Welcome to Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
(6-12)
Dear GRUPA Families and Community,
As principal of Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to our page to learn more about who we are. It is our mission to help every child feel welcomed, connected, and a part of the GRUPA family.
At GRUPA we have dedicated staff who believe in creating a family centered environment that is focused on individualized learning plans. We value a strong partnership with parents/guardians, which is why we collaborate with caregivers through advisory, parent/scholar conferences, and our semester exhibitions. We feel it is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents/guardians, staff, scholars, and community partners care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth. Please feel free to contact me at 616-819-1010 for more information. We also encourage new families to set up a tour!
Principal
Kenyatta Hill-Hall

Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
School Hours
Grades 6-7
Breakfast 7:35 a.m.
Start Time 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal 2:42 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 10:45 a.m.
Grades 8-12
Breakfast 7:10 a.m.
Start Time 7:35 a.m.
Dismissal 2:16 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 10:20 a.m.
School Transparency
Our goal is to prepare scholars from college and career!
At Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (GRUPA), we believe that learning extends beyond the brick and mortar of our beautifully designed building. Therefore, the staff is committed to using innovative strategies such as place-based learning, integrated arts, and post-secondary learning experiences to ensure high scholar engagement in the learning process.
Scholars at GRUPA create an individualized learning plan with input from their advisor and caregiver(s). This plan guides their work and is based on the scholar's personal interests, skill level, maturity, and learning style. Scholars participate in interest-based projects in addition to their traditional classwork. With its smaller class sizes and incredibly caring staff, GRUPA is for scholars who value individualized learning and rigorous college and career preparation.
Points of Pride:
- TEEN CEO Program (reverse job shadow, job shadow, internship)
- Kent Career Technical Center
- Peer mentoring
- YMCA, Adventure Point, Kroc Center partnerships for 6th and 7th grade
- 8th grade camp
- leadership opportunities
- SAT preparation
- early college classes
- exhibitions
- college visits
- soft skills development (public speaking, problem solving, time management, etc.)
- art integration
- field trips
- over 90% graduation rates
- over 90% acceptance to post-secondary institutions
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.
GR University Preparatory Academy
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5 Dec
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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 5Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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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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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.

Grand Rapids Public Schools leaders have shared recommended changes to the Board of Education regarding the use of the school district’s buildings in the years to come and the use of the $305 million bond overwhelmingly passed by voters in the November election.