Several  years ago, a group of Montessori parents, teachers, principals, and district leaders organized a task force to develop recommendations to strengthen and improve Montessori programming with particular emphasis on the high school program. The recommendations issued in 2011 have been a driving force ever since and Superintendent Weatherall Neal’s Transformation Plan took that implementation to another level.

Not only did Superintendent Neal pledge $250,000 over 5 years to ensure all teachers are Montessori trained, but she also recommended expanding North Park Montessori to a PK-8 so the district now has two PK-8 Montessori schools feeding into Grand Rapids Montessori High School.

“Montessori is a very successful program. My daughter is a product of Montessori so I know first-hand as a parent the benefits of the Montessori method of teaching and learning,” said Teresa Weatherall Neal, Superintendent. “Our Transformation Plan is about investing in what’s working – and Montessori works!”

As a result of the strategic investments and implementation of the Montessori Task Force recommendations, the entire Montessori is booming with increased enrollment, improved academics, and growing momentum for the future.

The following is a list of accomplishments:

• Established a Montessori Advisory Council of parents, teachers, school leaders, and Cabinet level administrators
• Conducted market research study that proved high awareness and interest in Montessori
• Investing $250,000 over 5 years for Montessori teacher training
• Rebranded and increased marketing specific to Montessori (billboards, radio ads, direct mail, etc.)
• Restored theme school funding ($150,000 per school)
• Expanded North Park Montessori to a PK-8 feeder to GR Montessori High School
• Increased enrollment with growing waiting lists of parents applying to get in
• Established a “Montessori Boot Camp” / orientation for new, returning, and non-Montessori students
• Improved academics: Montessori had single largest gains on ACT scores county wide
• Working with Early Childhood Department to strengthen and grow “Children’s House”
• Actively exploring development of the “Erdkinder” (a.k.a. farm school) model of Montessori
• And much more!

The excitement and momentum is growing. Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal and her team want to especially thank the Montessori parents and teachers who have literally given years of their time and expertise to help further strengthen and grow the Montessori schools.

By Linda Odette

Gerald R. Ford Academic Center’s Bengal tiger school mascot lets you know this school is different than the rest. It’s not just an image of a tiger, but a tiger wearing glasses and a graduation cap.

Besides preparation for college, the school focuses heavily on character building and positive behavior. And parental involvement is mandatory.

One of the most important factors in student success at school is parents who are truly involved with their children’s learning. It’s so important, the Ford Academic Center puts it on paper. The new school requires parents to sign a contract saying they’ll be actively involved in their child’s education, including participation at the school. Parents are expected to attend monthly parent meetings, sign-off on nightly homework and bi-weekly report cards, and be visible at events.

“This is not a school where you send your kids, and the teachers and principal do everything. Parents are very involved,” said Principal Jerry McComb, who was principal at the Coit Creative Arts Academy for five years before coming to Ford Academic Center.

The school at 851 Madison Ave., SE, is on the site of the former Madison Middle School, which President Gerald R. Ford attended. A new building was constructed in 2007, and it operated as a middle school until last year. The new Ford Academic Center has 205 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade, with one classroom per grade. There are two split classrooms with third and fourth graders, and fourth and fifth graders.

The school runs on a positive behavior program, which sets high standards for the way students and staff work together and act in hallways, the cafetorium, the playground, restrooms, with guests, and more.

When the students walk into school on Monday mornings, they go straight to the gym, not their lockers, for a brief meeting. Principal McComb talks to them about the previous and coming weeks, teachers and students are given opportunities to speak, and all of them recite the school’s very own pledge.

When they leave the assembly, it’s a quiet exit. That’s because of a rule that makes people’s mouths drop: no talking in the halls.

“Students wave to their peers and parents,” if they pass them in the hall, said Synia Jordan, a mother and grandmother of students at the school and a Parent Action Leader (PAL), which is a group that helps educate and recruit parents and volunteers.

“Lunchtime is so impressive,” Jordan says. “They talk quietly, and clean up after themselves.” When lunch is over, Principal McComb dismisses them by table by table.

Being quiet in the halls is one of many expectations at the school, as is the wearing of uniforms (becoming universal throughout GRPS). So are actions like saying “thank you,” “please” and “may I,” walking on the right side of the hall, greeting people with respect, using indoor voices and always using kind words.

McComb puts it this way: “Don’t be trash talking.” He doesn’t want to hear his students using slang because they need to have a good vocabulary.  He teaches students to look at people when they talk to them and to dress appropriately, especially on school trips, because they are representing Gerald R. Ford Academic Center.

“My biggest thing is to get our boys and girls on the right track,” McComb says.

