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

School Apps

Dickinson Academy

448 Dickinson St. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Phone: 616-819-2505

Fax: 616-819-2502

Cindy Rivera Madera

Principal

Thomas James

Dean of Scholars

Maria Mateo

Head Secretary

Bridget Cheney

Executive Director PK-12 Instructional Leadership (Southeast)

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

Annual Reports More...

School Safety Drills Reports More...

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.

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

Meet Our Principal

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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Events

18 Sep
- Bengals vs. Redhawks Middle School Football Game (Houseman Field)
  
  Bengals vs. Redhawks Middle School Football Game (Houseman Field)
  
  Date: Sep 18
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
2 Oct
- Fall Count Day
  
  Fall Count Day
  
  Date: Oct 2
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
5 Oct
- GRPS Middle School Volleyball Invitational (City High Middle School)
  
  GRPS Middle School Volleyball Invitational (City High Middle School)
  
  Date: Oct 5
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
15 Oct
- MHSAA Middle School Cross Country Regional Meet (GRPS University)
  
  MHSAA Middle School Cross Country Regional Meet (GRPS University)
  
  Date: Oct 15
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
18 Oct
- End of 1st Marking Period
  
  End of 1st Marking Period
  
  Date: Oct 18
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
19 Oct
- West Michigan Middle School Cross Country Championship (GRPS University)
  
  West Michigan Middle School Cross Country Championship (GRPS University)
  
  Date: Oct 19
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
21 Oct
- No School; No LOOP Programming
  
  No School; No LOOP Programming
  
  Date: Oct 21
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
22 Oct
- Beginning of 2nd Marking Period
  
  Beginning of 2nd Marking Period
  
  Date: Oct 22
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
31 Oct
- Half Day for Scholars; No LOOP Programming
  
  Half Day for Scholars; No LOOP Programming
  
  Date: Oct 31
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
5 Nov
- No School; No LOOP Programming | Election Day
  
  No School; No LOOP Programming | Election Day
  
  Date: Nov 5
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

View School Calendar

‹ September 2024 ›

Sep 2

No School; No LOOP Programming | Labor Day

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Sep 9

First Day of Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Sep 18

Bengals vs. Redhawks Middle School Football Game (Houseman Field)

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

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'Reimagine' Vlog: Teacher Innovation Fund now open September 13, 2024

In this latest ‘Reimagine’ Vlog, Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby is joined by GRPS Foundation President and CEO Stephanie Andrews.