brings a deeply rooted passion for education that stems from his upbringing in a family of public school employees.

For Carmen Dunbar, teaching is more than a profession - it’s a calling.

Three Grand Rapids Public Schools educators were honored Sunday at the Olivia Margo Anderson Excellence in Education Scholarship Brunch.

Keli Christopher went to GRPS schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and became a trailblazing woman of color on her way to a doctoral degree in Agricultural Engineering. Now, she’s giving back to the school system she said gave her so much.

Sandra (Sandy) Edwards, secretary at Mulick Park Elementary School, is serving the same community she’s called home her entire life.

Grand Rapids Public Schools has been a significant part of Mulick Park Elementary School Principal Thomas Standifer’s life.

Mulick Park Elementary transformed Friday into the heart of “Move More Month” with the American Heart Association of West Michigan.

Sandra (Sandy) Edwards, secretary at Mulick Park Elementary School, is serving the same community she’s called home her entire life.

Grand Rapids Public Schools has been a significant part of Mulick Park Elementary School Principal Thomas Standifer’s life.

Mulick Park Elementary transformed Friday into the heart of “Move More Month” with the American Heart Association of West Michigan.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

A combined marching band made up of scholars from five Grand Rapids Public Schools high schools was awarded “Best High School Band” at the Mackinaw Memorial Day Parade, which is the largest Memorial Day parade in Michigan.

GRPS, along with our partners Wightman and DLR Group, unveiled initial renderings for the new elementary school set to open in 2027 at the site of Aberdeen Academy.

GRPS will unveil initial renderings of the new elementary school, set to open in 2027 at the Aberdeen Academy site, during a community meeting in April.

For Brittany Speck, a first-grade teacher at Palmer Elementary, the passion for teaching goes beyond the classroom—it’s the small, everyday moments that make her work so fulfilling.

For Quaonna Draper, serving as a Health Aide at Ridgemoor Park Montessori is about more than just tending to injuries - it’s about creating a safe, supportive space where scholars feel cared for every day.

More than 500 middle and high school scholars traveled to Washington D.C. for one week to visit museums and monuments, and meet Michigan Representatives.

Congratulations to Ca'Niyah Sutton (Westwood Middle School), Remington Davis (Center for Economicology) and Jeckia Brooks (Riverside Middle School)!

Riverside Middle School scholar Aman Negash steps into the spotlight as TV 8's Student of the Week

At Shawmut Hills Academy, no two days are ever the same for school secretary Lisa Stewart - and that’s exactly what she loves about her job.

Three GRPS scholars were honored by the West Michigan Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) in the Sergeant Moses Adams Brochure Contest.

What started as a fun idea in 2016 has now become an annual tradition and favorite moment of the holiday season.

An exciting new chapter is beginning for two GRPS schools, and it will be guided by a leader who knows the community well.

Tamika Henry didn’t always envision a career in education, but she soon discovered it was where she truly belonged.

PK-6 theme school becomes one of only two schools in Kent County to earn International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme designation

There’s no better way to learn about the environment than to experience it up close, and for some Sibley Elementary fifth-graders, that meant seeing Lake Michigan for the very first time.

Sibley Elementary School Principal Roselyn Charles-Maher is a lifelong educator who knew from a young age exactly what she wanted to do.

What started as a fun idea in 2016 has now become an annual tradition and favorite moment of the holiday season.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

As Head Counselor at Southeast Career Pathways, Lisa Cook is dedicated to guiding scholars toward graduation and renewed confidence in their academic journey.

Troy Wilbon, Principal at Southeast Career Pathways, has dedicated his life to helping young people succeed both in and out of the classroom.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Graduation night is a time to honor hard work, perseverance, and achievement.

As a first-grade teacher at Southwest Elementary School Academia Bilingüe, Maria Martin is proudly continuing a family tradition of education.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools community proudly celebrates the Class of 2025!

Grand Rapids Public Schools is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025, with approximately 750 graduates receiving their diplomas and taking their next steps toward bright and promising futures.

The Union High School varsity girls soccer team won the Oakridge Invitational tournament on Saturday, with wins over Tri-County, West Michigan Aviation, and Oakridge.

Two dedicated chefs at Westwood Middle School, Carolyn Carter and Robin Bieschke, are making a meaningful impact in the lives of scholars every day - not just through the meals they serve, but through the connections they build.

Every day, Deb Lubbers steps into Westwood Middle School with a clear purpose: to inspire and guide her students toward success.

Westwood Middle School’s Interim Principal is a GRPS veteran with a focus on building relationships with scholars, families, staff, and community.

It’s an experience that is uniquely GRPS: scholars going to school every day in a zoo. For one of the school’s teachers, it’s why he loves his job.

Zoo School will return to holding classes as usual on Thursday, January 9.

As Zoo School turns 50, volunteers are planning an open-house style event with a taco dinner, music, games and more to highlight the commitment to excellence in education offered by Grand Rapids Public Schools.