In addition to the academic rigor and performance, City is known for its active parent and volunteer community and highly qualified, dedicated group of teachers and support staff. The focus of City is a humanities, science, and technology curriculum created under the auspice of the Center for Economicology. This curriculum is integrated along with Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses. Community service is also a requirement for all students.

Due to high demand and academic success, this Fall, City High-Middle and the 6^th Grade Center for Economicology (another school ranking in the top 5% in the state for academic performance) are moving to the former Creston High School facility located at 1720 Plainfield Ave. NE.

To learn more, click here to download the brochure or call the school to arrange for a tour, meet with staff and parents, or talk with the school principal at 819-2380.

To apply:

Our Montessori schools consistently demonstrate strong academic performance, at times out-performing neighboring school districts and charter schools. In fact, a few years ago, Grand Rapids Montessori was named among “America’s Top 300 Schools” by U.S. News and World Report.  Just this year, Grand Rapids Montessori High School posted the single largest increase in graduation rates.

We have a 40 year history of tuition-free public education and the Grand Rapids Montessori program is one of the longest running programs in the United States.

The Montessori method focuses on experiential learning and allows students to choose meaningful activities under the guidance of a specially-trained teacher who gives the students the opportunity to develop independence, concentration, motivation, persistence, and self discipline. In Montessori, a child develops as a whole person in a safe, collaborative, and challenging environment while learning language arts, mathematics, sensorial studies, cultural studies, and practical life skills.

Montessori students learn in cohorts of three age levels. Typically, students will have the same teacher for three years. The multi-age classroom allows the student to become part of a learning community that fosters respect, understanding, and tolerance.

To learn more, click here to download the brochure or contact the schools directly. North Park Montessori 819-2848 / Grand Rapids Montessori 819-2922.

To apply:

The success of the University Prep Academy model is its commitment to educating “one child at a time” featuring a high tech/high touch focus and creating a culture and environment of inclusiveness, innovation, and diversity.

Small class sizes are only one part of the model. Students develop individualized “Learning Plans” that they create with parental and teacher guidance. UPrep has a rigorous college prep curriculum that is project-based and passion driven. There are intentional career exploration opportunities through job shadowing and professional internships.

To learn more, click here to download the brochure or contact the school to schedule a tour, meet with staff and parents, or talk with the principals at 819-1010.

To apply:

These schools offer a rigorous college-career prep curriculum with hands-on learning experiences that take students outside the classroom and connect them with leading professionals, job providers, and high-paying, high-demand jobs of the future. Partners include, but are not limited to: Spectrum Health, Amway, Steelcase, Rockford Construction, Triangle Associates, Progressive AE, Van Andel Institute, MSU Med School, Davenport University, GVSU, GRCC, FSU, Michigan Tech, GE Aviation, Life EMS, and many more.

Here are highlights of each individual Center of Innovation:

Academy for Design and Construction (brochure):

• Focus on architecture, engineering, design, and construction through real world experiences
• Active involvement of industry professionals in student learning’
• Parnterships with businesses, colleges, and universities

GRAPCEP/Engineering and Biomedical School (brochure):

• 99% graduation rate
• 90% college enrollment rate
• Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) focus and partnerships with seven leading universities, Van Andel Institute, GE Aviation, and more

School of Business, Leadership, & Entrepreneurship (brochure):

• Courses in business technology, marketing, management, multi-media, accounting, and business law
• Partnerships with leading job providers and universities including Amway, Steelcase, and others

School of Health Sciences (brochure):

• Customized college-career courses in fastest growing, high-paying health care industry
• The region’s only high school located near the “Medical Mile” and partnered with leading health industry providers including Spectrum Health, Life EMS, Van Andel Institute, MSU Medical School, GVSU Health Sciences, and more
• Opportunities for job shadowing and internships with leading health care providers

To learn more, click here to download the brochure or contact us to schedule a tour, meet with staff and parents, or talk with the principals at 819-2149.

To apply:

Based on the successful Southeast Academic Center model, the new Ford Academic Center will be headed by Jerry McComb, the current principal of Coit Creative Arts Academy (one of the top 5% performing schools in Michigan) and a former teacher at SEAC. Former principals Ruth Jones and Edna States-Webley have also agreed to assist with the development of the new school.

To learn more, click here to download the brochure.

To apply:

To learn more, click here to download the brochure or contact the school to schedule a tour, meet with staff and parents, or talk with the principals at 819-2390.

To apply:

On Friday May 3rd, hundreds of Michigan teens will converge upon Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus for a life-changing experience at the Annual Above the Influence-Kent County ‘Push Forward’ Youth Summit powered by the Kent County Prevention Coalition (KCPC) in partnership with Network180!

Conference Highlights include:

• Inspiring, High-Octane Educational Workshops and Speakers
• Empowering Skill-Building Sessions centered around three themes
  • ‘Push Forward to Your Dreams’
  • ‘Push Forward to Inspire’
  • ‘Push Forward through the Drama’
• A Talent Showcase
• Peer-to-Peer Positive Youth Development
• Evening Lock-In at the 3 Mile Project
• …and more!

Get Your Students Connected Today!  

The entire Youth Summit is FREE of charge and includes breakfast and lunch for students and teachers/field trip volunteers! However, to help us prepare to serve conference guests, registration is required. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 3rd.

Three Ways to Register

There are three ways to register students for this year’s summit:

1. Electronic Registration – Go to: http://conta.cc/Xnt5U for online registration. [Preferred method]

2. Paper Registration – A .PDF version of the registration packet is available for download from the KCPC website at http://www.kcpreventioncoalition.org. You may also request a copy of the registration packet by emailing: kcpreventioncoalition@gmail.com.

3. Mobile On-Site Registration — Need help registering students? Let our staff come into your classroom, after school activity, parent group, or school event to register youth on-site!

Wait – There’s More… Get A Preview Of What To Expect At The Summit!

Invite students, staff, and parents to view:

• The 2012 Youth Summit Opener at: http://vimeo.com/40166923
• The 15-second ‘Push Forward’ movie trailer at: http://vimeo.com/55053566