K-12 Education
Education is a priority for all of West Michigan – we have some of the best public schools in the country. West Michigan also offers leading private, parochial and charter schools throughout the region.
East Grand Rapids was named the top school system in Michigan via Neighborhood Scout
Grand Rapids was named one of America’s smartest cities by Forbes.
Grand Haven Public Schools
For more than 130 years, the core of this district has been academic excellence realized through a rigorous curriculum combined with individual attention from our outstanding staff. GHAPS has gained national recognition for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. It offers a superior curriculum at all levels, emphasizing Advanced Placement and college-level courses in the high school.
Spring Lake Public Schools
Whether it is a pre-school program preparing children for kindergarten, after-school and in-school tutoring programs, technology training, or support for families and parent education, SLPS is there for the children. The common thread that unifies all of their services and programs is the commitment to assist every student to achieve success. The strength of this district lies in a resourceful and responsive staff that works in partnership with students, parents, and community organizations to meet the needs of all SLPS children.
Grand Haven Christian Schools
We are a private, Christian school, teaching from the reformed perspective, believing that God is Lord of all areas of life. We have classes ranging from Preschool through 8th Grade, in the academic disciplines as well as physical education, band, choir, music, visual art, computer technology, and introductory Spanish.
From preschool to PhD, the Grand Rapids area offers educational opportunities for all.
With public, private, parochial, technical and charter schools in the mix, parents have many choices on how their children are educated.
Public Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society! The Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship offers two years free tuition at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) for eligible students living and attending school in Grand Rapids. This scholarship was created in an effort to ensure students have access to education beginning with the class of 2020.
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools is located in the heart of a small neighborhood community in western Michigan. Three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school provide approximately 2800 students with rigorous academic programs, excellent opportunities in the arts, co-curricular activities that meet the needs of our students, and well over 100 athletic state championships. The community of EGR is also home to Spectrum Hospital’s Blodgett campus, the quaint Gaslight Village shopping district, and beautiful Reeds Lake.
Forest Hills Public Schools
The staff at Forest Hills Public Schools is committed to knowing every student’s interests and gifts, and to providing the educational opportunities that will maximize each one’s preparation for the future. In Forest Hills, our Board of Education leads the way in making every decision based on “what’s best for kids.”
Godwin Heights Public Schools
Godwin Heights Public Schools delivers quality education enabling each student to work cooperatively and to participate in our diverse, democratic society.
Grandville Public Schools
Improving lives by producing successful, life-long learners.
Kelloggsville Public Schools
The Kelloggsville Community will provide all
students with a solid foundation for lifelong success.
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
Kenowa Hills Public Schools will insure that all students acquire the skills, knowledge and commitment to succeed in a global society through shared responsibility with parents, staff, and the community.
Kentwood Public Schools
The Kentwood School District has approximately 8,500 students in sixteen buildings within 24.25 square miles. This is a wonderful family-oriented community that truly supports education.
Northview Public Schools
Northview Public Schools provide a safe, positive learning environment designed to focus our students on developing themselves both socially and academically. We prepare students for future academic, career and personal challenges in a supportive and adaptive environment. Students develop into life-long learners that are contributing, successful members of society.
Rockford Public Schools
The mission of the Rockford Public Schools is to provide a safe teaching and learning environment which will ensure, with the support of the students, parents and community, that all students, upon graduation, will have the academic and social skills to be successful, lifelong learners in a global society.
Private Schools
Calvin Christian Schools
Calvin Christian Schools enable students to know themselves as unique image-bearers of God with unique gifts and abilities. Through a well-rounded educational program and capable staff, we lead students to unwrap their God-given gifts. We help every child and young person develop his/her spiritual, intellectual, moral, emotional, and social abilities to their fullest extent possible.
Catholic Central High School
Catholic Central High School provides a Catholic culture for instruction and faith formation that challenges students to know and love God, seek knowledge and truth, respect the dignity of each person, and contribute to society through leadership and service.
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 30 vibrant learning communities serving more than 6,600 elementary and high school students throughout West Michigan. Their 25 elementary and five high schools inspire young people to grow in faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. They partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.
Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Our well-rounded curriculum will foster your child’s lifelong love of learning, and his or her lifelong relationship with Christ. Help your child experience a more fulfilling education that combines high academic standards with a wide range of educational and extracurricular activities, all taught from a Christian perspective.
Jenison Christian School
The mission of Jenison Christian School is to provide a Christ-centered, quality education, rooted in the truth of God’s word. Jenison Christian School will, in a loving environment and in partnership with parents and the covenant community, empower each child to develop his or her God-given abilities for a life of service for the glory of God.
NorthPointe Christian Schools
NorthPointe Christian Schools is dedicated to the spiritual formation of our students, faculty, staff, and even our parents. Our mission is to “prepare students to impact their world for Jesus Christ.”
The Potter’s House provides a Christ-centered education to children of all ethnic heritages and income levels, equipping them to serve God and society to their fullest potential.
Unity Christian High School
Unity serves a wide range of students from National Merit Scholars to special needs students. A comprehensive curriculum, which includes a full range of courses based on Biblical truths and taught by dynamic Christian teachers, prepares students for college and the workplace. Courses range from Advanced Placement to basic, from science labs to shop classes, from audition music groups to beginner music groups.
West Catholic High School
West Catholic High School provides a Catholic culture for instruction and faith formation that challenges students to know and love God, seek knowledge and truth, respect the dignity of each person, and contribute to society through leadership and service.
West Michigan Lutheran High School
We are committed to Christian learning processes that will equip our students to integrate their faith with all aspects of their life as they mature in their personal relationships and encounter important decisions and responsibilities.
CLC Network
This organization partners with many of the Grand Rapids area non-public schools to support the inclusion of students at all levels of ability and disability.
Stepping Stones Montessori School:
Stepping Stones Montessori School is the only secular private school in Grand Rapids. It has continued to set the standard for Montessori education in West Michigan for 35 years.
Charter Academies
Child Discovery Center
The mission of the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center and the Aquinas Child Development Center is to continuously expand the potential of children, the experiences of educators and the involvement of parents within a diverse community of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Cross Creek Charter Academy
The “Award Winning” Cross Creek Charter Academy is a tuition-free, publicly-funded charter school, located on the southern end of Kent County, between the Caledonia, Kentwood and Byron Center school districts. It operates on a basic theory: Expect more from kids and they will deliver.
Excel Charter Academy
Founded in 1995, Grand Rapids’ Excel Charter Academy is the school that started the revolution! The first of the National Heritage Academies, Excel’s staff members and parents built the curriculum standards and moral focus program that all of NHA’s schools have modeled since.
Grand River Prep
Employing a powerful combination of exceptional leadership, rigorous college-prep curriculum, and an emphasis on moral character, Grand River Prep will foster the high achievement and healthy development of every student. Our core values will be Rigor, Responsibility and Moral Focus, Relevance and Relationships.
Knapp Charter Academy
Our program not only supports state academic standards, but also provides a unique, college-bound approach that delivers the specific knowledge and skills students are expected to master in each subject area at each grade level.
New Branches Public School Academy
At New Branches School our mission is to cultivate healthy, productive, and responsible students who are excited to learn and able to lead.
Ridge Park Charter Academy
Ridge Park Charter Academy, managed by National Heritage Academies, a charter school management company with a network of over 60 charter schools in eight states, was founded on the four pillars of academic excellence, moral focus, parental partnership and student responsibility.
Vista Charter Academy
With a vision to better educate more children, Vista Charter Academy is dedicated to challenging each child to achieve.
Vanguard Academy
Our program not only supports state standards, but provides a unique college-bound approach that delivers the specific knowledge and skills students are expected to master in each subject area at each grade level.
Walker Charter Academy
Challenge each child to achieve through academic excellence, parental partnerships, moral focus, and student responsibility.
Wellspring Preparatory High School
Wellspring Prep is a college preparatory charter high school on Grand Rapid’s northeast side currently serving 180 9th & 10th grade students. We have limited opening in grades 9-11 for the 2012-2013 school year. This is a tuition free school.
