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
Jennifer Williams

Congress 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
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)
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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9 Junthru Jun 11
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Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific FestivalDate: Jun 9 - Jun 11Location: City of Grand Rapids, City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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18 Aug
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Enrollment Support 9:00 AM to 3:30 PMEnrollment SupportDate: Aug 18Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PMLocation: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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21 Aug
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Enrollment Support 9:00 AM to 3:30 PMEnrollment SupportDate: Aug 21Time: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PMLocation: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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22 Aug
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First Day of 2023-2023 School Year for ScholarsDate: Aug 22Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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1 Sep
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No School; No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Sep 1Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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4 Sep
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No School; No LOOP Programming - Labor DayDate: Sep 4Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 Nov
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No School; No LOOP Programming - Thanksgiving BreakDate: Nov 23Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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24 Nov
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No School; No LOOP Programming - Thanksgiving BreakDate: Nov 24Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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25 Decthru Jan 5
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No School; No LOOP Programming - Winter BreakDate: Dec 25 - Jan 5Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Construction teams are updating technology within the building, replacing lighting, updating the building's HVAC system, replacing windows and carpet, among other technological and structural improvements.

My ask is serious but simple: If you have guns in your home, please lock them up.