Burton Elementary Building
GRPS Expo & Information Fair Join us on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at GRPS University and learn more about the region’s largest, most comprehensive selection of school choices offered at GRPS.
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Welcome to Burton Elementary
(PK-5)

Hello, hola, muraho, habari, haye!

Welcome to our Burton Elementary website! We are excited to share the amazing things that are happening within our Burton community. As the principal of Burton Elementary, I am proud of how our scholars, families, staff, and community work together to support our young Redhawks in soaring to new heights academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. Our diverse community works together to guide our scholars to push through to be the best they can be each and every day. 

We offer preschool through 5th grade scholars the opportunity to learn and grow in the classroom and beyond. Our passionate staff work hard to support all of our scholars’ individual and unique needs. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Burton Elementary family, please reach out to us today! We look forward to soaring with you!

Amarena Nelson
Principal

School Apps

Burton Elementary

2133 Buchanan Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Phone: 616-819-2262
Amarena Nelson
Principal
Tracey Mann
Assistant Principal
Christine Hoque
Head Secretary
Aliyah Rivera
Kent School Services Network (KSSN) Coordinator

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. 

KSSN

We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator

Burton Elementary promotes a diverse, respectful community of academic achievement by involving scholars, parents, and community in the learning process.

As one of the district’s cultural centers, we provide bilingual support to English learners. We have dedicated bilingual staff to support our scholars and families.

The staff at Burton Elementary are committed to student success. They go above and beyond to ensure that each scholar's needs are met, that families are involved in their child’s education, and that scholars have a positive experience.

Education is expanded beyond the four walls of our classrooms, and our staff facilitate this exploration with excitement and enthusiasm. Our scholars matter, and not only do we believe in them, but we teach them to believe in themselves.

Burton Elementary was awarded with the Apple Distinguished Schools for Technology in 2019. We believe that an Apple a day is the Burton way.

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.

Burton Elementary Photo Tour


  • 14 Jan
    • Alexander Community Engagement Meeting
      Date: Jan 14
      Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
      Location: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      This meeting will be held in the Auditorium.
    • Alexander Community Engagement Meeting
      Date: Jan 14
      Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      This meeting will be held in the Auditorium.
  • 15 Jan
  • 19 Jan
  • 23 Jan
    • Union Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Jan 23
      Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 26 Jan
    • Union Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Jan 26
      Time: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 28 Jan
    • GRPS Expo & Information Fair
      Date: Jan 28
      Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
      Location: 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

      Join GRPS on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at GRPS University for the annual Expo & Information Fair! With the largest selection of school choices in West Michigan, this is your chance to explore our schools, learn about enrollment, and meet GRPS staff while enjoying free dinner, giveaways, and fun activities.

      Bring the whole family and get ready for the 2026–2027 school year—see you there!

  • 30 Jan
    • Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Jan 30
      Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 10 Feb
    • Ottawa Hills Bengals Girls Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Feb 10
      Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Restore the doors: Facilities team preserves historic auditorium entrances

When the renovated Betty Bloomer Ford Auditorium reopens this year at Innovation Central High School, guests will once again enter through doors that are more than a century old - carefully refurbished by the GRPS facilities team.

Theme School Application Window Now Open

Grand Rapids Public Schools is now accepting theme school applications for the 2026–27 school year.

GRPS Family & Community Engagement – January Updates

Here are some highlights from this month’s Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Newsletter.