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
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
Click to see a larger version Skip to end of gallery Skip to start of gallery
-
4 Oct
-
Fall Count DayDate: Oct 4Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
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
-
-
7 Oct
-
Ottawa Hills Girls Swim InvitationalDate: Oct 7Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
10 Oct
-
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
-
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
-
-
13 Oct
-
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
-
-
23 Oct
-
No School; No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Oct 23Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
-
31 Oct
-
Half Day for Scholars; No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Oct 31Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
-
![]() ![]() |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S | M | T | W | T | F | S | |||||
1 | 2 | 3 |
4
|
5 | 6 |
7
|
|||||
8 | 9 |
10
|
11 | 12 |
13
|
14 | |||||
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | |||||
22 |
23
|
24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | |||||
29 | 30 |
31
|

Change is happening at Ottawa Hills High School as community investments are turned over for the benefit of scholars.

A new weight room was unveiled at Ottawa Hills High School, the culmination of efforts from community partners and donors.

As Zoo School turns 50, volunteers are planning an open-house style event with a taco dinner, music, games and more to highlight the commitment to excellence in education offered by Grand Rapids Public Schools.