Forest Hills Public Schools

Last updated

Forest Hills Public Schools
Address
620 Forest Hill Ave. SE [1]
Grand Rapids
, Kent , Michigan , 49546
United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesPreK–12 [2]
SuperintendentBen Kirby [3]
Schools18 [2]
BudgetOperating expenditures 2021-2022 $154,547,000 [2]
NCES District ID 2614610 [2]
Students and staff
Students9,065 (2023–2024) [2]
Teachers528.47 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024) [2]
Staff988.84 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024) [2]
Student–teacher ratio17.15 (2023-2024) [2]
Other information
Website www.fhps.net

Forest Hills Public Schools (FHPS) is a public school district in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. It serves portions of the townships of Ada, Cascade, Cannon and Grand Rapids and portions of the cities of Grand Rapids and Kentwood in Kent County. This area is roughly approximated for statistical purposes by the census-designated place Forest Hills. [4]

Contents

History

Several primary school districts east of Grand Rapids consolidated in 1956 to form the district. [5] The name Forest Hills was chosen by the school board in August 1956 from submissions from a citizens' advisory committee. The district began operation in fall 1956 with eight school buildings. [6]

Prior to consolidation, districts within the present district's boundaries sent students to other districts' high schools. The district's own first high school, now known as Forest Hills Central High School, opened in fall 1958. [7] Forest Hills Northern High School, designed by Battle Creek architect Guido A. Binda and Associates, [8] opened in fall 1972. [9] Forest Hills Eastern High School and Middle School opened in fall 2004 [10] and the architect was URS Corporation. [11]

In 1999, Goodwillie Environmental School was founded. With a donation from Jim and Mary Goodwillie Nelson, a permanent building opened in fall 2001, the first LEED-certified school in the world. [12] The school, which has about 100 students in fifth and sixth grades, [2] uses an application and lottery-based enrollment system to ensure students are compatible with the rustic outdoor-based curriculum. Unique activities at the school include an environmental-science focus, daily outdoor lunch, raising chickens, and several overnight camps. [13] [14]

District schools

Forest Hills Public Schools [15] [2]
SchoolAddressNotes
Elementary schools
Ada Elementary School731 Ada Drive SE, AdaGrades PreK-4
Ada Vista Elementary School7192 Bradfield SE, AdaGrades K-4. Spanish-language immersion school.
Collins Elementary School4368 Heather Lane SE, Grand RapidsGrades PreK-4
Knapp Forest Elementary School4243 Knapp Valley Dr., Grand RapidsGrades PreK-5
Meadow Brook Elementary School1450 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand RapidsGrades K-4
Orchard View Elementary School2770 Leffingwell Ave. NE, Grand RapidsGrades PreK-5
Pine Ridge Elementary School3250 Redford St. SE, Grand RapidsGrades PreK-4
Thornapple Elementary School6932 Bridgewater Dr. SE, Grand RapidsGrades PreK-4
Middle and intermediate schools
Central Woodlands 5/6 School400 Alta Dale Ave. SE, AdaGrades 5-6
Northern Trails 5/6 School3777 Leonard St. NE, Grand RapidsGrades 5-6
Goodwillie Environmental School8400 Two Mile Rd. NE, AdaGrades 5-6. Outdoor/nature education school. Enrollment based on application/lottery. [16]
Central Middle School5810 Ada Dr. SE, AdaGrades 7-8
Eastern Middle School2200 Pettis Ave. NE, AdaGrades 6-8. Shares a building with Forest Hills Eastern High School.
Northern Hills Middle School3775 Leonard St. NE, Grand RapidsGrades 7-8
High schools
Forest Hills Central High School 5901 Hall St. SE, Grand RapidsGrades 9-12
Forest Hills Northern High School 3801 Leonard St. NE, Grand RapidsGrades 9-12
Forest Hills Eastern High School 2200 Pettis Ave. NE, AdaGrades 9-12. Shares a building with Forest Hills Eastern Middle School.
Dr. J. Michael Washburn Campus
Transition Center640 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand RapidsProgram for young adults with developmental disabilities who have completed high school. [17]
Community and Aquatic Center660 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand RapidsPool and meeting center for community use, opened 1990. [18]
Fine Arts Center600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids1,200-seat auditorium in a stand-alone building. [19]


Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Forest Hills Public Schools" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Forest Hills Public Schools". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences.
  3. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Departments" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  4. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Kent County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  5. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "District" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Adopt name Forest Hills". Grand Rapids Press. August 24, 1956. p. 36.
  7. ↑ "Beyond Drawing". Grand Rapids Press. April 21, 1958. p. 25.
  8. ↑ Editorial staff of Forest Hills Northern High School. 73 Aurora Borealis Genesis Edition (1973 Forest Hills Northern High School yearbook. p. 1.
  9. ↑ Bowles, Bill (September 23, 1972). "Alarm to Ring on Oct. 3". Grand Rapids Press. p. 8A.
  10. ↑ Slager, Melissa (August 26, 2004). "A Year of Firsts". Grand Rapids Press. p. BB1.
  11. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "About Eastern High School" . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  12. ↑ Elevate Studio. "Goodwillie Environmental School" . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  13. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Goodwillie Environmental School" . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  14. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "History and Philosophy of the Goodwillie Environmental School" . Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  15. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Our Schools menu" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Goodwillie Environmental School" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  17. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Transition Center" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  18. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "Forest Hills Aquatic Center" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  19. ↑ Forest Hills Public Schools. "About the Fine Arts Center" . Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  20. ↑ "About Chris - Chris Afendoulis CPA for State Representative". June 24, 2016. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Chris Afendoulis, District 73 - Michigan House Republicans". August 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Still recovering and lacking a ride, Grand Rapids' Johnny Benson won't race again this season". mlive. August 18, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  23. ↑ Greg, Chrapek (February 10, 2017). "Basketball a family tradition for Kozal family at Forest Hills Northern". mlive. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Mitch Lyons Past Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards - databaseFootball.com". May 28, 2011. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  25. ↑ Van Gilder, Rachel; Doles, Jack (December 28, 2023). "Forest Hills Northern grad drafted to Major League Soccer". WOOD-TV .
  26. ↑ Gr, Steve Vedder | The; Press, Rapids (March 24, 2011). "Ex-local stars Steve Scheffler, David Kool to speak at Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast". mlive. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Retired NFL lineman Jared Veldheer back in Grand Rapids to host youth camp". mlive. July 11, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
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