Welcome to Dickinson Academy (PK-8)
I am deeply proud to be the principal of Dickinson Academy Cultural Center. These walls give our students knowledge and represent an incredibly colorful mosaic of traditions, languages, and worldviews that add so much value to our education.
Our classrooms resonate with a mix of multiculturalism as each student speaks one of 12 different languages. The languages spoken further demonstrate the distinctiveness and uniqueness of our school community. Our diversity is more than mere statistics; it defines our very being.
Our staff, hailing from various backgrounds and possessing diverse skills, are the backbone of our school. We are a united front, always vigilant to ensure that every student is seen, heard, and respected, fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.
“We are Stronger and Better Together.”
Principal
Cindy Rivera Madera

Dickinson Academy
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
We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator
At Dickinson Academy, we foster a supportive environment where everyone develops into confident, resourceful, and responsible members of our school, neighborhood, and global community.
Dickinson Academy strives to build a nurturing, cohesive, and student-focused community by facilitating meaningful interactions inside and outside the classroom. Our dedication to intentional and relevant teaching ensures that every student can excel academically and socially.
We value strong collaborations between our school, families, and the broader community. To support this, we collaborate closely with the Kent Schools Services Network. As a Cultural Center, we also provide English as a Second Language (ESL) services through our experienced, bilingual staff.
Meet Our Principal
Dickinson Academy Points of Pride
- School Assemblies
- Scholar leadership groups
- Field trips and experiential learning opportunities
- Cultural recognitions and celebrations
- Spirit and Inclusion Weeks
- Family and Academic Nights
- STEM Greenhouse programming
- After school tutoring programs
- Social Emotional Learning
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.
Dickinson Academy was built in 2008 and is designed for academic excellence. Special features include hallway design that encourages group learning to acoustic engineering that makes it easier to hear teachers in the classroom. It is located in Southeast Grand Rapids.
Dickinson Academy Photo Tour
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26 May
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No School | No LOOP Programming | Memorial DayDate: May 26Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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28 May
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Grand Rapids Learning Center Graduation Ceremony 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMGrand Rapids Learning Center Graduation CeremonyDate: May 28Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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3 Junthru Jun 5
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Half Day for Scholars | Exams (am); No School (pm)Date: Jun 3 - Jun 5Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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5 Jun
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LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SCHOLARSDate: Jun 5Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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18 Aug
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First Day of 2025-2026 School YearDate: Aug 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Each week at City High Middle School this year, about two dozen high schoolers gathered to celebrate and learn about Black culture, from music and cooking to history and current issues.

Emry Herring will spend the summer at the XQ Institute in Oakland, California, continuing a journey that started inside the classrooms of Grand Rapids Public Museum High School.

Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingüe seniors started their graduation day by returning to the place many of them started their education, Southwest Elementary School Academia Bilingüe.
For assistance accessing information on our newsletter, please contact us at dickinsonacademy@grps.org.