Facility Plan by Building
Aberdeen Academy
For Aberdeen Academy families, PreK-5 scholars would transition to a new elementary school behind the current building starting in the fall of 2027.
Our sixth through eighth-grade scholars would relocate to a new middle school program located within the Innovation Central school building starting in the 2027-28 school year.
Once the new elementary school opens at Aberdeen in 2027, the existing Aberdeen building would be demolished to restore green space to the neighborhood.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1929
- Deferred maintenance: $6.6 million
- Routine maintenance: $185,300 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 51 out of 58
- Utilization: 46%
- Capacity: 552
- Percentage of district capacity: 2%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Building does not have air conditioning.
Alexander
We will gather neighborhood feedback as we imagine what the future of the Alexander site might look like. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
Alger Middle School
This would mean a stronger academic program with new elective choices and better access to fine arts. Scholars would enjoy upgraded space at Ottawa Hills and preparation for the high school experience. This would mirror some of our most successful GRPS programs including City High Middle School and Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy.
The high school and middle school at Ottawa Hills would operate as separate schools with separate entrances while experiencing the benefit of sharing resources for our scholars.
The Alger building would be renovated while empty during the 2025-26 school year to transition to a new elementary school and early childhood center opening in the fall of 2026. It would be the new home for Brookside Elementary scholars.
Renovations would focus on meeting standards for elementary scholars, including adding a new playground.
Renovations to the Alger building will include interior finish upgrades, removing first-floor lockers, adding bathrooms to classrooms, and installing a new playground.
Beckwith
We will gather neighborhood feedback as we imagine what the future of the Beckwith site might look like. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
Blandford School
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Brookside Elementary
For Brookside families the proposed recommendations would mean a new school home for our scholars beginning in the fall of 2026.
The Alger building would be renovated while empty during the 2025-26 school year to transition to a new elementary school and early childhood center opening in the fall of 2026. Renovations would focus on meeting standards for elementary scholars, including adding a new playground.
The district will then gather feedback from the community in determining what would happen next for the Brookside location. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1954
- Deferred maintenance: $6.7 million
- Routine maintenance: $152,800 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 17 out of 58
- Utilization: 65%
- Capacity: 432
- Percentage of district capacity: 1.5%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Program will move to nearby Alger building, ranked 7th in facility condition assessment.
Buchanan Elementary
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Burton Elementary & Middle Schools
There are plans in place to renovate our historic performing arts auditorium and a few other enhancements on our site. As those details come together we will share them with you.
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
CA Frost Environmental Science Middle High School
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Campus Elementary
Center for Economicology
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
César E. Chávez Elementary
We are excited that there are plans for upgrades to our playground as well as flooring replacement within our building. Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
City High Middle School
Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As plans are solidified we will share them with you.
Coit Creative Arts Academy
Minor classroom upgrades would be done in the summer of 2024 ahead of some current East Leonard scholars joining Coit in the fall of 2024.
Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As plans are solidified we will share them with you.
Congress Elementary
Dickinson Academy
Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As plans are solidified we will share them with you.
East Leonard Elementary
For East Leonard scholars, these recommendations would mean a move out of the current school building which is in poor condition and into one of two school buildings that offer a much better space for our scholars. Under these recommendations, our East Leonard scholars would relocate next school year to either Coit Creative Arts Academy or Kent Hills Elementary, whichever is closer to your home.
This change will also allow for more robust programming with teaching teams collaborating and increased program offerings as there will be more scholars in place to take advantage of them.
We would then begin the process of gathering feedback from the community on what would happen with the East Leonard site in the future. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1957
- Deferred maintenance: $4.9 million
- Routine maintenance: $135,900 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 45 out of 58
- Utilization: 51%
- Capacity: 312
- Percentage of district capacity: 1.3%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Nearby GRPS options in better condition: Coit, Kent Hills.
Gerald R. Ford Academic Center
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Grand Rapids Learning Center
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy (Fountain)
A significant renovation and addition will be made to the Riverside building prior to the move to prepare the space for our Montessori programming.
We would then begin the process of gathering feedback from the community on what would happen with the Fountain building in the future. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, GRPS administration space or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1918
- Deferred maintenance: $6 million
- Routine maintenance: $141,700 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 54 out of 58
- Utilization: 68%
- Capacity: 456
- Percentage of district capacity: 1.7%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Program will join other Montessori programs in renovated space at Riverside school site.
Grand Rapids Montessori Middle High
A significant renovation and addition will be made to the Riverside building prior to the move to prepare the space for our Montessori programming.
