Stand Out Schools in Grand Rapids
With the size of Grand Rapids, it’s no surprise that local schools are overflowing with top-rated extra curriculars, stand out specialty programs and inspiring staff at area schools. The real question is, who shines above the rest?
We asked our readers to weigh in and cast votes for their favorites for the Best of Grand Rapids, school edition.
Cue the theater music, dust off those football uniforms and band instruments and get those clapping hands ready for a round of applause for our educators. Votes are officially in!
best of gr schools
Top Voted Academic Programs, Extra Curriculars & Most Inspiring Principals
We asked our readers to vote in categories including schools with the best academic and/or tutoring programs, best high school football, theater and band programs, best elementary language immersion and most inspiring principal.
Give us your best drum roll and read on for the best of school winners for 2025!
Top Voted Tutoring and Academic Programs
Winner: Mathnasium – Grandville
1. Mathnasium – Grandville
2. Mathnasium – Cascade
3. Mathnasium – Northview
4. Kumon Math and Reading Center of Grand Rapids – North
5. Sylvan Learning of Grand Rapids
6. EQPD (GVSU K-12 Connect)
7. Streams
8. The Tutoring Center – Wyoming
9. Reading Success Plus
10. Outside the Box Creative Tutoring
Top Voted Elementary Language Immersion Program
Winner: Los Lagos Bilingual Academy (formerly West Ottawa Dual Language Spanish Immersion)
1. Los Lagos Bilingual Academy (formerly West Ottawa Dual Language Spanish Immersion)
2. Ada Vista Elementary School (Forest Hills Public Schools)
3. NorthPointe Christian
4. El Puente Elementary (Jenison Public Schools)
5. Roguewood Elementary School (Rockford Public Schools)
6. Grand Rapids Christian
6. Grandville Calvin Christian
8. Southwest Community Campus (GRPS)
9. Meadow Brook Elementary (Forest Hills Public Schools)
9. Zeeland Christian
Top Voted High School Band Program
Winner: Jenison High School
1. Jenison High School
2. Rockford High School
3. Caledonia High School
4. Forest Hills Central High School
5. Byron Center High School
5. Northview High School
7. Kenowa Hills High School
8. East Grand Rapids High School
9. Grandville High School
10. Grandville Calvin Christian High School
Top Voted High School Football Program
Winner: Hudsonville High School
1. Hudsonville High School
2. Rockford High School
3. Caledonia High School
3. Forest Hills Central High School
5. Lowell High School
6. Byron Center High School
7. East Grand Rapids High School
7. West Catholic High School
9. Unity Christian High School
10. Catholic Central High School
10. South Christian High School
Top Voted High School Theater Program
Winners: Jenison High School & Rockford High School
1. Jenison High School
1. Rockford High School
3. Caledonia High School
4. Byron Center High School
5. Forest Hills Northern High School
6. Homeschool Performing Arts
6. Grand Rapids Christian High School
8. East Grand Rapids High School
9. Unity Christian High School
10. Grandville Calvin Christian High School
Top Voted Inspiring Principal
Winner: Shawn Veitch – Dutton Elementary
1. Shawn Veitch – Dutton Elementary
2. Scott Carpenter- Cedar Trails Elementary School
3. Gary Warners – Living Stones Academy
4. Melanie McClure – Hudsonville 5/6 Building at Georgetown
5. Luke Verbeek – Rosewood Elementary School
6. Connor O’Connell – Jenison Wilderness Academy
7. Karen Vanderberg – NorthPointe Christian Elementary School & Preschool
8. Heather Fix – Thornapple Elementary School
9. Amy Forman – Page Elementary School
10. Nathan Walters – Emmons Lake Elementary
A Round of Applause for GR Schools
Whether you’re new to the area and looking for the best to fit your student’s interests or a proud parent cheering from the sidelines, there’s no denying Grand Rapids area schools are something special.
With so many outstanding programs and inspiring leaders making our top 10 list, there’s plenty to celebrate.
So go ahead, give your home-team, extra curricular star students and dedicated leaders a round of applause – it’s well deserved!
