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
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. 

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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SNOW DAY! GRPS closed Thursday, Dec. 12

Grand Rapids Public Schools has canceled all classes and activities for Thursday, December 12, because of inclement winter weather.

SNN: Virtual cooking class meets in person for holidays

Our Family & Community Engagement department partnered with Corewell Health Family Kitchen to teach families how to make delicious and nutritious meals.

Principal Profile: ‘I always wanted to go back to my alma mater’

For Julian Ramirez-Torres, Grand Rapids Public Schools didn’t just provide an education - it gave him a home.

For assistance accessing information on our newsletter, please contact us at dickinsonacademy@grps.org.