Michigan school district to close 10 schools after falling enrollment

A Michigan public school district announced several of its schools will be closing due to low enrollment, leaving the district at around half of its capacity.

Grand Rapids Public Schools announced the intended closure of 10 schools on Monday, according to local NBC-affiliate Wood TV. The closures will take place over the next few years. 

Leon Hendrix, executive director of communications and external affairs for GRPS, explains that the closures are due to a significant drop in enrollment going back to 2008. 

“Right now, our district has the space to hold about 27,000 young people,” Hendrix said. “Right now, we have about 14,000 enrolled in our schools.” 

Christian schools in the area have seen an enrollment spike. 

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids increased total enrollment by 8.1% from 2021-22, according to Michigan Live. 

And NorthPointe Christian Schools has gone from 820 K-12 students before the pandemic to well over 1,000 students in 2022. 

According to GRPS leaders, the timetable for school closures is: 

• East Leonard Elementary, 2024: Students would move to Kent Hills Elementary or Coit Creative Arts Academy. 
• Stocking Elementary, 2024: Students would move to Harrison Park Academy or Sibley Elementary. 
• Southeast Career Pathways (Jefferson), 2025: Students would move to the former Siggsbee school when renovations are complete. 
• Grand Rapids Montessori Academy (Fountain), 2026: Students would move to the renovated space at the site currently used by Riverside Middle School. 
• North Park Early Childhood Center at Wellerwood, 2026: Students would move to the renovated space at the site currently used by Riverside Middle School. 
• Sherwood Park Global Studies Academy, 2026: Students would move to the renovated campus at Ken-O-Sha Park. 
• Brookside Elementary, 2026: Students would move to the renovated space that currently houses Alger Middle School. 
• Palmer Elementary, 2027: Students would move to Kent Hills Elementary or the renovated neighborhood school at the site currently being used by North Park Montessori. 
• Aberdeen Academy, 2027: PreK-5th grade students would move to Kent Hills Elementary or the renovated neighborhood school at the site currently being used by North Park Montessori. 6th-8th grade students would move to the new middle school program at the Innovation Central campus. 
• Westwood Middle School, 2028: Students would move to the new middle school program on the Union campus.