Welcome to Grand Rapids Public Museum High School (9-12)
Welcome to the Grand Rapids Public Museum High School! Formed in partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, and Grand Valley State University College of Education, our unique learning approach focuses on community-based projects incorporating design thinking and place-based education. Everything we do is geared toward empowering scholars to become leaders and change-makers in their communities.
Scholars at Museum High School enjoy regular access to museum archives, high-tech tools, and numerous downtown community partners. Graduation requirements include proficiency across twelve (12) core competencies and an independent Senior Capstone Project.
Principal
Christopher Hanks, Ph.D.

Grand Rapids Public Museum High School
School Hours
Breakfast 8:00 a.m.
Start Time 8:15 a.m.
Dismissal 2:55 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:25 a.m.
School Transparency
Bringing community to the classroom and the classroom to the community.
Grand Rapids Public Museum High School serves scholars in grades 9 through 12 with programming that combines design thinking, place-based education, and museum methods and environmental learning. Scholars experience integrated content across subject areas and blend classroom activities with community-based experiential projects. Embracing the XQ Institute Learning Goals, we pursue a mission “to inspire, develop, and educate the next generation of confident, creative thinkers, doers and leaders.”
Our Mission:
The mission of Grand Rapids Public Museum School is to use place-bacsed design thinking and the museum context to create learning experiences that develop confident, creative, and competent thinkers, doers, and leaders.
Here, all learners will: master fundamental competencies, improve through iteration, enrich their communities, and understand and pursue their best selves.
Core Competencies: Read Critically; Reason Quantitatively; Learn Independently; Lead Inquiry; Explore Social Phenomena; Communicate Effectively; Collaborate on Teams; Build Community; Design Solutions; Develop Self-Knowledge; Cultivate Well-Being; and Think and Act Globally
True Community Innovation
The Public Museum High School was one of ten schools internationally to receive the XQ Super School grant. This funding has allowed for GRPS and the Museum School to continue to innovate. At Museum School, we are reinventing high school.
Scholars are part of small cohorts that work collaboratively, co-taught by teachers, creating a culture of community of learners. Greater emphasis is placed on community, as the school recognizes downtown as an extension of the classroom, providing scholars the opportunity to further build on place-based learning principles. Housed in the Grand Rapids Public Museum Archives downtown, scholars quickly learn that the community IS their classroom.
Our teachers are dedicated and enthusiastic about our scholar's education. More words....
Meet Our Teachers
Museum High School Photo Tour
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6 Dec
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback Session (Virtual) 12:30 PM to 2:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback Session (Virtual)Date: Dec 6Time: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District CalendarJoin at live.grps.org
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback Session 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback SessionDate: Dec 6Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Burton Elementary, 2133 Buchanan Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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7 Dec
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback Session 1:30 PM to 3:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community Feedback SessionDate: Dec 7Time: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PMLocation: Grand Rapids Public School, 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Reimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback Session 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMReimagine GRPS with Us! Community & Scholar Feedback SessionDate: Dec 7Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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9 Dec
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Ottawa Hills City Sprints Swim InvitationalDate: Dec 9Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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12 Dec
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GRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) Meeting 9:30 AM to 11:00 AMGRPS Parent Action Leaders (PALs) MeetingDate: Dec 12Time: 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: Dec 12Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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18 Dec
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No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Dec 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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A quintet of GRPS students from Harrison Park Academy and CA Frost Environmental Science Academy participated in the Middle School Honor Band at Western Michigan University in mid-November.

This week’s ‘Reimagine’ vlog focuses on the intense community engagement efforts underway ahead of the Board vote in December.