Big Rapids Public Schools

Last updated
Big Rapids Public Schools
Address
21034 15 Mile Road [1]
Big Rapids
, Mecosta , Michigan , 49307
United States
District information
GradesPre-Kindergarten-12
SuperintendentTim Haist [2]
Schools6 [3]
Budget$31,638,000 2021-2022 expenditures [3]
NCES District ID 2605780 [3]
Students and staff
Students2,383 (2023-2024) [3]
Teachers118.0 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024) [3]
Staff275.7 FTE (2023-2024) [3]
Student–teacher ratio20.19 (2023-2024) [3]
Other information
Website www.brps.org

Big Rapids Public Schools is a public school district in Mecosta County, Michigan. It serves Big Rapids, and parts of the townships of Big Rapids, Chippewa, Colfax, Grant, Green, and Martiny. [4] It also serves parts of Barton, Goodwell, Monroe, and Norwich townships in Newaygo County. [5]

Contents

History

A two-story brick school was built in Big Rapids in 1859. A school had been built in another district in Green Township the year prior. In 1868, the two districts merged, forming a union school district. The new union school, which contained a high school, opened in 1870, and by that year several grade schools had also been built in the city. [6]

By 1881, the union school was in danger of falling into Mitchell Creek. [6] A new high school was built that year and opened in January 1882. [7]

In fall 1925, a new high school opened as an addition to a school built around 1900. A bond issue to build four elementary schools passed in 1954. [8]

By 1960, the high school was dangerously overcrowded, and "housed 787 in grades 7 through 12. It was built for 400 to 500 pupils," according to the Grand Rapids Press. "Classrooms in both the old section and the newer addition built in 1924 are poorly lit and improperly ventilated... The odor of stale perspiration permeates the building." Where to build a new high school, if at all, was a matter of great controversy in Big Rapids. [8]

The district attempted to pass bond issues to replace the high school three times before one was approved by voters in 1962. A new high school, designed by architecture firm Daverman Associates of Grand Rapids, opened in February 1964. [9] The previous high school then became a middle school. [6]

The current high school opened in January 1998. Designed by GMB Architects and Engineers, it was featured in the 1999 Architectural Portfolio of American School & University magazine. [10] The The 1964 building is currently the district's middle school. [6]

Schools

Schools in Big Rapids Public Schools district [11] [3]
SchoolAddressNotes
Big Rapids High School 21175 15 Mile Road, Big RapidsGrades 9-12. Opened 1998. [6]
Big Rapids Middle School500 N. Warren, Big RapidsGrades 5–8. Opened 1964. [9]
Brookside Elementary210 Escott, Big RapidsGrades 1–4
Eastwood Elementary Early Childhood Center410 N. 3rd Avenue, Big RapidsGrades PreK-K
Riverview Elementary509 Willow, Big RapidsGrades 1–4
Big Rapids Virtual School14980 215th Avenue, Big RapidsOnline learning. Grades K-12.

References

  1. ↑ Big Rapids Public Schools. "Big Rapids Public Schools" . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ Big Rapids Public Schools. "Business Office" . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Big Rapids Public Schools". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Mecosta County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Newaygo County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson, Paula. "Public schools have a long tradition in Big Rapids". MIGenWeb. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Miscellaneous". Lansing Weekly Republican. January 4, 1882. p. 1.
  8. 1 2 Langley, Bill; Hines, Paul (August 14, 1960). "School dispute riles tempers in Big Rapids". Grand Rapids Press. p. 17.
  9. 1 2 Laggis, Alex (March 8, 1964). "High school showcase". Grand Rapids Press. p. 98.
  10. ↑ American School & University. "Big Rapids High School". Schooldesigns.com. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  11. ↑ Big Rapids Public Schools. "About Us" . Retrieved August 28, 2025.
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