GRPS University
Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle School
Grand Rapids Public Museum High School
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Harrison Park Academy
Starting in the fall of 2024, some scholars currently attending Stocking Elementary would join our scholars at Harrison Park. In the fall of 2028, some Westwood Middle School scholars would also join Harrison Park.
These changes would allow for more robust programming with teaching teams collaborating and increased program offerings as there will be more scholars in place to take advantage of them.
Renovations at Harrison Park would include upgrades to the heating and cooling systems, cafeteria and playground. Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As plans are solidified we will share them with you.
Houseman Field
Innovation Central High School
A new middle school program would also open at Innovation Central in the fall of 2025, receiving scholars who currently attend Riverside Middle School.
Ken-O-Sha Park Elementary
The proposed recommendations include an exciting, new learning opportunity at the Ken-O-Sha Park campus. Mirroring theme offerings in the northwest part of the district, we would launch a new environmental science program at Ken-O-Sha, allowing students to step outside and learn about the world around them along Plaster Creek.
Our Sherwood Park International Baccalaureate Global Studies program would also relocate to this campus, bringing two world-class programs together in a unique and newly renovated space for growth and learning.
The changes would start in the 2025-26 school year, when Ken-O-Sha scholars relocate to nearby Sherwood Park for one year, allowing for a complete renovation at Ken-O-Sha without impacting learning.
The new Ken-O-Sha campus would reopen in the 2026-27 school year, home to a new environmental science program as well as the International Baccalaureate Global Studies program currently at Sherwood Park.
Kent Hills Elementary
Kent Hills would also be the new home for some scholars who currently attend East Leonard starting in the fall of 2024. Some scholars from Palmer and Aberdeen would also begin attending Kent Hills starting in the fall of 2027.
This change would allow for more robust programming with teaching teams collaborating and increased program offerings as there will be more scholars in place to take advantage of them.
Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Mulick Park Elementary
The renovations would result in a building that is more accessible and for the first time include air conditioning. The current timeline would be to have the renovation work ready for scholars in the fall of 2030.
North Park Montessori
A significant renovation and addition will be made to the Riverside building prior to the move to prepare the space for our Montessori programming.
Once closed in 2026, GRPS will gather neighborhood feedback as we imagine what the future of the North Park site might look like. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1908
- Deferred maintenance: $5.6 million
- Routine maintenance: $174,000 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 40 out of 58
- Utilization: 84%
- Capacity: 456
- Percentage of district capacity: 1.7%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Program will join other Montessori programs in renovated space at Riverside school site.
North Park Early Childhood Center @ Wellerwood
A significant renovation and addition will be made to the Riverside building prior to the move to prepare the space for our Montessori programming.
We would then begin the process of gathering feedback from the community on what would happen with the Wellerwood site in the future. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1959
- Deferred maintenance: $3.9 million
- Routine maintenance: $72,100 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 5 out of 58
- Utilization: 100%
- Capacity: 192
- Percentage of district capacity: 0.8%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Program will join other Montessori programs in renovated space at Riverside school site.
Ottawa Hills High School
Scholars currently attending Alger Middle School would relocate to a new middle school space within Ottawa Hills starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Middle and High Schools would have separate and distinct entrances and spaces, but would be able to share services. This would allow for more music, fine arts, and athletics opportunities for scholars at Ottawa Hills.
The proposed recommendations also include a renovation of the Ottawa Hills auditorium, pool and upgrades to other athletic facilities. Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As plans are solidified we will share them with you.
Palmer Elementary
At that time our scholars would relocate to Kent Hills Elementary or a new elementary school to be built on the Aberdeen site.
We will gather neighborhood feedback as we imagine what the future of the Palmer site might look like. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1954
- Deferred maintenance: $3.7 million
- Routine maintenance: $153,600 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 35 out of 58
- Utilization: 53%
- Capacity: 336
- Percentage of district capacity: 1.4%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Nearby GRPS options in better condition: Kent Hills, new school at Aberdeen.
- Building is landlocked without a parking lot.
Ridgemoor Park Montessori
A building addition would allow for programming at Ridgemoor Park to expand through eighth grade by 2031.
Riverside Middle School
This would mean a stronger academic program with new elective choices and better access to fine arts. Scholars would enjoy upgraded space at Innovation Central and preparation for the high school experience. This would mirror some of our most successful GRPS programs including City High Middle School and Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy.
The high school and middle school at Innovation Central would operate as separate schools with separate entrances while experiencing the benefit of sharing resources for our scholars.