Deanna Wilson is one parent who thinks that’s exactly what the new school is doing after seeing  improvements in her son’s grades and attitude. “I’m blown away at my son right now,” says Wilson, a mother who is also a PAL and volunteers at the school two days a week.

“I like a small school,” she says. “It makes it personal. It makes it home.”

Seventh-grade teacher Christy Price likes the highly structured format of the school and the parent involvement. “I believe you can’t go wrong with parents, teachers and students working together as a team. If we put in 100 percent and if they put in 100 percent, it will work.”

She recently heard an example of the positive attitude that fills the school from a student, who told her “There is no way to go but up.”

The school strives to create a caring atmosphere and environment. “You’ve got to build character, get to their hearts,” McComb says.

McComb, who knows most students by name, likes to ask them, “What can I do to make your day better?” He keeps a treasure chest in his office and when students get enough Bengal Bucks, they can pick out something from the chest, which is filled with stuffed animals, glow sticks, jump ropes, pens and many more items. Bengal Bucks are an incentive given to the kids for good attendance and positive behavior.

“He’s our Morgan Freeman from “Lean on Me,’ ” Jordan said, comparing McComb to the actor who starred in a movie about a dedicated principal working to improve an inner-city school.

Jordan says community support is another key to the school’s success. It partners with Our Kitchen Table, a non-profit serving the Grand Rapids area, helping people grow and prepare healthy food.  Eventually, volunteers want to sell produce from the school garden while teachers using the garden for science, math and art lessons.

Community involvement teaches other good lessons, according to Jordan. “Networking is a big part of being successful, she says. “You have to know who to go to.”

Enjoyable activities like Muffins with Moms, Donuts with Dads and Family Fun Nights, encourage the required parental involvement.  In addition to the fun (which might include the opportunity to throw a pie at the principal), educational workshops are offered for parents and students. “Attendance has been awesome,” Wilson says of the parent activities. “They want to come.”

McComb says the school is doing things that are truly different.  “We’re changing mindsets,” McComb said. “We’re changing the way kids have done things. And it’s working.”

Grand Rapids Innovation Central Senior Dustin Suchomski has only been enrolled in the school’s Academy of Design and Construction for a couple months, but he’s already made connections he hopes will come handy in his professional life.

He counts the chairman of an area construction company as his mentor, has met several companies’ CEOs and already attended an industry-specific award ceremony where his school was recognized for its innovative approach.

“I want to be an engineer and I figured this would be a good program to be in. They have good field trips and we go to a lot of (activities) that can open doors – opportunities for mentorships and things like that,” said Suchomski, 17, who plans to attend college and become an engineer after graduation.

Suchomski is one of 775 students enrolled at Innovation Central High School housed at former Central High School.  Under the transformation plan approved by the GRPS board last December, the building combines four Centers of Innovation all under one roof:

• the Academy of Design and Construction
• the Academy of Business, Leadership and Entrepreneurship
• the Academy of Health, Sciences and Technology
• the Academy of Modern Engineering (formerly known as GRAPCEP)

Principal Mark Frost said everyone at the school, students, parents and teachers, have bought into the program’s high academic and behavior standards. And while there were initial concerns about bringing students from different buildings into one, those concerns have not materialized, he added.

“It’s working out great,” he said. “We have a great atmosphere here and we’re functioning on a much higher level already.”

Gideon Sanders, director for Innovative Strategies at GRPS, said developing close relationships with the community is key for the program’s success. Students are provided with opportunities to participate in community events and industry-specific activities.  On the last Friday of the month, a speaker visits to discuss experiences with students.

Students are invited to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids, have attended LinkedIn dinners and the Academy of Design and Construction recently attended the Michigan Contractor Awards ceremony at Frederik Meijer Gardens.

“The idea is to expose students to the community at large. We want them to see all perspectives,” Sanders said. “It’s about allowing them to make choices.  In order to do that, they need to have a broad range of experiences – not just here in the school and within these four walls, with this one teacher. School is not about that anymore. Education is not about that anymore. We really need to prepare them so they feel comfortable in a variety of settings, with a variety of people that they’re going to meet.”

For Diego Garcia, the program is working out just fine. Garcia plans to become a dentist and is currently enrolled in a paramedics’ class offered at the school.  “I feel like having this experience is going to have a benefit to me in the future, because I can become a licensed EMT and I can take this into other classes that I might be taking in college.

“They’re preparing you for the work environment outside of high school.  I want to seek a career in the medical field and by coming here, I’ll be more likely to be prepared and have a very strong background on science.”

Agreeing was Ayla Gutierrez, 16, 11^th grade, who is enrolled in the business entrepreneurship program at the school. She plans to become a veterinarian and open her own animal hospital/rescue shelter. And while she was a bit skeptical at the beginning, she said she’s really glad she signed up for the program. “I actually like it a lot,” she said.

