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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23 Sep
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Ottawa Hills Volleyball TournamentDate: Sep 23Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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26 Sep
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Voter Informational Session 5:30 PM to 6:30 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Voter Informational SessionDate: Sep 26Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PMLocation: GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USACalendar: GRPS District CalendarThis meeting will be held in person at GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Avenue NE.
A virtual option is also available.
Please register to attend using this registration link:
https://forms.gle/RtfrSQXbp3s5Nr3Z7
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28 Sep
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Kensington School Farewell 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMKensington School FarewellDate: Sep 28Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: 1031 Kensington Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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4 Oct
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Fall Count DayDate: Oct 4Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Dean Transportation Update & Parent Feedback | Suggestions 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMDean Transportation Update & Parent Feedback | SuggestionsDate: Oct 4Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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7 Oct
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Ottawa Hills Girls Swim InvitationalDate: Oct 7Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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10 Oct
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GRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) Meeting 9:30 AM to 11:00 AMGRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) MeetingDate: Oct 10Time: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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GRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) Meeting 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMGRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) MeetingDate: Oct 10Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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13 Oct
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Ottawa Hills Homecoming Football Game 7:00 PM to 10:00 PMOttawa Hills Homecoming Football GameDate: Oct 13Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 Oct
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No School; No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Oct 23Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Pastor’s daughter and former GRPS student persevered to earn two degrees and a lifetime of experience to share with her scholars.

Attendance is important and counts every single day...but on Wednesday, October 4, it counts for a percentage of your school’s funding.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools has identified the operations team member who died following an accident on the job Tuesday afternoon.