We are currently relocating to Grand Rapids and choosing an area with a great elementary program is essential. I have a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and a 2 year old, so I am also interested in any pre-k programs. What is a good school district for my children?
HI J.,
My children are 3 and 6 years old. We presently live and go to school in Kentwood. I love the Kentwood school district. There is so much offered for each child. We thought about moving however I chose not to because I wanted my daughter to stay in Challenger Elementary school.
Hope that helps,
Good Luck
R.
We live in Kentwood Public Schools district, my daughter attends Explorer and we like it. I hear great things about the other elementarys also, there are eleven in this district.
Hi J.!
My kids are at Kentwood Public ~ Explorer Elementary. My kids are 7 and 5 and we absolutely LOVE the school. I couldn't be happier on our decision to move into the Kentwood District.
Others that are fantastic are Rockford, Forest Hills, EGR, Grandville, Hudsonville, Zeeland and of course the private Christian and Catholic schools.
Interview the schools, don't be afraid to go in the schools and learn more about them. It's a big decision and not an easy one. You can also look for the Blue Ribbon Schools too. Good luck with your decision!
M.
J.-
I've lived in GR my entire life and although I don't have any personal experience (I went to Catholic school) the popular, high-rated areas are: Forest Hills, Northview, East GR, and Rockford. I hope that this gives you someplace to start.
-A.
Hi J.,
I am a single mom on a limited income, who doesn't receive any child support, and I STILL choose to pay the extra money that it costs to live in Hudsonville, because I believe that is the best school district around.
Good luck with your move!!!
T.
Hi J.,
I agree with the others that Kentwood, Rockford, etc are top rated school districts in the area. However, Rockford is HUGE and I have heard complaints from my friends that live there about the size.
I moved to Sparta, just north of Grand Rapids, to have my children attend their schools 2 years ago. It is a small district that has a lot of programs that other schools have lost due to budgetary cuts. I have been so impressed with what my daughter has learned. Not only academically, but as far a values. Each month they touch on integrity, compassion, pride or etc. They are encouraged to be caring and to "get caught" doing something nice for others.
There are so many good districts in the area. Take your time to look around. I just happen to love Sparta.
I love Sparta schools. I went and interviewed Cedar Springs, Kenowa Hills, Sparta, Comstock Park, and Kent City. I fell in love with Sparta. They just opened a new high school, redoing the old middle school to turn that into a elementary school next year and are closing their oldest school next year. The district is small and everyone seriously knows everyone. Just about every teacher and staff member at Ridgeview elementary knows me and my kids. They are really a terrific district to live in and I will not transfer my children out ever.
