Grand Rapids Public Schools Announces Grant and High School Rally

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Grand Rapids Public Schools today announced a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help build community support for its high school redesign efforts.

At a special news conference this afternoon, Superintendent Bert Bleke announced that the Grand Rapids Public Schools will receive $500,000 to aid in planning the redesign of its high schools.

”We are thrilled that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support us as we develop a plan for smaller, more effective high schools,” said Superintendent Bleke.  “This grant will fuel this vital, community effort.  To have a strong community we need strong public schools and high schools that prepare all students for success as adults.”

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports school districts and nonprofit organizations that are developing new small high schools or transforming existing schools into smaller, more effective learning environments to help all students achieve.  The Grand Rapids Public Schools, as part of its District Action Plan for Learning, has been studying its secondary (grades 6-12) schools for the past year.

“We have a responsibility to provide high-quality educational options for all our youth,” said Ray McNulty, education program director for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  “This planning grant will enable the Grand Rapids Public Schools to develop community leadership and build support for new, high-quality, smaller high schools.  It is a positive step toward creating academically rigorous and relationship driven high schools in Grand Rapids.”

Already, the Grand Rapids Public Schools has introduced sixth and ninth grade academies throughout the district as well as block scheduling in all high schools.

“We know we need to better prepare our students for success in the 21st Century.  The current high school model was created for rural learners,” explains Bleke.  “We believe that we need smaller, relationship-based high schools, a rigorous and relevant curriculum, and successful instructional models.  The next step is to involve the community in the planning process.”

The community is invited to help design the “new” high schools at a “Rally for Redesign” on Saturday, September 6, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Creston High School gymnasium.  Approximately 500 community members, parents, staff members and students are expected to attend.  The featured speaker is Dr. Willard Daggett from the International Center for Leadership in Education.

Bleke says that at the rally, the community will be invited to take an active role in reviewing instructional models and planning for these smaller high schools. “We are very excited by the possibilities that this holds for our students and our community,” he added.