Welcome to Congress Elementary
(PK-5)
Thank you for your interest in Congress Elementary. I am proud to lead such an amazing group of scholars, families, and staff members. We pride ourselves on having a growth mindset. We focus on rigorous academics, social emotional learning, and maintaining positive relationships. We believe all scholars have the potential to reach their academic goals. Partnering with our families and our community reflects our enriching educational experience.
If you would like more information about Congress Elementary, please call our main office at 616-819-2201.
Principal
Jonathan Harper
School Apps
Congress 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
Relationships are at the heart of all we do at Congress Elementary.
Congress is a unique neighborhood school nestled in the East Hills community. Local businesses are within walking distance and have been integral partners and supporters of scholars, staff, and families.
Housed in a historic building, Congress Elementary is celebrated for its inviting school culture and scholar diversity. Congress Elementary is also identified as a Cultural Center. Teachers have been trained and hold English Language (EL) credentials to support best practice teaching. We are a smaller population but provide an enriching educational experience. We offer Art, Music (general music skill building with free violin lessons), P.E., and Spanish.
We place substantial emphasis on teamwork, and we pride ourselves on communicating clearly with families to support our scholars. Working collaboratively with caregivers, we ensure our strategies and lessons address scholars’ scholastic and social-emotional needs simultaneously. At Congress, our scholars are challenged daily because we promote and believe in the power of a growth mindset.
Congress is grateful to have strong caregiver involvement through the Parent Teacher Community Council (PTCC) and collaboration with community organizations throughout our city and state.
As a Congress cub, your child can benefit from the following partnerships and programs:
- Kids Hope USA (academic and social mentoring)
- Trinity Outreach (evening tutoring and science night)
- GROW after-school program, The Salvation Army
- TeachingWorks program, University of Michigan
- High Impact Leadership program, Western Michigan University
- Artists in Residence (AIR) School, Grand Rapids Symphony
- Girls on the Run (GOTR)
- The Language Artist program, Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Jump Jam, Spectrum Health
- GRPS Athletics (including cross county, track & field, basketball, and soccer)
Meet Our Principal
The project at Congress Elementary includes a complete replacement of the old heating system, providing new cooling and ventilation to the building. The project also includes upgrades to interior finishes in the building and new electric and gas service.
Publish Date: January 11, 2024
The project is substantially complete and under the one-year guarantee period.
Publish Date: November 17, 2023
The project is substantially complete, including the exterior paving of the small parking lot. The striping of the parking lot will take place on Monday, November 20.
Publish Date: November 3, 2023
The project is substantially complete; the heating and cooling systems are functional and under the one-year guarantee period. The extra exterior scope of work will be completed by mid-November.
Publish Date: October 13, 2023
The HVAC and interior scope of the project is substantially complete with the additional added exterior project scope anticipated to be complete by mid-November.
Publish Date: September 29, 2023
The project is substantially complete with final punch list items anticipated to be completed by mid-October. The project included replacing the existing heating system and providing a new cooling system.
Publish Date: September 15, 2023
Over the past couple of weeks, the mechanical, electrical, and interior finishes continued on the second floor of the school. The rooftop cooling unit serving the gym was installed and will be operational by 09/22. The anticipated completion date for the project is October 13, 2024.
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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17 May
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17th Annual Maampii E-Onjiijig Anishinaabe Binoojiinyag Children's Pow Wow 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM17th Annual Maampii E-Onjiijig Anishinaabe Binoojiinyag Children's Pow WowDate: May 17Time: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PMLocation: Sibley Elementary School, 943 Sibley St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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19 May
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CA Frost Middle High School Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMCA Frost Middle High School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 19Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Union High School Graduation Ceremony 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMUnion High School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 19Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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20 May
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Last Day of Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)Date: May 20Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Southwest Middle High School Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMSouthwest Middle High School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 20Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Innovation Central High School & Grand Rapids Montessori Graduation Ceremony 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMInnovation Central High School & Grand Rapids Montessori Graduation CeremonyDate: May 20Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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21 May
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Ottawa Hills High School Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMOttawa Hills High School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 21Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Grand Rapids Public Museum High School Graduation Ceremony 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMGrand Rapids Public Museum High School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 21Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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22 May
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Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMGrand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Graduation CeremonyDate: May 22Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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City High Middle School Graduation Ceremony 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMCity High Middle School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 22Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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13 On Your Side: City High Middle junior creates app linking farmers with their community, earning congressional recognition May 1, 2025
Krishna Mano, a junior at City High School, received congressional recognition for "Krishi," an app he created to be an online delivery service for local farmers.
UPREP 6th graders take first place at Esports state championship May 1, 2025
Two Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (UPREP) scholars were crowned state champions at the 2025 Michigan High School Esports Federation state competition.
UPREP scholars sign to play at Kalamazoo College April 30, 2025
Two scholar-athletes from Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (UPREP) are taking their talents to the collegiate level after signing letters of intent to attend Kalamazoo College.
