Welcome to Brookside Elementary (PK-5)
My name is Wayne Hill, and I am excited to serve as the Interim Principal this year at Brookside Elementary. Brookside is truly a treasure—home to an incredibly diverse and vibrant community of scholars, dedicated teachers, supportive families, and strong community partnerships.
This year, our shared mission is to work together to ensure that every scholar is seen, valued, and given the tools and encouragement they need to thrive. We will meet each student where they are and help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally in a safe, loving, and inclusive environment.
I believe that when schools and families work hand-in-hand, there is no limit to what our scholars can achieve. Together, we will cultivate a culture of respect, curiosity, and perseverance, empowering our students to not only succeed in the classroom but also develop the character and confidence to be leaders in their own lives.
I look forward to getting to know each of you and working side by side to make this a year full of growth, joy, and memorable moments for every scholar at Brookside.
If you would like more information about Brookside Elementary, please call us at 616-819-2242.
Interim Principal
Wayne Hill

Brookside Elementary
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
At Brookside, we pride ourselves on positive relationships and academic growth.
Beautiful, walkable, and surrounded by green space, Brookside Elementary combines a strong academic program with a consistent focus on restorative practices in a safe, vibrant learning community.
Located on the southeast side of Grand Rapids next to the Gerald R. Ford Nature Center and the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, our scholars benefit from learning in their own neighborhood. At Brookside, we are committed to ensuring all scholars experience an engaging curriculum and high achievement. Our staff work with each scholar to identify their needs and help them take their learning to the next level. We also partner with local organizations to ensure that our scholars can bring their learning to life.
The partnership between school staff and caregivers at Brookside Elementary builds a positive, collaborative learning environment. Families are welcomed and encouraged to be involved in various aspects of their scholar’s growth, resulting in a partnership that benefits the Brookside community.
Brookside is proud to offer:
- Parent Teacher Community Council
- Community-based Mentoring
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Services for PK through 5th grade students
- A partnership with the Kroc Center that includes:
- Fine Arts and Movement Education
- Swim Lessons
- A Brookside Community Garden Plot
- A partnership with Groundswell, LGROW, Plaster Creek Stewards, and EGLE, resulting in a student-cultivated rain garden
- Recipients of the Green Schoolyard Grant, resulting in the addition of natural play structures and an outdoor classroom
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.
Our newly modernized building is a hidden gem on the west side of Grand Rapids featuring updated entrances, classrooms, air conditioning, and an athletic wing, surrounded by sprawling green space for outdoor education and athletics.
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
16 Oct
-
Cherry Health Mobile Vision 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCherry Health Mobile VisionDate: Oct 16Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
Conference 3:30 PM to 8:00 PMConferenceDate: Oct 16Time: 3:30 PM to 8:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
Strive for Less than Five Days Absent in the Southeast! 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMStrive for Less than Five Days Absent in the Southeast!Date: Oct 16Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: Alger Middle School, 921 Alger St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
17 Oct
-
Cherry Health Mobile Vision 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCherry Health Mobile VisionDate: Oct 17Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
-
20 Oct
-
No School | No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Oct 20Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
Cherry Health Mobile Vision 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCherry Health Mobile VisionDate: Oct 20Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
-
21 Oct
-
Cherry Health Mobile Vision 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCherry Health Mobile VisionDate: Oct 21Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
Conferences 3:30 PM to 8:00 PMConferencesDate: Oct 21Time: 3:30 PM to 8:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
-
22 Oct
-
Cherry Health Mobile Vision 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCherry Health Mobile VisionDate: Oct 22Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
-
23 Oct
-
Cherry Health Mobile Vision 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCherry Health Mobile VisionDate: Oct 23Time: 8:30 AM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Brookside Calendar
-
![]() ![]() |
|||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | |||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
5 |
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11 | |||||||||||||||
12 |
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18 | |||||||||||||||
19 |
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24 | 25 | |||||||||||||||
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
31
|

The Ottawa Hills High School girls’ swim team made waves this past weekend, capturing first place at their home invitational.

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

The Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and the Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA) are using the services of a state-appointed mediator.