Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

409 LAFAYETTE AVE SE
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503

www.childdiscoverycenter.org

Charter School 287 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (GRCDC) is a tuition-free public charter school serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Located in the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood, the school is deeply committed to a constructivist, project-based learning model. This approach prioritizes inquiry, critical thinking, and collaboration, encouraging students to take an active role in their education by exploring topics that are meaningful and relevant to their personal experiences and the broader community.

Central to the school's philosophy is the integration of the arts, social-emotional learning, and a strong partnership with families. By maintaining smaller class sizes and fostering a close-knit, inclusive environment, the GRCDC emphasizes the development of the "whole child," aiming to nurture both academic excellence and personal character. With a focus on democratic participation and community engagement, the school prepares its students not only for academic success but also to become thoughtful, contributing members of society.

287

Total Students

16.9

Full-Time Teachers

17.0

Student/Teacher Ratio

29.3%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Demographic	Student Count
White	190
Hispanic	38
Black	35
Two or More	22
American Indian	2

White
190 (66.2%)
Hispanic
38 (13.2%)
Black
35 (12.2%)
Two or More
22 (7.7%)
American Indian
2 (0.7%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Phone:	(616)459-0330
Website:	http://www.childdiscoverycenter.org
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	287
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	16.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	17.0
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	74
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	10

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 50

Grade 1 50

Grade 2 49

Grade 3 50

Grade 4 46

Grade 5 42