Welcome to Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle School (6-8)
Welcome to the Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle 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 that incorporate 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 the Museum Middle School attend classes within the amazing Grand Rapids Public Museum. They engage with museum staff, exhibits, and programs through hands-on collaborative projects. Interested in learning more? Give us a call!
Principal
Kimberly Rowland

Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle School
School Hours
Breakfast 7:50 a.m.
Start Time 8:10 a.m.
Dismissal 3:07 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:20 a.m.
School Transparency
Bringing community to the classroom and the classroom to the community.
Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle School serves scholars in grades 6 through 8 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
Learners at the Middle School have the unique opportunity to access the programs and exhibits within the Museum. This allows scholars to have a close-up view of the history or science that they are learning in a hands-on way. When our scholars are learning about geography they are able to see items from the various places they are studying not just see the name on a map. When scholars are researching innovation, they are able to access artifacts from the archive that give them a full view of how an item evolved into what they know today. When they are exploring photosynthesis they are working with thought leaders in the community to design systems to grow plants in urban environments, in space or without traditional methods.
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.
Museum Middle School Photo Tour
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22 May
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Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Graduation Ceremony 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMGrand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Graduation CeremonyDate: May 22Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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City High Middle School Graduation Ceremony 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMCity High Middle School Graduation CeremonyDate: May 22Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PMLocation: Houseman Field, 162 Houseman Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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23 May
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Half Day for Scholars | No School (pm)Date: May 23Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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26 May
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No School | No LOOP Programming | Memorial DayDate: May 26Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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28 May
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Grand Rapids Learning Center Graduation Ceremony 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMGrand Rapids Learning Center Graduation CeremonyDate: May 28Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PMLocation: Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USACalendar: GRPS District Calendar
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3 Junthru Jun 5
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Half Day for Scholars | Exams (am); No School (pm)Date: Jun 3 - Jun 5Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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5 Jun
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LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SCHOLARSDate: Jun 5Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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18 Aug
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First Day of 2025-2026 School YearDate: Aug 18Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
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Due to the forecasted weather, Thursday's graduation ceremonies will be held indoors at the Ottawa Hills High School Gymnasium.

Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingüe seniors started their graduation day by returning to the place many of them started their education, Southwest Elementary School Academia Bilingüe.

Celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 by tuning in to live streams of every GRPS graduation ceremony! Friends, families, and community members can watch each event in real time at live.grps.org. Spanish interpretation is available.