Welcome to Coit Creative Arts Academy (PK-5)
My name is Molly Ali, and I am honored to serve as the Interim Principal at Coit Creative Arts Academy. As someone who believes deeply in the power of education, creativity, and community, I am thrilled to lead a school that celebrates the arts while striving for academic excellence.
At Coit, our staff is dedicated to nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—through engaging instruction, meaningful relationships, and the development of the PYP Learner Profile. We are proud to be a place where scholars can explore their unique talents and grow in a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment.
To our prospective scholars and families, we invite you to join our vibrant community! Whether your passion is music, dance, visual arts, theater, or something yet to be discovered, Coit is a place where your creativity will be celebrated and your academic journey supported. We can’t wait to meet you and help you shine!
School Apps
Coit Creative Arts Academy
School Hours
Breakfast 8:50 a.m.
Start Time 9:10 a.m.
Dismissal 4:08 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 12:20 p.m.
School Transparency
We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator
Creative. Original. Imaginative. Thinkers. We are Coit.
Coit Creative Arts Academy offers an inquiry-based curriculum that integrates creative expression, visual arts, music, dance, and movement with academic excellence.
We are proud to be an authorized International Baccalaureate World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP). With a commitment to high-quality, challenging, and inquiry-based education, we continue to promote conceptual understanding and critical thinking as our learners build new knowledge and skills. Our PYP teachers work collaboratively across grade levels and content areas, as well as in partnership with a wide range of arts and university partners, to help our scholars make meaning of the world around them.
With a strong emphasis on social emotional learning via the Learner Profile, our scholars develop agency through voice, choice, and ownership. They confidently communicate using written and spoken word, song, visual arts, and movement. Valuing all voices and experiences, we prepare our scholars to be leaders and global citizens.
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.
Coit Creative Arts Academy is the elementary ARTS school for the Grand Rapids Public Schools located in the Belknap neighborhood on the Northeast side of the city. The original building was built in 1880 and it is the oldest working school in Michigan. In 2002, the building was renovated into an arts school. We have a full art, music and dance studio and a full stage in the gym. Our scholars have created a pollinator garden outside and enjoy two playgrounds, one dedicated to Pre-K and the other shared by all scholars.
Coit Creative Arts Academy Photo Tour
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5 Mar
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2026 LatinX Youth ConferenceDate: Mar 5Location: Grand Rapids Community CollegeCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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3 Aprthru Apr 10
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No School | No LOOP Programming | Spring BreakDate: Apr 3 - Apr 10Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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22 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 22Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 23Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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24 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 24Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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25 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 25Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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26 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 26Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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27 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 27Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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28 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 28Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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29 Apr
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Citywide Art Show - Open To The Public 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMCitywide Art Show - Open To The PublicDate: Apr 29Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PMLocation: Western Michigan University, 200 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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A journey in song: Black History Month performance showcases 400 years of influence March 3, 2026
Scholars at Coit Creative Arts Academy brought four centuries of musical history to life during a powerful Black History Month concert celebrating the depth and influence of Black music.
GRPS Speech season starts strong March 3, 2026
Speech season is off to a roaring start for the GRPS Speech and Debate team.
Mr. Rutledge brings heart to Aberdeen Academy March 2, 2026
In his fourth-grade classroom at Aberdeen Academy, Riley Rutledge is driven by the moments when learning clicks.