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science
Welcome to West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science. Children who are drawn to science thrive at West Michigan Academy. From preschool through 12th-grade, we offer a complete, fully accredited education grounded in the disciplines and rewards of science.
Programs for Kids
Camp Fire provides children the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are through after school, summer, and service learning programs.
The Career and College Readiness team at Kent Intermediate School District offers a vast array of career exploration questions so that students in our community have a head start on the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The team offers job shadows, internships, industry tours, competitions and more.
Help Me Grow is a one-stop free service to help parents with children between prenatal to five years in finding local resources to support their young families.
Holland is home to a mix of charter, public and private schools for K – 12 options.
Public Schools
Holland Public Schools believes in an uncompromising commitment to student achievement and an unending quest to maximize student success. In partnership with our parents and community, we provide opportunities and high quality education to ALL students, which will allow them to reach their full potential and prepare them for the future.
We are a recognized educational leader with a diverse customer base. We provide our customers with solutions to their unique needs and challenges. Our definition of education includes those endeavors that seek to develop the individual, the family, and the community. Our culture is built on trust and our staff embraces the values crucial to our success.
West Ottawa Public Schools
West Ottawa sets the bar for excellence in education, performing arts and sciences, athletics and community pride. From our award-winning academics and arts to the International Baccalaureate program, from our Spanish Immersion to our dual enrollment and schools of choice participation, we pull out all the stops to make our schools West Michigan’s best.
Zeeland Public Schools
Zeeland Public Schools, with family and community, prepares students for a lifetime of learning.
Private Schools
Holland Christian strives daily to bring every student to a greater sense of awe and gratitude for the amazing world that God has called us to serve and care for with a better understanding of themselves as uniquely made by God. Our desire is to have every student be well equipped to make an impact on their “world” both in the present and for the future. We feel blessed to be able to partner with parents as together we “equip the minds and nurture the hearts” of their children.
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 30 vibrant learning communities serving more than 6,600 elementary and high school students throughout West Michigan. Their 25 elementary and five high schools inspire young people to grow in faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. They partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.
Charter Academies
Eagle Crest is proud to be a back-to-basics school where we focus on a challenging curriculum, moral development and parent involvement. The four core subjects of language arts, math, science and social studies receive the strongest emphasis.
Vanderbilt Academy
With a vision to better educate more children, Vanderbilt Charter Academy is dedicated to challenging each child to achieve.
Photograph courtesy of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
Muskegon offers public, private and charter options for K-12 education.
Muskegon County is now offering the Promise scholarship, for resident Muskegon Area high school graduates with a 3.5 grade point average or higher. To be eligible, the Promise Scholars must have graduated from a high school within the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and the scholarship will be accepted at either Muskegon Community College or Baker College of Muskegon. Click here for more information.
Public Schools
Muskegon Public Schools is dedicated to providing and promoting comprehensive educational, social, and cultural opportunities that will enable a diverse citizenry of all ages, interests, and abilities to lead productive, enriched lives.
Fruitport Public Schools
Known for their academic and co-curricular programs, the Fruitport district is located in Muskegon and Ottawa counties. They provide an environment that celebrates individuality, promotes problem solving through critical thinking and encourages students to fulfill their potential.
Holton Public Schools
Holton School District is situated in Muskegon County, in western Michigan. The District includes the Village of Holton, and all, or parts of, the Townships of Holton, Cedar Creek, and Blue Lake. Grades Pre K-12 are housed in three buildings and serve the District’s approximately 1000 students.
Mona Shores Public Schools
Mona Shores Public Schools is recognized throughout the area as one of the finest K-12 school districts in West Michigan.
Montague Area Public Schools
Montague Area Public Schools serves children from the City of Montague, Rothbury Village, Montague Township, White River Township and part of Grant, Otto, and Claybanks Townships—an area of more than 120 square miles. The size of the district allows teachers to know students well and personalize their instruction.
