GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Board of Education approved a vote on a proposal to build a new elementary school on the northeast side.
The proposal was approved by the board at a meeting Monday, making the new school the first one built on the northeast side since 1965.
“This is so exciting not only just for us as a district to be able to be talking about building something new. But to think about what it means for our young people," said Leon Hendrix, Executive Director of Communications for Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS).
The current Aberdeen Academy building is 95 years old. The project will cost an estimated $35 million. GRPS initially proposed to have future students of Aberdeen Academy and Palmer Elementary attend school at the renovated North Park Montessori. After hearing from parents GRPS said building a new elementary school makes more sense.
“One of the things that we heard over and over again, is a discussion around facilities wanting to see state of the art, top of the line up to date places for our young people to learn. The way we learned 100 years ago, when the current Aberdeen building was built is much different than the way we learned in 2024. And we want to make sure our building gives our scholars every opportunity to succeed" said Hendrix.
The plan will also close 10 buildings over the next four years. This process for reconstruction has gone on for the past two years but now that it’s been approved, not all parents agree with the new plan.
“They want to close down 10 schools to merge them, which they'll be even more overpopulated and underfunded. Just to save millions of dollars, but then they want to build a brand new school, when they just closed down 10 schools, it doesn't make any sense," said GRPS parent Stephanie Easterday.
Monday's vote follows a month-long feedback session where more than 200 parents, students and staff gave their input.
Since approved, the new school will be built behind the existing Aberdeen Academy which will be demolished after construction is complete. Construction should be done by 2027.
After the new school opens, the current Aberdeen building will be demolished to restore greenspace to the neighborhood.
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