Welcome to Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
(6-12)

Dear GRUPA Families and Community,

As principal of Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, it is my pleasure to welcome everyone to our page to learn more about who we are. It is our mission to help every child feel welcomed, connected, and a part of the GRUPA family.

At GRUPA we have dedicated staff who believe in creating a family centered environment that is focused on individualized learning plans. We value a strong partnership with parents/guardians, which is why we collaborate with caregivers through advisory, parent/scholar conferences, and our semester exhibitions. We feel it is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents/guardians, staff, scholars, and community partners care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth. Please feel free to contact me at 616-819-1010 for more information. We also encourage new families to set up a tour!

Principal
Kenyatta Hill-Hall

School Apps

Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy

512 Division Ave. S

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Phone: 616-819-1010

Fax: 616-819-1011

Kenyatta Hill-Hall

Principal

Jessalynn Johnson

Assistant Principal

Michael Reedy

Scholar Success Coordinator

School Hours

Grades 6-7
Breakfast 7:35 a.m.
Start Time 8:00 a.m.
Dismissal 2:43 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 10:45 a.m.

Grades 8-12
Breakfast 7:10 a.m.
Start Time 7:35 a.m.
Dismissal 2:18 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 10:20 a.m.

School Transparency

Annual Reports More...

School Safety Drills Reports More...

Our goal is to prepare scholars from college and career!

At Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (GRUPA), we believe that learning extends beyond the brick and mortar of our beautifully designed building. Therefore, the staff is committed to using innovative strategies such as place-based learning, integrated arts, and post-secondary learning experiences to ensure high scholar engagement in the learning process.

Scholars at GRUPA create an individualized learning plan with input from their advisor and caregiver(s). This plan guides their work and is based on the scholar's personal interests, skill level, maturity, and learning style. Scholars participate in interest-based projects in addition to their traditional classwork. With its smaller class sizes and incredibly caring staff, GRUPA is for scholars who value individualized learning and rigorous college and career preparation.

Points of Pride:

TEEN CEO Program (reverse job shadow, job shadow, internship)
Kent Career Technical Center
Peer mentoring
YMCA, Adventure Point, Kroc Center partnerships for 6th and 7th grade
8th grade camp
leadership opportunities
SAT preparation
early college classes
exhibitions
college visits
soft skills development (public speaking, problem solving, time management, etc.)
art integration
field trips
over 90% graduation rates
over 90% acceptance to post-secondary institutions

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.

GR University Preparatory Academy

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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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School News

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.