Suchomski, the construction student, was busy last week working on the roof of a Habitat of Humanity house.  “It’s basically like regular school, but with electives that will help you out. It really gets you prepared with hands-on stuff,” he said. “And the teacher doesn’t baby us. If you do something wrong, you have to re-do it.”

Jose Ruelas, 17, also a senior at the school, explained, “You get hands-on experience and get to do construction before you graduate.  I think that’s cool,” Ruelas said. “It’s versatile, because they let you go out to the site and work and you still get your work done in the classroom.”

Last May, volunteers from the East Hills Council of Neighbors (EHCN), a leading neighborhood association in the City of Grand Rapids, and students, parents, and staff from Congress Elementary took their partnership to a new level with the construction of the “Cornelius Kos Community/School Garden.”

The community-school garden was months in the making, but thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Cornelius Kos family and the blossoming relationship between EHCN, Congress Elementary and GRPS, it became a reality – and a model for the future. Congress Elementary and the partnership with EHCN are part of the GRPS Transformation Plan strategy focused on neighborhood-school reclamation.

“We are so grateful to the East Hills Council of Neighbors and the Kos family for their generous support,” said Teresa Weatherall Neal, Superintendent of Schools. “They have embraced Congress and are working to rally the neighborhood to reclaim, strengthen and grow their walkable school. They have also helped the district learn how to open up, think outside the educational box, and work better with our community partners.”

Families of students attending Congress Elementary have first right to seven of the twelve boxes and one or more boxes are reserved for educational purposes, with the remaining available to the East Hills neighbors. GRPS will provide electric and water. The community/school garden will be closed to the public during normal school hours (8am – 4pm). It was designed pro-bono by David Proulx of DLP Landscape Graphics.

“Congress and the district have really opened up and allowed neighbors to be engaged and help strategically plan for the future of our neighborhood school,” said Claire Fisher, former Community Organizer, East Hills Council of Neighbors. “Congress is an anchor institution for our neighborhood and this new community-school garden further connects our school and community.”

GRPS is proud to offer the largest, most comprehensive selection of school choices in all of West Michigan! This includes specialty schools known as “Theme Schools” and “Centers of Innovation”.

As part of the GRPS Transformation Plan, the district is reinvesting in and expanding the number of theme schools and Centers of Innovation to meet the growing demands of students and parents.

“Our theme schools and Centers of Innovation are in high demand, they have proven academic results, more active parental involvement, and it is clear to us that parents want more high quality school choices like these,” said Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. “Our parents and this community know what they want, they told us what they want, we listened, and took action. That’s the new GRPS way.”

Neal’s plans includes investing an additional $150,000 per theme school to strengthen, grow and enhance the theme curriculum, opening the new Gerald R. Ford Academic Center theme school, and pooling the talent, innovation, and resources of four Centers of Innovation school all under one roof at the new Innovation Central High School.

Based on the enrollment numbers, it appears the plan is really starting to pay off. Enrollment is up at nearly every theme school and Center of Innovation to the point where there were also waiting lists at several of the schools.

“The seats are limited based on the capacity of the building, and typically we get more applications than we have seats for — so we urge parents to get their applications in early,” said Neal.

In order to improve customer service and provide parents with answers to their question “Did my child get accepted?” as early as possible, the district has moved the application deadline up to December 16 (last year it was Feb 28) and established an quick and easy paperless on-line application form that is available at apply.grps.org.

Your School Choices!

Theme Schools

• Blandford Environmental School (6^th grade only)
• C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy (K-8)
• Center for Economicology @ City (6^th grade only)
• City High-Middle School / International Baccalaureate School (7-12)
• Coit Creative Arts Academy (K-5)
• Gerald R. Ford Academic Center (PK-8)
• Grand Rapids Montessori (PK-8)
• Grand Rapids Montessori High School (9-12)
• North Park Montessori (PK-8)
• Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy (K-8)
• Southwest Community Campus Dual Immersion School (PK-8)
• Zoo School (6^th grade only)

Centers of Innovation

•  Innovation Central High School (9-12)
  • Academy of Business, Leadership and Entrepreneurship (9-12)
  • Academy of Design and Construction (9-12)
  • Academy of Health, Sciences and Technology (9-12)
  • Academy of Modern Engineering – formerly GRAPCEP (9-12)
• University Prep Academy (6-12)

What’s in Store for the Future?

Phase II of the GRPS Transformation plan includes potential new school choice options like an International Baccalaureate Arts Academy in partnership with Grand Rapids Symphony, GVSU, and other arts organizations; a Museum school in partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Museum; expansion of Zoo School; expansion of SWCC dual immersion to include a high school; expansion of C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy to include a high school; and more.

