GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Board of Education has approved changes to the renovation and relocation of several buildings in the district.
It is part of the district's "Reimagine" facility plan.
On Monday night, it decided to delay the relocation of Alger Middle School to Ottawa Hills High School by one year. That means the move will now take place in the fall of 2026. That pushes back by one year the move of Brookside Elementary into the building Alger Middle School currently occupies, until the fall of 2027. Being moved up a year are renovations to Kent Hills Elementary School, now scheduled to be finished in 2026 - and to the City High Middle School Performing Arts Center, which will be completed in 2026.
Here are more details about the updated Facilities Plan in a GRPS news release:
The GRPS administrative team, in conjunction with school leaders, recommended this shift to ensure that the planned merger is successful for our scholars and staff.
GRPS is deeply proud of the growth happening at both Ottawa Hills High School and Alger Middle School. Staffing numbers are at levels not seen in more than a decade. Several new programs and initiatives have launched, creating new opportunities for our scholars. GRPS leaders believe an additional school year of continued culture-building will create a more successful joining of the two school communities.
With this new approved timeline, the renovations planned to convert the Alger building into an elementary school will happen while the school is empty during the 2026-27 school year. This means Brookside Elementary scholars and staff will now move into their new home for the 2027-28 school year, one year later than previously planned.
With this timeline adjustment, two other projects will happen earlier than expected.
Renovations at Kent Hills Elementary School, GRPS’ fastest-growing school in the district, will now be completed in 2026, one year earlier than previously planned. Renovations at Kent Hills include bathroom improvements, lighting upgrades, and building finishes.
Renovations to the City High Middle School Performing Arts Center will also be completed in 2026, one year earlier than previously planned. This will be the third performing arts center renovation completed as part of the Reimagine GRPS Bond, following projects at Innovation Central High School and Ottawa Hills High School expected to be completed in 2025.
You can find an overview of all projects in the Reimagine GRPS Facility Plan anytime on our website.
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Alger Middle School will move to Ottawa Hills High School for the 2026-'27 school year instead of moving next fall. https://grps.org/our-district/district-news/?StoryId=1558Photo: Source: GRPS