City High Building
GRPS Expo & Information Fair Join us on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at GRPS University and learn more about the region’s largest, most comprehensive selection of school choices offered at GRPS.
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Welcome to City High Middle School (7-12)

Thanks for your interest in City High Middle School, a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School! As an International Baccalaureate school, we offer the full Middle Years and Diploma Programmes to ALL scholars at NO COST to families, and we have an excellent legacy of college/university preparation amidst a positive and scholar-centered school climate. We prepare scholars in grades 7-12 to be well-rounded, critical thinkers through challenging advanced academics. 

City is continually one of the top-ranked schools in the state of Michigan and the nation! Our graduates regularly come back to tell us they are often the most prepared scholars in their college and university courses and that City gave them the skills needed to find success in their higher education journey. We hope you’ll consider City as a top choice for the middle and high school experience for your family! Please arrange a scholar-led tour of the school by calling our Counseling Office at 616-819-2383. Thank you!

Charlotte Vandervliet
Principal

School Apps

City High Middle School

1720 Plainfield Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Phone: 616-819-2380
Charlotte Vandervliet
Principal
Christie Modzeleski
Assistant Principal
Jesse Antuma
IB Coordinator

School Hours

Breakfast 7:45 a.m.
Start Time 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal 2:43 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 10:45 a.m. 

City High Middle School stands apart in the world of secondary school options through a unique combination of elements that include a challenging academic program, positive culture and climate, and a diverse scholar body. 

A 2019 National Blue Ribbon School, City offers the comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) program to all scholars at no cost to our families! Scholars in grades 7-10 follow the IB Middle Years Programme, while scholars in grades 11 and 12 complete the IB Diploma Programme. The goal of both programmes is to develop life-long learners who are naturally curious, seek knowledge, think about complex issues, and communicate confidently and creatively. Through the IB programmes, scholars are well prepared for post-secondary education.

City strives to meet the varying needs of every scholar through a scholar-centered educational experience that is focused on acceptance, belonging, and scholar engagement. We are a diverse and open-minded school community where all scholars are safe to be themselves, no matter their interests or preferences. Whether you are a passionate artist, athlete, activist, academic, or all of the above, there is a place for you here!

City has a long-standing legacy of high academic standards coupled with a positive school climate that has resulted in our school community earning top rankings across our region, state, and nation. Through our challenging academic offerings and rich cultural elements, the mission at City is to shape our scholars into well-educated and active members of an ever-changing global society.

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.

  • 19 Jan
  • 23 Jan
    • Union Redhawks Boys Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Jan 23
      Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 26 Jan
    • Union Redhawks Girls Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Jan 26
      Time: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 28 Jan
    • Orchestra-Covenant Fine Arts Center Auditorium
      Date: Jan 28
      Time: 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
      Location: Covenant Fine Arts Center, 1795 Knollcrest Circle Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
      Calendar: City Calendar
    • GRPS Expo & Information Fair
      Date: Jan 28
      Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
      Location: 1400 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

      Join GRPS on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at GRPS University for the annual Expo & Information Fair! With the largest selection of school choices in West Michigan, this is your chance to explore our schools, learn about enrollment, and meet GRPS staff while enjoying free dinner, giveaways, and fun activities.

      Bring the whole family and get ready for the 2026–2027 school year—see you there!

  • 30 Jan
    • CFE- Griff's Icehouse 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
      CFE- Griff's Icehouse
      Date: Jan 30
      Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
      Location: Griff's Icehouse at Belknap Park, 30 Coldbrook St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: City Calendar
    • Ottawa Hills Bengals Boys Basketball Youth Night
      Date: Jan 30
      Time: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 3 Feb
    • Band Concert 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Band Concert
      Date: Feb 3
      Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Calendar: City Calendar
  • 5 Feb
    • City Tours 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
      City Tours
      Date: Feb 5
      Time: 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
      Location: Media Center
      Calendar: City Calendar
  • 9 Feb
    • Teaching Staff PLC Mtg 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
      Teaching Staff PLC Mtg
      Date: Feb 9
      Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
      Calendar: City Calendar
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Reimagine Alexander & Stocking: Community meetings held, online feedback form open

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Redhawks Boys Basketball Showing Major Turnaround This Season

The Union Redhawks varsity boys basketball team continues its resurgence this season, already surpassing its combined win total from the previous two years with more than half of the schedule still remaining.