Welcome to Gerald R. Ford Academic Center (PK-8)
As the principal of Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, I take pride in offering all scholars a college-focused culture where they will be taught to embrace the idea that college is important. Our Ford family will prepare your scholar for this goal by helping them build habits of excellent scholarship and leadership.
We welcome new families to visit us and take a tour to see us in action to determine if our school is the right fit for your family.
Gerald R. Ford Academic Center
School Hours
Breakfast 8:50 a.m.
Start Time 9:10 a.m.
Dismissal 4:08 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 12:20 p.m.
School Transparency

We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator
At the Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, we believe that an effective school does so much more than cover traditional curriculum. We teach our scholars to become initiators, seekers, and builders.
Our mission is to develop the intellectual habits of mind, character traits, and perseverance needed to achieve career and college readiness; to develop personal integrity and success; and to lead and serve the common good of our local and global communities.
Our vision at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center is to prepare all scholars to become independent learners who possess the desire, skills, and abilities needed for lifelong learning. At our school we ensure that all of our preschool through 8th grade scholars are actively involved in productive tasks that combine and extend their skills. Our school offers opportunities for scholars to participate in projects during Spanish class and show off their skills playing the violin in music class.
Our mission and vision are achieved by creating goals around a safe learning environment that are centered on scholars, directed by teachers, and supported by home and community.
Consider Gerald R. Ford Academic Center for your scholar if:
- You are seeking highly qualified and dedicated teachers who believe in your child's potential to learn and achieve.
- You want your child to learn in a college-going culture of high expectations.
- You want your child to learn in small classes that foster civic community leadership, develop character and integrity, and participate in service-learning projects.
- You value the stability and consistency of a preschool to grade 8 community.
- You want a Spanish language requirement.
- You are willing to sign a contract and fulfill parent/guardian expectations.
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.
Gerald R. Ford Academic Center Photo Tour
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17 Decthru Dec 19
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Half-Day for Scholars | No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Dec 17 - Dec 19Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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22 Decthru Jan 2
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No School | No LOOP Programming | Winter BreakDate: Dec 22 - Jan 2Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 Dec
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Ottawa Hills vs. Union Varsity Basketball at Van Andel Arena 5:00 PM to 9:00 PMOttawa Hills vs. Union Varsity Basketball at Van Andel ArenaDate: Dec 23Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PMLocation: Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District CalendarVarsity Girls - 5:00 pm
Varsity Boys - 7:00 pm
Use this link for tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Varsityboys8
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19 Jan
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No School | No LOOP Programming | Martin Luther King, Jr. DayDate: Jan 19Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 Jan
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Union Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth Night 4:00 PM to 8:30 PMUnion Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth NightDate: Jan 23Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PMLocation: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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26 Jan
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Union Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth Night 4:30 PM to 7:30 PMUnion Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth NightDate: Jan 26Time: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PMLocation: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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30 Jan
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Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth Night 4:00 PM to 8:30 PMOttawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth NightDate: Jan 30Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PMLocation: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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10 Feb
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Ottawa Hills Bengals Girls Basketball Youth Night 4:00 PM to 8:30 PMOttawa Hills Bengals Girls Basketball Youth NightDate: Feb 10Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PMLocation: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Get your tickets: Ottawa Hills vs. Union hoops at Van Andel Arena December 10, 2025
The crosstown rivalry heats up as the Ottawa Hills and Union High School boys and girls basketball teams face off at Van Andel Arena on Tuesday, December 23.
Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Swim & Dive: Resilience, Leadership, and Determination December 10, 2025
The water at Ottawa Hills High School seems to hold stories—of athletes who grew up in these lanes and of teams built on unity and grit.
From First Strokes to Fast Times: Inside Union Boys Swim & Dive December 9, 2025
The boys swim and dive program at Union is starting the season with something stronger than speed: a purpose that stretches far beyond the pool deck.







