Welcome to Brookside Elementary (PK-5)
Welcome and thank you for choosing GRPS and Brookside Elementary. It is my honor and privilege to serve as the principal of Brookside. Our staff is dedicated to helping each child reach their fullest potential in a nurturing and equitable environment that celebrates and honors the diverse races and cultures of our scholars, families, and staff. We are fortunate to have an outdoor classroom and an amazing green space that includes Plaster Creek, allowing our students and staff to explore more learning outside.
If you would like more information about Brookside Elementary, please call us at 616-819-2242.
Interim Principal
Benjamin Garlets

Brookside Elementary
School Hours
Breakfast 8:10 a.m.
Start Time 8:30 a.m.
Dismissal 3:26 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.
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5 Dec
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback Session 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback SessionDate: Dec 5Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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6 Dec
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback Session (Virtual) 12:30 PM to 2:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback Session (Virtual)Date: Dec 6Time: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District CalendarJoin at live.grps.org
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback Session 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback SessionDate: Dec 6Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Burton Elementary, 2133 Buchanan Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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7 Dec
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback Session 1:30 PM to 3:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback SessionDate: Dec 7Time: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PMLocation: Grand Rapids Public School, 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback Session 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback SessionDate: Dec 7Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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9 Dec
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Ottawa Hills City Sprints Swim InvitationalDate: Dec 9Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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12 Dec
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GRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) Meeting 9:30 AM to 11:00 AMGRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) MeetingDate: Dec 12Time: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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GRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) Meeting 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMGRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) MeetingDate: Dec 12Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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18 Dec
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No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Dec 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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19 Dec
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No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Dec 19Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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A quintet of GRPS students from Harrison Park Academy and CA Frost Environmental Science Academy participated in the Middle School Honor Band at Western Michigan University in mid-November.

This week’s ‘Reimagine’ vlog focuses on the intense community engagement efforts underway ahead of the Board vote in December.

Grand Rapids Public Schools leaders have shared recommended changes to the Board of Education regarding the use of the school district’s buildings in the years to come and the use of the $305 million bond overwhelmingly passed by voters in the November election.