Westwood 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 Westwood Middle School

Welcome and thank you for choosing GRPS and Westwood Middle School.  The Westwood Middle School staff is dedicated to serving your child both academically and with their social/emotional needs.  The development and growth of our young people is important to us.  Equally significant is that your child, our scholar, understands and pays attention to their physical, mental, and emotional health as all three impact their daily life. We are excited to offer our experiences and expertise in guiding Westwood Middle School students to preparation and success in their next level of learning. 

If you would like more information about Westwood Middle School, please call us at 616-819-3322.

Mackenzie Ritsema
Interim Principal

School Apps

Westwood Middle School

1525 Mount Mercy Dr. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: 616-819-3322
Mackenzie Ritsema
Interim Principal
Damion Gregory
Kent School Services Network (KSSN) 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. 

KSSN

We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator

They say "the West Side is the best side" for a reason! 

What makes Westwood unique? With an incredibly diverse student body that represents multiple cultures and languages, Westwood Middle School is a proud Cultural Center. We provide language supports for students who are learning English, and we acknowledge and celebrate our scholars' backgrounds through cultural lessons and family nights. We also proudly offer one of the only STEM programs in the region, giving our scholars an opportunity to learn computer programming, robotics, design theory, and more in our hands-on STEM labs. This gives our middle schoolers access to a whole new world. 

Students at Westwood participate in a number of programs in and out of the classroom. Our highly trained teachers bring learning to life through hands-on projects, field trips, outdoor learning activities, and more. We also offer Advisory to all of our scholars--a class specifically designed to teach students the academic and social-emotional skills they will need to be successful in high school and beyond. For enrichment, we offer after-school tutoring, middle school athletics, and a variety of student-led clubs. There's something for everyone at Westwood. 

At Westwood, we also love to engage with our community. Each year, Westwood scholars and their caregivers participate in the following events:

  • fall and spring conferences
  • Feeding America food truck deliveries
  • monthly family nights
  • Fall Carnival
  • Winter Fest
  • Honor Roll and Dean's List celebrations
  • 8th grade promotion
  • events with our community partners 

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.