Welcome to Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingüe (7-12)

Welcome to Southwest Middle High School! Southwest Middle High School is a great place to learn because we not only offer a rigorous, dual language immersion curriculum, but because we are family. Our scholars attend grades 7-12 in the same building, which allows them to build a great sense of community and support.  By the time our scholars graduate, they will have had the opportunity to learn from almost every one of our great teachers and build strong and healthy student-teacher relationships. 

We offer several support systems for academic and social emotional learning as well as several extracurricular opportunities. These include studying at the VanAndel Institute of Research, West Michigan Construction, and Kent Career Technical Center; taking AP classes; and participating in dual enrollment college courses.  Our scholars also have the opportunity to use their voice in an active student council and multiple club options.  If you would like to know more or schedule a visit, please call the school office at 616-819-3220. We can't wait to meet you.

Principal
Julian Ramirez Torres

School Apps

Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingüe

327 Rumsey Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-819-3220
Julian Ramirez Torres
Principal
Scott Rusticus
Assistant Principal
Jose Marquez Guzman
Dean of Scholars
Amelia Garcia
Head Secretary
Flor Suarez
Attendance Secretary
Dr. Mayda Bahamonde-Gunnell
Executive Director PK-12 Instructional Leadership (Southwest)

School Hours

Breakfast 8:35 a.m.
Start Time 9:00 a.m.
Dismissal 3:48 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:45 a.m. 

Southwest Middle High School is a dynamic, close-knit community of scholars, teachers, and administrators committed to a rigorous dual immersion learning environment that  challenges our scholars to become successful 21st century critical thinkers, community advocates, and positive examples of their generation.

Research shows that people who are bilingual and bicultural are positioned well for a successful future. They often have more opportunities at the college level and in the workplace, perform better on standardized tests, and are more competitive in an increasingly global economy. Our scholars’ accomplishments are a testimony to the dual immersion model’s effectiveness. By providing instruction in both Spanish and English, our scholars continually grow as biliterate readers and writers. In fact, each year we have scholars capable of earning the coveted Seal of Biliteracy award through the State of Michigan because of their strong biliteracy skills!

Our scholars' success is supported by a caring staff with a deep knowledge of immersion pedagogy and a passion for teaching. Our administration and staff are committed to preserving a positive school environment built on a foundation of respect, compassion, and caring for each other. Our staff eagerly participates in on-going culturally responsive teaching and inclusiveness trainings to better serve our diverse school community. At Southwest, we believe the academic rigor and expectations in an urban setting should also be tied to the conviction that all scholars have the potential to develop, learn and succeed--regardless of ethnicity and cultural background.

Families are actively involved in free-of-charge programs offered by our community partners. We provide an opportunity for caregivers to socialize with other caregivers and to benefit from activities of their interest. At Southwest, our scholars' families are our families. 

Additional opportunities at Southwest Middle High School include:

  • dual enrollment classes at a local college
  • Advanced Placement courses
  • learning opportunities through Van Andel Institute and Kent Career Technical Center
  • fine arts and music programming
  • middle school and high school athletics

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.

Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingüe Photo Tour


  • 12 Feb
    • Winter Count Day
      Date: Feb 12
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
    • FAFSA Workshop - Union High School (Union scholars only)
      Date: Feb 12
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Union High School, 1800 Tremont Blvd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish, Kinyarwanda and Swahili.
  • 18 Feb
    • FAFSA Workshop - Paul I. Phillips Boys & Girls Club
      Date: Feb 18
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Paul I. Phillips Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, 726 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 20 Feb
    • FAFSA Workshop - Ottawa Hills High School
      Date: Feb 20
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 24 Feb
    thru Feb 25
  • 27 Feb
    • FAFSA Workshop - CA Frost Middle High School
      Date: Feb 27
      Time: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
      Location: CA Frost Science Academy High School, 1417 Covell Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 5 Mar
    • FAFSA Workshop - Southwest Middle High
      Date: Mar 5
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingue, 327 Rumsey St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish.
  • 14 Mar
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MLK Jr. Social Justice Contest winners celebrated, entries on display

Three Grand Rapids Public Schools scholars were announced as winners of the 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Legacy Contest.

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The Grand Rapids Board of Education approved the following statement during its regular board meeting on Feb. 10, 2025.

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