Welcome to Dickinson Academy (PK-8)
I take pride in serving as the Principal of Dickinson Academy. It is great to be part of a diverse school community where scholars, teachers, and parents care for each other and strive to build meaningful relationships that support academic and social-emotional growth. Our scholars are supported and empowered to achieve academic success.
We are committed to ensuring all of our Dickinson Academy "Cubs" stay safe, problem solve, become independent learners, and make good choices. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Dickinson Academy community, we welcome new families to visit our school and take a tour!
Principal
Arnaldo Melendez

Dickinson Academy
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
At Dickinson, we support each other in becoming confident, resourceful, and responsible citizens of the school, our neighborhood, and the world.
Dickinson Academy aims to create a caring, harmonious, and scholar-centered community by engaging scholars in meaningful interactions in and out of the classroom. Through purposeful, relevant teaching and learning, we are committed to providing opportunities for all scholars to achieve their personal best academically and socially.
We believe in strong partnerships between our school, caregivers, and the community. Therefore, we proudly offer the Parent Teacher Community Council and work closely with Kent Schools Services Network. As a Cultural Center, we also provide English as a Second Language (ESL) services via our highly skilled, bilingual staff.
Dickinson Academy Points of Pride:
- STEM Green House programming
- Field trips and experiential learning opportunities
- Cultural recognitions and celebrations
- Scholar leadership groups, including scholar council
- Spirit and Inclusion Weeks
- Family and Academic Nights
- After school tutoring
- Social-emotional learning
- Coffee with the principal events
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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30 Mar
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No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Mar 30Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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31 Marthru Apr 7
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No School; No LOOP Programming - Spring BreakDate: Mar 31 - Apr 7Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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7 Apr
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Theme School Application Period Closes (3rd Round)Date: Apr 7Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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8 Apr
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Theme School Application Period Opens (4th Round)Date: Apr 8Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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20 Apr
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GRCC Community Fair 6:00 PM to 8:00 PMGRCC Community FairDate: Apr 20Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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11 May
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Last Day of Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) PreschoolDate: May 11Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Family & Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) Volunteer Celebration 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMFamily & Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) Volunteer CelebrationDate: May 11Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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18 May
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LOOP Collaborative Youth FairDate: May 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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22 May
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City High Middle School Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMCity High Middle School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 22Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MICalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 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 23Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MICalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Cornelia Steketee's life was anything but typical. She was a teacher, an author, a social advocate, and, on occasion, a politician.

Scholar-led committees planned events and created decorations during Black History Month at City High Middle School

Back in person for the first time since 2020, the annual event helped scholars consider challenges, choices and changes.