Innovation / Riverside 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 Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central (6-8)

Greetings from Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central! Our teachers are uniquely positioned to serve all of our scholars' needs academically, socially, and emotionally. Our scholars are given the tools to learn, grow, and thrive within the classroom and beyond.  

Our staff is committed to scholar success regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion. Our goal is to ensure that all scholars feel included, valued, supported, and safe. We are committed to educating every child, every day. We hope you join us! 

Erica Patton
Principal

School Apps

Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central

421 Fountain St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-819-2969
Erica Patton
Principal
Jennifer Mitchell
Assistant Principal
Curtis Andrews
Scholar Success Coordinator

School Hours

Breakfast 7:15 a.m.
Start Time 7:40 a.m.
Dismissal 2:23 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 10:25 a.m.

At Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central, scholars, staff, and families work together as valued partners in the shared mission of educating and empowering our children. 

Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central is committed to scholars’ success regardless of race, ethnicity socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation or religion. Riverside’s goal is to ensure that all scholars feel included, valued, supported and safe. Riverside’s diverse population is rich with many cultures and ethnicities. We understand that equitable education and compassion are the cornerstone to any successful institution, and we are committed to bringing that to our scholars and community every day. Riverside’s teachers are highly qualified and go above and beyond to ensure that all students receive an equitable education and the social skills to be successful both in and away from school.  

Riverside Middle School at Innovation Central believes in establishing strong partnership between scholars, parents, and community. We believe in creating an environment of high expectations, caring, respect, open communication, diversity of ideas, trust, and collaboration. Our parents are the primary educators of their child and that we partner with parents in helping scholars take ownership of their education and develop a positive outlook of their future.

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.

  • 14 Jan
    • Alexander Community Engagement Meeting
      Date: Jan 14
      Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
      Location: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      This meeting will be held in the Auditorium.
    • Alexander Community Engagement Meeting
      Date: Jan 14
      Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: 1331 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      This meeting will be held in the Auditorium.
  • 15 Jan
  • 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
    • 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!

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Highlights from the Crosstown Classic at Van Andel Arena

The Ottawa Hills Bengals and Union Redhawks faced off in two thrilling, hard-fought games, with the community showing up in full force to cheer them on at Van Andel Arena.

Union High School’s Unified Program Builds Community Through Inclusion

Thanks to its thriving Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Program, Union High School has been cultivating a culture where every scholar feels like they belong.

SNN: Looking for social connection? These students have ideas

Students at Southwest Middle High School – Academia Bilingüe have come up with new ways to improve social connections and inspire belonging at their school for the 2025-2026 West Michigan Design Prize.