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Arts and Academics

‘Sassy, funny, scary’: students excited to return to the stage

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The district is set to present its first fall play since the COVID pandemic on Nov. 17 and 18.

Schools see success in statewide push for phonics-based approach to reading

The Road to Reading Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

After one year of using LETRS, Grand Rapids’ Sibley Elementary School saw its reading scores go up.

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In the marching band Grand Prix, this pit crew is tops

Northview Brett Atwood

A group of volunteers has been striking up a proverbial symphony of dedication for decades.

Students ‘debug’ their way through STEM class

Kentwood Erin Albanese

STEM looks like designing mazes, robot bugs, coding and thinking hard for elementary students in Kentwood Public Schools.

Getting the bands back together

Forest Hills Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Central, Eastern and Northern high schools celebrated their music and one another.

High school drumlines keep the beat for downtown event

Godwin Heights Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Drumlines from Godwin Heights and Grand Rapids had a friendly competition for a good cause at Rosa Parks Circle.

‘It feeds me,’ says teacher-artist

Grandville Beth Heinen Bell

By day she’s a biology and chemistry teacher at Grandville High School. By night and on weekends, and, really, all the time, she’s an artist — and now, an ArtPrize finalist.

Books on the Run bounces back

Sparta Riley Kelley

Sparta’s bookmobile hit the road again this summer.

It takes a community to stage a musical

Byron Center Alexis Stark

The Van Singel Fine Arts Center’s community theater production of “The Sound of Music” brought together a cast of Byron Center staff, students and their families.

Superintendent to serve on Growing Michigan Together Council

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Superintendent Kevin Polston will be a member of the PreK-12 Education workgroup, looking for ways to grow the state's population.

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Strings at Stocking strikes a chord

Grand Rapids Brett Atwood

Students at Stocking spent time learning and performing on string instruments thanks to St. Cecilia Music Center...

Painting on the walls encouraged here

Northview Morgan Jarema

When a renovated East Oakview Elementary welcomed students in Fall 2022, art teacher Amy Tefft was excited to see what amounted to a blank canvas...

Juniors publish book inspired by author’s work

Wyoming Erin Albanese

Inspired by New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson, Wyoming High School juniors wrote about their own transformations in a newly published book...

Student musicians take sounds outside the classroom

Kenowa Hills Alexis Stark

West Michigan non-profit Project ESME brings together student musicians from different skill levels and schools to play a variety of pop, rock and film music...

A festive display of art

State of the Arts Dianne Carroll Burdick

Student creations showcase classroom learning, creativity...

‘Amazing Alphabet’ mural stretches from alligator to zebra

State of the Arts Erin Albanese

Students transformed letters into artsy animals to create the mural for kindergartners...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

‘You can do anything and everything’

His heart is in the health care field

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Book battle promotes literacy, teamwork

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

High-school journalists provide behind-the-scenes look at news production

Basketball team unites students, promotes inclusion

Diving into social-emotional learning

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Arts and Academics

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