News Summary
West Michigan schools are gearing up to welcome students back for the upcoming academic year, with the first day of classes set for August 18. Grand Rapids Public Schools and several other districts will resume in-person learning, marking a return to normalcy after pandemic disruptions. A detailed schedule highlights the various start dates for different schools, with only a couple of districts starting after Labor Day, allowing for a longer summer break for their students. Parents can check school calendars for specific timings as preparations continue for a smooth transition.
Grand Rapids, MI — West Michigan schools are preparing to welcome students back for the 2025-26 academic year, starting with the first day of classes on Monday, August 18. Several school districts in the region, including the largest, Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), will be reopening their doors to students this month.
GRPS, which had over 13,600 students enrolled last year, is one of five districts in the area returning for full school days on August 18. Other districts with full days will include Godwin Heights Public Schools, while East Grand Rapids and Grandville Public Schools will begin the year with half-days. The return to in-person learning marks another step towards normalcy as schools continue to recover from disruptions caused by the pandemic.
School Opening Schedule
In total, a variety of school districts will resume classes throughout August and into early September. In addition to GRPS and Godwin Heights, here is a breakdown of school opening dates:
- August 18: East Grand Rapids Public Schools (half day), Grandville Public Schools (half day), Godfrey-Lee Public Schools (full day), Godwin Heights Public Schools (full day).
- August 19: Lowell Area Schools (full day), Kelloggsville Public Schools (full day), Wyoming Public Schools (half day).
- August 20: Cedar Springs Public Schools (full day), Forest Hills Public Schools (full day), Hamilton Community Schools (full day), Hudsonville Public Schools (half day), Jenison Public Schools (full day), Sparta Area Schools (full day).
- August 21: Holland Public Schools (half day), West Ottawa Public Schools (full day).
- August 25: Allendale Public Schools (half day), Caledonia Community Schools (full day), Coopersville Area Public Schools (full day), Kenowa Hills Public Schools (full day), Kent City Community Schools (full day), Kentwood Public Schools (full day), Northview Public Schools (full day), Rockford Public Schools (full day), Spring Lake Public Schools (half day), Thornapple Kellogg Public Schools (full day).
- August 26: Saugatuck Public Schools (full day).
- August 27: Byron Center Public Schools (full day), Zeeland Public Schools (full day).
- September 2: Comstock Park Public Schools (full day), Grand Haven Area Public Schools (full day).
Post-Labor Day Start for Two Districts
Notably, only two out of 31 school districts across Kent and Ottawa Intermediate School Districts will start their school year after Labor Day, with their classes beginning on September 2. These districts, Comstock Park and Grand Haven, are taking advantage of Michigan’s law that allows them to start later, which permits their students to enjoy a longer summer break. In recent years, many West Michigan districts have begun their academic year in early August, often due to waivers granted by the state.
Information for Parents
Parents and guardians can find more information regarding specific school start and end times by accessing district calendars available through the respective school websites. As students prepare for the upcoming school year, schools, parents, and communities are coming together to ensure a smooth transition back to the classroom environment.
Conclusion
Overall, the reopening schedule across West Michigan schools highlights a return to traditional academic rhythms following the challenges posed in previous years. As the first day of school approaches, families are gearing up for a new year filled with educational opportunities.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: First Day of School Schedule
- Wikipedia: School Year
- Fox 17: GRPS Contract Negotiations
- Google Search: Grand Rapids Public Schools
- WZZM 13: What’s New at GRPS
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- WOOD TV: Back to School Spending
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
