Welcome to Blandford School (6)
Welcome and thank you for choosing GRPS and Blandford School. It is my honor and privilege to serve as the Principal of Blandford. Our staff is dedicated to helping each child reach their fullest potential and become independent, self-driven learners. We are fortunate to have Blandford Nature Center in our backyard which invites our scholars and staff to explore learning and use nature as their classroom.
If you are interested in learning more about the rigor and zeal of Blandford School, please contact us directly at 616-819-2555. We'd be happy to show you around the school!
Principal
Karla Finn

Blandford School
School Hours
Breakfast 7:50 a.m.
Start Time 8:10 a.m.
Dismissal 3:06 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:20 a.m.
School Transparency
At Blandford, nature is your classroom!
Blandford is a 6th grade program that offers outdoor learning experiences and a rigorous curriculum. The school is designed to heighten an awareness of the environment, stimulate creative thinking, develop leadership, promote intellectual growth, and increase self-esteem. Our Blandford staff is committed to fostering your child's potential to learn and achieve through a learning environment that values hands-on, project-based learning experiences. Scholars are provided with exciting challenges and opportunities for a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience that focuses on nature and the great outdoors.
The Blandford "classroom" consists of over 100 acres of ponds, streams, woods, and fields along with a more traditional classroom that supports the outdoor theme. Attracting students from public and non-public schools throughout Grand Rapids, as well as a handful of students from nearby cities, the student body at Blandford is a heterogeneous mixture of ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds.
While we have too many special projects and programs to name them all, a few highlights include:
- chicken adoption
- International Night dinner
- performance of A Christmas Carol
- fall and spring camp
- Wildflower Tea
- BEEP Bizarre
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.
Blandford School is located in a state of the art, LEED certified facility on the Northwest side of Grand Rapids. This building, along with Blandford Nature Center’s 143 acres of ponds, streams, woods, and fields, offers students an unparalleled learning environment. Scholars will enjoy their collaborative learning experience by sharing two classrooms and a large meeting space both indoors and outside in nature.
Blandford School Photo Tour
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30 Mar
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Boater SafetyDate: Mar 30Calendar: Blandford Calendar
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No LOOP ProgrammingDate: Mar 30Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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31 Marthru Apr 7
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No School; No LOOP Programming - Spring BreakDate: Mar 31 - Apr 7Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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7 Apr
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Theme School Application Period Closes (3rd Round)Date: Apr 7Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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8 Apr
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Theme School Application Period Opens (4th Round)Date: Apr 8Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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13 Apr
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Spring Camp - Parent Meeting (no students) 6:00 PM to 7:30 PMSpring Camp - Parent Meeting (no students)Date: Apr 13Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PMCalendar: Blandford CalendarJoin with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ecy-vywu-hbs Or dial: (US) +1 269-783-5054 PIN: 819720084# Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720
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18 Apr
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Froggin Night @ Ball/Perkins Park 8:00 PM to 9:30 PMFroggin Night @ Ball/Perkins ParkDate: Apr 18Time: 8:00 PM to 9:30 PMCalendar: Blandford CalendarMeet at the Berkley Hills Church Parking Lot. Leaving the parking lot at 8 PM to walk to the pond.
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20 Apr
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GRCC Community Fair 6:00 PM to 8:00 PMGRCC Community FairDate: Apr 20Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PMCalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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27 Apr
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BEEP BAZAAR 6:00 PM to 8:00 PMBEEP BAZAARDate: Apr 27Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PMCalendar: Blandford CalendarJoin with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/ryo-rzuk-ice Or dial: (US) +1 413-893-3437 PIN: 190500530# Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720
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5 May
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Wildflower Tea 12:30 PM to 3:00 PMWildflower TeaDate: May 5Time: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PMCalendar: Blandford CalendarJoin with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/mjf-sovv-rdh Or dial: (US) +1 314-666-2514 PIN: 228328411# Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720
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Cornelia Steketee's life was anything but typical. She was a teacher, an author, a social advocate, and, on occasion, a politician.

Scholar-led committees planned events and created decorations during Black History Month at City High Middle School

Back in person for the first time since 2020, the annual event helped scholars consider challenges, choices and changes.