Parent University is designed to equip parents to become full partners in their children’s education and confident advocates of their children’s success. This unprecedented joint venture will offer classes in:

• effective parenting,
• personal growth and development,
• navigating the educational system,
• and health and wellness.

It was literally conceived and piloted by parents in the Hope Zones through the Believe to Become community planning process led by LINC Community Revitalization and Evolve! Consulting.

In 2012, several parent-leaders joined an expansive design team to create the framework and a robust offering of classes for Parent University. This design team of parents, aided by Evolve!, Believe 2 Become, Grand Rapids Public Schools, LINC Community Revitalization, Kent School Services Network, and Creative Change Mission, spent more than 100 hours putting the details together for the fall 2013 launch.

As articulated by the parents, the Parent University vision is to “Help parents be strong advocates of their children’s success.” The parent and community steering committee of Parent University welcomes everyone to join the ranks of Power Parents, helping children succeed.

Classes are free and open to all current and prospective GRPS parents and volunteers. To learn more or register for classes, visit www.grparentuniversity.org or call 819-2133.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do classes cost?
All Parent University classes are free of charge for current and prospective GRPS parents and GRPS volunteers.

Are the classes available in Spanish?
Many classes will be available in Spanish, as indicated in the course catalog and online enrollment course list. Translators may also be available for classes offered in English. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like a translator.

Is my registration information shared with anyone else?
Your information is not shared with anyone outside the GRPS district or Parent University program.

Is child care provided? Can I take my children along to the class?
Not unless special arrangements are made in advance. It is best for you and the other parents if children do not attend the classes.

Will I receive a confirmation notice?
You should receive a confirmation letter from the Parent University office within a week of registering. You will also receive a reminder notice a few days before the class. If you don’t please, call 819-2133.

What if I cannot attend after registering?
Please let us know immediately so we can cancel your registration. If a last-minute emergency makes it impossible for you to attend, we hope that you will attend the class at another time. Please call 819-2133 to cancel.

Do I need to take anything along?
All materials that you need will be supplied at the class, except for a pencil or pen for taking notes.

Do I get any credit for taking these classes?
At this time classes do not offer credit. We hope that future classes will provide GED credit, early college credit or job- training accreditation. A certificate of completion will be given to all class participants.

What if I have other questions?
You can call Kathy Curry at 616-819-2133 or Jan Wilkins at 616-819-1977 at any time.

Who are the teachers? Are they professionals?
All Parent University teachers are professionals in their field. In the future we hope to add their credentials to the course catalog.

When: 8am Thanksgiving Day Morning, Thursday, November 28

What: 5K Race and New Balance Grand Rapids Mini-Trot 1K race for children ages 10 and under.

Where: Downtown Grand Rapids

Cost: $25 October 1-November 26
$30 on-site registration day before and day of race
New Balance Grand Rapids Mini Trot – FREE

Participants receive a long sleeve tech shirt if registered before November 1st.

To register click here.

Special thanks to event sponsor 5/3 Bank and Mini Trot sponsor New Balance Grand Rapids!

Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal and Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell touted recent gains on the state’s “Top to Bottom” ranking of schools as further evidence of the positive improvements and overall transformation happening in our schools and the city as a whole.

In August, the Michigan Department of Education released the annual “Top to Bottom Ranking List” and GRPS saw significant improvements with 27 of 41 schools increasing their ranking, five schools working their way off the bottom 5% (Priority Schools) list, and four schools earning the coveted top 5% (Reward Schools) Ranking.

The most notable highlight, one that Superintendent Neal and Mayor Heartwell have both personally been working on for more than a year, is Union High School working its way off the so-called 5% (Priority Schools) list after three consecutive years. And notably, out from under the threat of a potential state takeover by the Education Achievement Authority.

“I want to especially thank the students, parents, teachers, school leaders, support staff and members of the Union High Governance Board for their hard work,” said Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. “I believe Union High and all our schools that made gains symbolize the positive trends and overall transformation happening throughout the district.”

Mayor George Heartwell, a member of the Union High Governance Board, added that there is much to applaud, but more work to do. “I am delighted with these results, particularly Union High. This is Grand Rapids and we can solve our local challenges, with local talent and local solutions. But make no mistake, we will not be satisfied or rest easy until all our students and schools are achieving their potential.”

Main highlights of the Top to Bottom list include:

• Union High removed from the bottom 5% (Priority) list after three consecutive years
• Alger Middle, Brookside Elementary, Mulick Park Elementary, and Westwood Middle also removed from the bottom 5% (Priority Schools) list.
• Shawmut Hills Elementary off the Focus Schools list
• 27 of 41 schools improved rankings on Top to Bottom list
• 4 schools rank in top 5% (Reward Schools) list: City High-Middle, Blandford, Zoo, and Center for Economicology

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: