Giving Voice to Children
Most elementary students have never attended an opera. Coit Creative Arts Academy fourth- and fifth-grade students have created, produced and performed one.
The project, done in partnership with Opera Grand Rapids Children's Opera, was led by the Creative Connections arts...
Student Numbers Show Transformation Plan is Working, Leaders Say
The news that Grand Rapids Public Schools lost far fewer students than projected is evidence that Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal’s Transformation Plan is working, school leaders say.
The district reported losing fewer than 100 students on Oct 1, far fewer...
Four Districts Ask Voters for Help Nov. 3
Four Kent County school districts will ask voters for financial support on the election ballot next Tuesday, Nov. 3. The tax requests would pay for everything from building repair and construction to new technology and security measures. Here’s a...
Mentor Program for African-American Boys Aims to ‘Create Next Generation of Global Leaders’
Delicious-smelling bags of Popeyes chicken lie within reach of seven boys at lunch time. But before they dig in, Robert Hurd has a few things to ask them.
“Any April suspensions?” he asks the third- through seventh-grade students gathered around...
Calling All Senses: Help Me Read!
In a small room within the teacher's lounge, Southeast Elementary School fourth-grader Aubrianna Vernon focused on the consonant blend, "spr." With her index finger, she wrote the letters in the air, on a table and in sand spread on...
Superintendents Support Students In the Face of DACA Decision
As a mother and grandmother, Teresa Weatherall Neal knows well the value of family. And as superintendent of nearly 17,000 Grand Rapids Public Schools students, she thinks about the families they all come from.
So Neal’s reaction to President Trump’s...
MySchool@Kent students overcome obstacles to get to graduation
Students choose online high school for a variety of reasons. Here, a few of this year’s graduates reflect...
Academy aims to groom future teachers for GRPS
A partnership between Grand Rapids Public Schools and Ferris State University, the Academy of Teaching and Learning aims to motivate students to go into teaching...
My Hero, My Friend
Winners of the 2015 MLK Essay Contest
A record 327 essays were entered for the 10th annual Warner Norcross & Judd LLP Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest earlier this year. School News Network is publishing the three winning submissions...
Ford Students Review Rare Documents While Researching School Namesake
Thirteen-year-olds Delmy Rivera and Raquel Santos along with their classmates at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center have spent part of their school year researching the presidency of their school's namesake.
It's common practice for West Michigan students who routinely study...
Water Donation: ‘Anyone Can Make a Difference’
Two students helped teacher Peggy Luebs unload three cases of bottled water from her car, each containing 40bottles she bought on special at Costco. Then they watched as she filled in a hallway chart showing her class’ latest contribution...
First Day in the Life 2016
Editor’s note: This year, a quartet of School News Network reporters fanned out across Kent ISD and paired with a single person experiencing his or her first day. Below is a glimpse inside that exciting, nerve-wracking annual school ritual.
Grand...
Leaders to Young Males: Make Smart Choices
Nathaniel Stanley knows how easy it would have been to take the wrong path.
The Davenport University sophomore said that's the importance of conferences like the 2nd Annual African-American Male Conference held at Grand Rapids Community College. The message of...
A New Vision for a Historic School
Since its founding in the 1920s in the neighborhood bearing its name, Ottawa Hills High School has educated plenty of distinguished students. They include former U.S. District Attorney Patrick Miles Jr., renowned gospel singer Marvin Sapp, and famous athletes...
Museum School takes next step of innovation — into high school
An Aug. 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the school, created from the former Grand Rapids Public Museum at 54 Jefferson Ave. SE...
Students speak their truth in poetry about where they live
Students at Ottawa Hills High School learn how historic housing patterns impact their lives, in a spoken-word workshop conducted by The Diatribe and the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan...
Grand Rapids Student Showcase
Impacting America.. My Way
When I think about Rosa Parks and what she did, or how she impacted America, I begin to think of ways that I could possibly be an impacting person and be influential for people today. One thing that I...
My Hero, My Friend
Winners of the 2015 MLK Essay Contest
A record 327 essays were entered for the 10th annual Warner Norcross & Judd LLP Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest earlier this year. School News Network is publishing the three winning submissions...
What Can You Do to Accomplish a Dream?
We all have a dream no matter where we live or who we are. Everybody DREAMS! Some people have selfish dreams like to win millions of dollars in the lottery, or to become a princess or a prince. But...
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