Grand Rapids Public Schools is getting the word out about its Annual School Choice Expo and Family Harvest Festival.
“We wanted to make it a fun family event, but also for parents to get that important school choice information.”
That’s John Helmholdt. Executive Director of Communications at Grand Rapids Public Schools. They’re prepping for this year’s School Choice Expo, which will be held on October 19th.
“Our applications are now available for our theme schools and centers of innovation and this is a chance for families to come out, meet with the teachers, learn all about those school choices, and also have a fun night…”
John says in addition to the Expo, they’ll be a hosting a Harvest Fest for kids to enjoy while parents glean the important school info.
“We’ve got free dinner. We’ve got kid’s games and activities. This whole Harvest festival, what you’d expect of any Harvest Festival, we have all those bells and whistles that go with that and it’s just a lot of fun.”
Helmholdt says Grand Rapids Public offers the largest selection of school choices in all of West Michigan.
“That’s a point of pride for us. And it’s not just the traditional neighborhood schools, it’s what we call specialty schools, theme schools that we call centers of innovation.”
Helmholdt adds the choices are plentiful and they have offerings that are unique, available only at GRPS:
“Probably our most famous center of innovation is our University Prep Academy. Or the Grand Rapids Public Museum School. These are some of the hottest demand, highest performing schools in the entire region, if not the entire state.”
There is an easy application process. It’s online now. Some schools have selection criteria. But Helmholdt says if you’re interested, you shouldn’t delay getting your application in.
The School Choice Expo and Family Harvest event is Thursday, October 19th from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Academic Center on Madison Avenue.
