We proudly offer No-Cost, High-Quality PreK for All

Welcome to Dickinson Academy (PK-8)

I am deeply proud to be the principal of Dickinson Academy Cultural Center. These walls give our students knowledge and represent an incredibly colorful mosaic of traditions, languages, and worldviews that add so much value to our education.

Our classrooms resonate with a mix of multiculturalism as each student speaks one of 12 different languages. The languages spoken further demonstrate the distinctiveness and uniqueness of our school community. Our diversity is more than mere statistics; it defines our very being.

Our staff, hailing from various backgrounds and possessing diverse skills, are the backbone of our school. We are a united front, always vigilant to ensure that every student is seen, heard, and respected, fostering an environment of inclusivity and respect.

“We are Stronger and Better Together.”

Principal
Cindy Rivera Madera

School Apps

Dickinson Academy

448 Dickinson St. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Phone: 616-819-2505

Fax: 616-819-2502

Cindy Rivera Madera

Principal

Thomas James

Scholar Success Coordinator

Maria Mateo

Head Secretary

School Hours

Breakfast 8:10 a.m.
Start Time 8:30 a.m.
Dismissal 3:28 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 11:40 a.m.

School Transparency

Annual Reports More...

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KSSN

We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator

At Dickinson Academy, we foster a supportive environment where everyone develops into confident, resourceful, and responsible members of our school, neighborhood, and global community.

Dickinson Academy strives to build a nurturing, cohesive, and student-focused community by facilitating meaningful interactions inside and outside the classroom. Our dedication to intentional and relevant teaching ensures that every student can excel academically and socially.

We value strong collaborations between our school, families, and the broader community. To support this, we collaborate closely with the Kent Schools Services Network. As a Cultural Center, we also provide English as a Second Language (ESL) services through our experienced, bilingual staff.

Meet Our Principal

Dickinson Academy Points of Pride

School Assemblies
Scholar leadership groups
Field trips and experiential learning opportunities
Cultural recognitions and celebrations
Spirit and Inclusion Weeks
Family and Academic Nights
STEM Greenhouse programming
After school tutoring programs
Social Emotional Learning

We have incorporated distance learning for years and are poised to be a leader in the district as a blended model of new technologies and old practices, giving our students the best of both worlds. Our 1-to-1 student technology device approach ensures that every student has the opportunity to learn inside and outside the classroom.

Dickinson Academy was built in 2008 and is designed for academic excellence. Special features include hallway design that encourages group learning to acoustic engineering that makes it easier to hear teachers in the classroom. It is located in Southeast Grand Rapids.

Dickinson Academy Photo Tour

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Events

6 Aug
- Southeast Career Pathways Ribbon Cutting & Open House 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
  
  Southeast Career Pathways Ribbon Cutting & Open House
  
  Date: Aug 6
  
  Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
  
  Location: 1250 Sigsbee St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
18 Aug
- First Day of 2025-2026 School Year
  
  First Day of 2025-2026 School Year
  
  Date: Aug 18
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
25 Aug
- First Day of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
  
  First Day of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
  
  Date: Aug 25
  
  Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

View School Calendar

‹ August 2025 ›

Aug 6

4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Southeast Career Pathways Ribbon Cutting & Open House

Location: 1250 Sigsbee St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Aug 18

First Day of 2025-2026 School Year

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

Aug 25

First Day of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)

Calendar: GRPS District Calendar

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Fox 17 Online: Grand Rapids high school seniors win national film contest July 31, 2025

Two seniors at Grand Rapids City High School won a nationwide student film contest for their short film about food insecurity, earning them $1,000 and a trip to Hollywood.

Coming up short—Tigers' outfielder learns new position on the fly for World Series July 30, 2025

He was a kid from southeast Grand Rapids who spent his childhood playing sandlot baseball on the open fields along 28th Street—then just a quiet two-lane road.

Class of 2025 grads preparing for next chapter July 28, 2025

Two members of the Class of 2025, who dual-enrolled while in high school at GRPS, are featured as part of Western Michigan University's 'First Year Faces' series.