Welcome to Grand Rapids Montessori Academy (PK-6)

Welcome and thank you for choosing GRPS and Grand Rapids Montessori Academy. It is my honor and privilege to serve as the principal of Grand Rapids Montessori (GRM). We serve students in preschool through grade 12, embracing the Montessori philosophy at all grade levels. The mission of GRM is to provide an exceptional education through a nurturing and inspiring environment that strengthens each child's intellectual and emotional gifts, leading to responsible, compassionate lifelong learners. 

At GRM, we value a thoughtful and well-prepared learning environment that is both purposeful and peaceful. Your scholar will be given the tools to learn, grow, and thrive within the classroom and in our community. If you would like more information about Grand Rapids Montessori Academy, please call us at 616-819-2405.

Principal
Kerri Reed

School Apps

Grand Rapids Montessori Academy

159 College Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-819-2405
Kerri Reed
Principal
Christy Price
Assistant Principal
Theron Brown
Dean of Scholars
Randi Butkus
Head Secretary
Matthew Beresford
Executive Director PK-12 Instructional Leadership (Northeast)

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. 

At Grand Rapids Montessori Academy, we embrace the motto of G.R.A.C.E.: Growth, Responsibility, Acceptance, Courtesy, Empathy

Dr. Maria Montessori, the Italian pediatrician who founded the Montessori method, believed self-motivation was the key to learning. The Montessori teacher acts as a facilitator of that learning, stimulating interest in all facets of a child-centered learning environment. Montessori education recognizes the importance of all developmental areas, including social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs. At Grand Rapids Montessori, we work hard to support scholars’ development in each of those areas. 
 

The Montessori Classroom

The Montessori method uses hands-on lessons and experiences to help scholars learn by doing. Scholars learn in cohorts of three age levels. Typically, scholars will have the same teacher for multiple years. The multi-age classroom allows the scholars to become part of a learning community that fosters respect, understanding, and tolerance where your child will:

  • receive lessons as he/she/they are ready for them
  • learn how to focus and concentrate
  • become a self-directed learner
  • achieve independence
  • learn order
  • be treated with respect and dignity
     

Our Children’s House is a multi-age classroom that aims to help children gain independence, confidence, curiosity, and problem solving abilities. The Montessori lessons and hands-on materials provide children with activities that help them grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Elementary 1 scholars engage in a wide range of tasks, including learning to read, studying spelling patterns and word derivations, exploring advanced math concepts, and discerning number and spatial relationships with hands-on materials. They also learn to use a daily/weekly work plan, which outlines assignments, academic goals, and work choices. Elementary 1 scholars are inspired by their older classmates’ more challenging work. 

Elementary 2 is a safe place where scholars find their voice and become more independent in asking questions and meeting their needs. They continue to learn to use a daily/weekly work plan, and they participate in rigorous lessons and activities that develop their literacy and mathematical skills. 

The biggest part of renovation at historic Grand Rapids Montessori Academy involves replacing the old heating system and providing a new cooling and ventilation system. During the project, we are also adding new flooring throughout the building, some painting updates, pavement repair, new electric and gas service and some upgrades to playground equipment.


Publish Date: January 11, 2024

The project is substantially complete and under the one-year guarantee period. The manufacturer is working through some controlling issues that were identified during the commissioning of the full HVAC system. 


Publish Date: November 17, 2023

The HVAC system is fully installed and the commissioning is ongoing with anticipated completion by December 1.


Publish Date: November 3, 2023

The HVAC system is functional, and the control work is ongoing. The commissioning work for the HVAC system will start in mid-November, and the anticipated completion date for the project is November 30. The playground and exterior work are ongoing with an anticipated completion date of November 17.


Publish Date: October 13, 2023

The HVAC scope throughout the school is complete with a startup dates for the systems on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17.. The punch list work will continue until the end of October. The added exterior repairs scope for the playground, sidewalks, and stairs is being finalized and will be scheduled to be done by mid-November. This photo highlights the work on the fresh gym floor!

 


Publish Date: September 29, 2023

The mechanical scope is complete throughout the school except for the gym and library. The remaining scope is anticipated to be completed by mid-October with a substantial completion date of Oct. 27.


Publish Date: September 15, 2023

Over the past couple of weeks, the mechanical, electrical, controls work continued during second shift in the attic spaces, library, and on the roof to connect the new mechanical units. While the interior finishes work continued inside the building as well. The anticipated completion date for the project is October 27, 2023.

  • 14 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop at Southwest Middle High
      Date: Jan 14
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingue, 327 Rumsey St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish.
  • 16 Jan
  • 20 Jan
  • 22 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop - Union High School (Union scholars only)
      Date: Jan 22
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish, Kinyarwanda and Swahili.
  • 23 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop - Innovation Central High School
      Date: Jan 23
      Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Innovation Central High School - Grand Rapids Public Schools, 421 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 4
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish & Kinyarwanda.
  • 29 Jan
    • GRPS School Choice Expo 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
      GRPS School Choice Expo
      Date: Jan 29
      Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
      Location: GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 30 Jan
    • FAFSA Workshop - Grand Rapids Public Museum High School
      Date: Jan 30
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Grand Rapids Public Schools Museum High School, 54 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish.
  • 4 Feb
    • FAFSA Workshop - CA Frost Middle High School
      Date: Feb 4
      Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: CA Frost Science Academy High School, 1417 Covell Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Zoo School to return to normal operations on Thursday

Zoo School will return to holding classes as usual on Thursday, January 9.

Principal Profile: GRPS is home for Dan Morse

For Principal Dan Morse of North Park Montessori Academy, Grand Rapids Public Schools isn’t just a workplace - it’s where his roots run deep, and he’s committed to ensuring it feels like home for every scholar.

Westwood Middle School Chefs Bring Smiles and Care to the Cafeteria

Two dedicated chefs at Westwood Middle School, Carolyn Carter and Robin Bieschke, are making a meaningful impact in the lives of scholars every day - not just through the meals they serve, but through the connections they build.