Muskegon Area Intermediate School District
Our primary mission is to provide leadership and services that enhance the delivery of instruction for the 12 constituent school districts and assisting other public and parochial schools.
Muskegon Heights Public Schools
Because families who live in Muskegon Heights stay for generations, students go to the same schools that their parents and grandparents attended. Students can’t get lost in the crowd because parents and teachers know each other and stay in touch. Helping students learn is everyone’s responsibility.
North Muskegon Public Schools
The beautiful community of North Muskegon has a long tradition of providing excellent education for its children. The belief that education is the major foundation for the future strength of our country and the cornerstone for individual success is the basis for our pursuit of academic excellence.
Oakridge Public Schools
The community of Oakridge Public Schools exists to prepare every student, within a safe and healthy environment, with a globally competitive education focused on college preparation, workplace success, and lifelong learning.
Orchard View Public Schools
Orchard View Schools believes in servicing the family as a whole. We provide an environment that promotes problem solving, critical thinking, and encouragement for all to reach their full potential.
Ravenna Public Schools
Ravenna is a progressive community that values young people. The entire community strives to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of its students. There are many examples of the community’s dedication to this task. In 2008 the district passed a $14.8 million dollar bond initiative.
Reeths Puffer Public Schools
An organization that lacks direction or a specific vision can not move forward. What we do best at Reeths-Puffer is teaching and learning. We strive to be the best at what we do and a strategic plan is critical to that success.
Whitehall Public School
Students, staff and parents of Whitehall District Schools are part of a community that takes pride in a quality educational system committed to the expectation that all students can and will learn. Educational programs are available for learners of all ages, child through adult. Two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and a community education program provide opportunities for all residents.
Private Schools
Calvary Christian Schools
Since 1980, CCS families in the greater Lakeshore area have chosen to be part of an educational community that understands the advantages of the local homes, local churches, and a family-friendly local school constructing a framework for life upon the same firm foundation.
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 30 vibrant learning communities serving more than 6,600 elementary and high school students throughout West Michigan. Their 25 elementary and five high schools inspire young people to grow in faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. They partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life — that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.
Muskegon Catholic Central
Muskegon Catholic Schools educate each student in spirit, mind, and body by fostering personal excellence within the Catholic tradition.
Muskegon Christian School
Our mission is to provide academic excellence with a Christian worldview to engage each student in a lifetime of Christian discipleship.
West Shore Lutheran School
West Shore Lutheran School will provide excellence in Christ-centered education. To do this we will instruct, nurture, and reach out to our congregations’ and communities’ families and children. Our goal is to serve Christ by serving families. That, together, we may learn, grow and live lives to the glory of God and in service to others.”
Western Michigan Christian High School
Western Michigan Christian High School’s mission is to educate with excellence, integrate faith with knowledge, equip students to work and serve Christ in their communities. It is a 4 year private Christian school accredited by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools. Annually, more than 90% of our seniors enroll in two- or four-year college programs after graduation.
Charter Schools
Timberland Charter Academy
Timberland Charter Academy, home of the Timberwolves, is located 9 miles from Lake Michigan in Muskegon. We serve a diverse population of over 550 elementary and middle school students in our safe environment.
Innocademy Allegan focuses on Innovation education that cultivates global leaders and thinkers, and makes a positive impact. We are committed to each child’s academic, physical, and emotional growth to ensure success of the whole child.
Help Me Grow is a one-stop free service to help parents with children between prenatal to five years in finding local resources to support their young families.
Baldwin Elementary School (Pre K-6)
Baldwin Junior High School (7-8)
Baldwin Senior High School (9-12)
Mackinac Preparatory Academy (K-12)
Central Montcalm Public Schools
Carson City-Crystal Area Schools
Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Montcalm County schools currently hold the highest graduation rate of their 13 county region.
Public:
- Evart Public Schools
- Marion Public Schools
- Mecosta-Osceola ISD
- Pine River Area Schools
- Reed City Area Public Schools
- Wexford-Missaukee ISD
Private:
- Daystar Christian Academy (Elementary and High School)
- Trinity Lutheran School (Pre K-8)
