Grand River Preparatory High School

"The school is overall really good aside from a few problems here and there. The school has some planning issues, and i think this can be attributed to the high staff turnover, whether it's planning for school events or pre-SAT stuff, its rough around the edges and could use some more thinking through. The teachers are where this school really shines, I've only had a few teachers all four years that weren't up to par, but aside from that I've had amazing teachers that want to see you succeed. School politics can be a bit right wing, so when it comes to school walkouts or being inclusive to certain clubs, the school isn't always very accommodating. If you decide to send your child to this school they'll have a blast with the teachers and students that surround them. I could be overly critical, but the school is still very young, and i can only see it getting better as it ages."

"I graduated Class of 2016 and that school changed me. The teachers supported me, they helped me but also go me to do the work by myself because of course i need to learn to do things without them and i almost didn't graduate if it weren't for some of the teachers i had, i miss them and they will always be a blessing to me. I don't care that they are hard on us with any rule because thats why rules are there to help us for the future. School is for learning not to see witch school has the best food, sports, or thing that are in it as long as theres teachers and stuff to do so you can learn, who care about anything else because i know for a fact that any other high school in Kentwood MI, i wouldn't graduate on time or get the gpa that i didn't know i would get. I started with a 1.3 and my gpa for senior year S1 was a 3.6 and S2 3.4 i wouldn't of done it without this school and i graduated as a proud student that can do anything and i will never give up because thats what i didn't do and my gpa was great for what i thought i would get"

"My experience here was terrible. I moved to this school for my junior year second semester 2016 from Central High School and I left this school to go back to CHS this year. That's how bad it was. Teachers in this school have no clue that students learn differently yet they expect them to learn how the teacher learns. They expect you to know the material even if you never learned the subject. One of my teacher wouldn't help me with my work because "well maybe i should ask for help more often", like how is that going to be any help when all you give out is packets and expect us to know the material roght away? Some of the teachers are very rude, my first hour teacher always gave me detentions for being not even a minute late to class, I drive to school I don't take the bus like everyone else, and he tells me that I should come early, well I cant because I live in Ada, not Kentwood.. People be driving so slow on purpose to make others late, yet the teachers don't understand that apparently. No wonder a lot of my friends that went to this school left, plus their "cafeteria" is apparently inside their old gymnasium, and the cafeteria tables are extremely dirty. They use napkins to clean the table instead of cleaning solutions and people be spilling their foods on the table and not cleaning themselves up. Should I mention you have to pay 5 dollars to have a one day out of uniform day? You can buy better things with that 5 dollars without giving it away to whatever they're going to do with the 5 dollars to be out of uniform..."

"Lots of people complain about this school but bottom line is, if you want to succeed here you will. It's not like other high schools because it is a COLLEGE PREP school. I will say this. I can see why some students would complain. There is no school spirit, the staff is often new and inexperienced, causing the classes to fall behind and the teaching technique to be...confusing. The rules that are enforced are at times a bit too much. The teachers are biased. Especially the performing and foundational/visual arts teachers. If you're a good student who does what you're supposed to do, it won't matter if the teacher isn't fond of you. You won't succeed unless you kiss up to them. But if you're looking to just get through high school and move on to bigger and better things, Grand River is the place for you. You go, do your work, and leave and you'll be fine. WHO CARES if they have a uniform? Lots of schools do. 5 minutes to get to class? That's plenty of time. Don't act like it's such a short amount of time. I've had time to leave class, use the bathroom, and make it to the other side of school for my class on time. It's not a big school you'll be okay I promise. And the reason the hallways are so crowded is because the student population is increasing every year. Give them a break. I grew up in Detroit and due to the fact that my parents weren't impressed with DPS I had to attend private schools. But I'm back now and having to attend DPS schools and if I could, I'd trade this in for GRP in a second. Be thankful for what you have and quit complaining."

"Been to schools in different countries, as well as other schools in the US, but this school gave the worst experience anyone could imagine. 1. Teachers seemed to think they were auditioning for roles in 90210, had juvenile attitudes, and were biased according to their favorite student personalities. 2. Though they offered AP classes, the quality of their teaching left much to be desired. 3.The counseling was so miserable it made me wonder why they tried at all. Apparently, if they don't have answers for your concerns, they will fabricate solutions that bite you in the end, and they will show no remorse for it... they might have exchange students, but they do not know how to deal with foreign students. 4. The faculty is the most unsympathetic... my sister was diagnosed with an illness that affected her joints and made it difficult for her to move from one point to another easily. Apart from giving her a locker further from her classes, and prohibiting the carrying of a bag for her stationary, they continuously punished her for arriving at class late (no more than 3 min) and refused to do anything about the situation even after the parents addressed the situation numerous times. I believe high school is a place where kids come to get valuable education, that not only permits them to pass the relevant tests, but stays with them for a long time after they've left, and acts as a foundation for many other lessons learned throughout life. GRP doesn't provide that, they overwhelm, and give enough to maybe pass the test, but never leave an impression that one learned something valuable. Social life is a huge thing in high school, and GRP, some how managed to screw that up us well...... i could go on and on about how this school is unworthy to be called a school, but all i want people to know is that points, and rank numbers of a school are not the only thing that determine how good a school is. after all, the students have to live with the experience for the rest of their lives. what good is a high school diploma that comes with bitter memories? If it matters anything to the parent, they would not bring their child to a school that represses and depresses, while promising good they don't deliver."