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!

Molly Ali
Principal

School Apps

Coit Creative Arts Academy

617 Coit Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-819-2390
Molly Ali
Principal
Cara Sauber
Head Secretary
Crystal Hill
DHHS Coordinator
Cyle Blitstein
Kent School Services Network (KSSN) Coordinator

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. 

KSSN

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.

Primary Years Programme

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


WZZM 13 On Your Side: Fourth, fifth graders learn to fly airplanes as part of after school program

At Coit Creative Arts Academy, students are learning valuable lessons by learning to fly planes, thanks to an immersive after school program.

SNN: Showing the world how to help wildlife thrive

For the past few years, C.A. Frost Elementary students have been learning all about how to create wildlife habitats at school and in their neighborhood, and now they want to pass that knowledge on to you.

Ottawa Hills, Union Athletes Represent GRPS at State Track and Field Finals

Grand Rapids Public Schools athletes capped off successful seasons by competing against the state's best at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Track and Field State Finals on May 30 in Rockford.