Once scholars relocate from Riverside, an addition and significant renovation would be made to the existing building. Once complete, Riverside would reopen in the fall of 2026 as a new Pre-K through 12th grade Montessori program.
Renovation work at Riverside would include a new heating and cooling system, interior finish upgrades, and parking lot resurfacing.
Roosevelt Park
We will gather neighborhood feedback as we imagine what the future of the Roosevelt Park site might look like. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
Shawmut Hills Academy
The plan would call for playground upgrades and parking lot resurfacing. Additional deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As plans are solidified we will share them with you.
Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy
While construction is underway, Ken-O-Sha scholars would temporarily relocate to Sherwood Park for the 2025-26 school year.
The new Ken-O-Sha campus would be home to both a new environment science program and the International Baccalaureate Global Studies program, bringing two world-class programs together in a unique and newly renovated space for growth and learning.
We will gather neighborhood feedback as we imagine what the future of the Sherwood Park site might look like. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1969
- Deferred maintenance: $9.1 million
- Routine maintenance: $227,900 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 29 out of 58
- Utilization: 23%
- Capacity: 552
- Percentage of district capacity: 2.2%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Program will move to nearby renovated Ken-O-Sha Park, which has a more desired site near Plaster Creek.
Sibley Elementary
The recommendations would also include some deferred maintenance projects at Sibley that will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Sigsbee
Sigsbee is a GRPS-owned building that is home to some GRPS staff and has been leased to other programs in recent years.
Before Southeast Career Pathways scholars relocate, the Sigsbee building would be renovated to add a safe and secure entrance, add larger windows to the building, upgrade interior finishes and improve the heating and cooling system. The parking lot would also be reconstructed.
Southeast Career Pathways (Jefferson)
The proposed recommendations would mean an exciting move for scholars in our Southeast Career Pathways program.
By the fall of 2025, the program would leave the current building on Jefferson and move to the former Sigsbee school at the corner of Sigsbee and Fuller SE. Before the move, the Sigsbee building would be renovated to add a safe and secure entrance, add larger windows to the building, upgrade interior finishes and improve the heating and cooling system. The parking lot would also be reconstructed.
We would then begin the process of gathering feedback from the community on what would happen with the Jefferson building site in the future. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1967
- Deferred maintenance: $6.6 million
- Routine maintenance: $138,900 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 40 out of 58
- Utilization: 26%
- Capacity: 350
- Percentage of district capacity: 1.4%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Building does not have air conditioning.
- Program will move to renovated space at Sigsbee site.
Southwest Elementary School - Academia Bilingüe
Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingüe
Stocking Elementary
This change will also allow for more robust programming with teaching teams collaborating and increased program offerings as there will be more scholars in place to take advantage of them.
We would then begin the process of gathering feedback from the community on what would happen with the Stocking site in the future. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1923
- Deferred maintenance: $7 million
- Routine maintenance: $147,800 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 42 out of 58
- Utilization: 28%
- Capacity: 504
- Percentage of district capacity: 2.2%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Building does not have air conditioning.
- Nearby GRPS options in better condition: Harrison Park, Sibley.
Straight
Some deferred maintenance projects will be determined at a later date. As those details come together we will share them with you.
Union High School
Scholars currently attending Westwood Middle School would relocate to a new middle school space within Union starting in the fall of 2028. The middle and high schools would have separate and distinct entrances and spaces, but would be able to share services. This would allow for more music, fine arts, and athletics opportunities for scholars at Union.
The proposed recommendations also include additional renovations to the Union auditorium, pool and upgrades to other athletic facilities.
Westwood Middle School
This would mean a stronger academic program with new elective choices and better access to fine arts. Scholars would enjoy upgraded space at either Union or Harrison Park.
The high school and middle school at Union would operate as separate schools with separate entrances while experiencing the benefit of sharing resources for our scholars.
We would then begin the process of gathering feedback from the community on what would happen with the Westwood site in the future. Considerations could include affordable family housing, green space, parkland, or other uses that would benefit the community and the school district as a whole.
BUILDING FACTS:
- Built: 1960
- Deferred maintenance: $12.9 million
- Routine maintenance: $356,700 / Year
- 2022 Facility Condition Assessment Ranking: 45 out of 58
- Utilization: 19%
- Capacity: 810
- Percentage of district capacity: 3%
OTHER KEY FACTORS:
- Program will move to space at nearby Union campus, mirroring MS/HS campuses in other quadrants.
Zoo School
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