Following is a brief history of the high schools which exist in Grand Rapids as of May 2006, researched and prepared by volunteer processor Tat Field.

Absent from this list is Grand Rapids High School, which was an early and alternative name for Central High School. Grand Rapids High School was Grand Rapids first high school, graduating the first class in 1862. Graduation documents of that period found either in this collection or in Coll. 172, the Central High School / Grand Rapids High School Collection, refer to the students as graduating from “Grand Rapids High School”. This language changes briefly to “Central High School” in the early 1870's, but quickly reverts back to Grand Rapids High School, until about 1911.

Two factors appear to effect the referencing of the school during these early years.

1) A distinction between the institution “Grand Rapids High School”, and the building itself, which was originally called “Central School”. Originally Central School included all grades, then it evolved, and with a larger high school student body and a new building became the “Central High School Building”. 2) The same evolution occurred on the west side of the Grand River with the Union School, where for many years students in that neighborhood took their early high school years at the Union School, and then spent their final year at the Central School/Central High School building, graduating from Grand Rapids High School. It wasn't until around 1911 when both schools had their own newer buildings and Union graduated its own senior class, that references to “Grand Rapids High School” seem to finally and consistently disappear from use.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (319 Sheldon SE)

Catholic High School instruction began in 1878 in various locations. In the early 1900’s the need for a “union Catholic high school” was discussed, and by 1906 two schools were operating: one for boys at St. Andrew’s Academy (Sheldon & Maple), and one for girls at Sacred Heart Academy (69 Ransom). In 1921 the girls moved from the Sacred Heart Academy to a building on Sheldon across from the boys’ building, and became Girls' Catholic Central. A new building (1953-54) with increased capacity allowed the boys and girls to attend school together for the first time. As of 2006, the 1950’s building was still in use, with various additions and alterations.

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (421 Fountain NE)

The school started in 1855 with the construction of a 2 story stone building serving students of all ages. In 1859 high school grading was instituted, and in 1862 the first senior class was graduated: 13 girls (the only boy in the class was in the Union Army). In 1868 a new high school building was completed in the block bordered by Ransom, Lyon and Barclay, behind the “Stone school”. The building on Fountain Street was built in 1910, at which time the previous high school became a junior high. Major renovations of the old building were undertaken in 1979-80, plus an addition almost doubling the size of the school.

CITY HIGH SCHOOL (227 Bostwick NE)

Built in 1972 at 227 Bostwick NE. Renovated in 1992. Students from all over the school district can take advantage of an academic atmosphere and advanced classes offered at nearby Grand Rapids Community College.

COMSTOCK PARK HIGH SCHOOL (150 6-Mile Rd. NE)

Before 1925 students went to the Mill Creek School in Comstock Park through the 10th grade, then to Grand Rapids to finish high school. In 1925, construction of a high school began on 6 lots from the Lamoreaux farm plat. The street address was 109 School St. NE. 1927 was the first graduating class. A gym was added in late 1950’s. Another addition in 1968. A proposal for a new high school was rejected by one vote in 1974, but finally succeeded in the late 1980's. The new high school on 6-Mile Road opened in the fall of 1991.

CRESTON HIGH SCHOOL (1720 Plainfield NE)

Although the Creston Improvement Association began calling for a new high school in the north end in 1912, politics held up the opening until 1920. The school was located at “Plainfield near Knapp” (the current location, but numerical street addresses were not universal at that time). A substantial addition was made in 1928, followed by 20 years of decline due to depression and war. Another addition was completed in 1978.

EAST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (see also Grand Rapids Christian)

Opened in 1964 on Plymouth Ave. SE, and operated in tandem with Grand Rapids Central Christian High School until 1973, when the building on Franklin was sold and the two schools were consolidated at the Plymouth Ave. location as Grand Rapids Christian High School.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL (2211 Lake Dr. SE)

A schoolhouse was built on Wealthy St. in 1917 to house all grades. The first high school was built in 1928 on adjacent lots. That school later became Wealthy Elementary. A new high school was built on Lake Drive between Bagley and Lakeside in 1963.

EAST KENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL (6230 Kalamazoo SE)

Planning began in 1968 for a replacement to the existing Kentwood High School. The new building was completed in 1970, and the old Kentwood High (2674 44th St.) became Crestwood Middle School.

FOREST HILLS [CENTRAL] HIGH SCHOOL (5901 Hall SE)

The first graduating class was 1961. The school included 7th grade to 12th. It was designed in a “California style”, which necessitated walking outdoors to get from class to class. The school soon reached capacity, and a major addition was considered, but the board decided to acquire a new site, on which was constructed Forest Hills Northern High School..

FOREST HILLS EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL (2200 Pettis Ave. NE)

Following the precedent of opening high schools in new locations depending on residential development, Forest Hills Eastern High opened in 2004 and included junior high and high school.

FOREST HILLS NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL (3801 Leonard NE)

Opened in 1972 when Forest Hills (Central) High School had reached the limits of its capacity.

GEORGE A. DAVIS VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL

The 5th public high school in Grand Rapids, it was named for the president of Stow-Davis. The cornerstone was laid in 1922, and the school opened its doors in 1924. It closed in 1944 due to depression and war. An alumni group was formed in 1952 to promote the re-opening of the school but the effort failed.

GODWIN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL (50 35th St. SW)

In 1925 a new school was built at 3540 Division that included a 2 year high school. Major remodeling in 1957 included a pool and gym. A new high school on 35th St. was constructed in 1973.

GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (2300 Plymouth SE)

Opened in 1920 on the corner of Madison and Franklin (415 Franklin) in a building formerly used by Calvin College. First graduating class was 1923. A large new addition was constructed in 1931-1932, and a second addition in 1941. The old building was razed in 1945 and a new building constructed. In 1952 the Madison Elementary School building was purchased to house the 10th grade. The first gym was built and dedicated in 1957. By 1963, growth in enrollment caused the board to split up the school, creating East Christian High School, with the school on Franklin taking the name of Grand Rapids Central Christian High School. In 1973, the Central Christian High School building was sold, and the school on Plymouth (East Christian) became Grand Rapids Christian.

KELLOGGSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL (23 Jean SW)

The school district was organized in 1856. In 1936 a high school was built on Jean Street, where it continued to be located into the 21st century. The first graduating class was 1938. The school size was increased four times through 1959.

KENOWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL (3825 Hendershot NW)

In the early 1960s a school district was formed from Alpine and the North Walker area. Comstock Park declined to join. The high school was completed in 1963 and graduated its first class in 1964. The new high school on Hendershot was opened in Sept. 1999, and the old high school became a middle school.

KENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL [no longer in operation as of 1970]

The first school district organizational meeting was held in 1958. The name of Kentwood was adopted (it was the first use of the name – the city eventually was named after the school district). The high school opened in 1960. By 1968 the new East Kentwood High School was on the drawing board. When it opened in 1970, the high school students moved and the old high school became Crestwood Middle School (2674 44th St.).

MARYWOOD ACADEMY [no longer in operation as of 1974]

Started in 1899 when Dominican sisters established the Sacred Heart Academy at Fountain and Ransom. In 1917 the sisters purchased the land on East Fulton St., and Marywood Academy was completed in 1922. The school closed in 1974 due to declining enrollment, and the building was converted to use as a Dominican Center.

MOUNT MERCY [no longer in operation as of 1974]

Established in 1914 by the Sisters of Mercy at 1425 Bridge St. NW. The school closed in June, 1974, due to declining enrollment. The buildings have since been converted into a retirement home.

NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL (4451 Hunsberger Ave. NE)

The first school district in the area was organized in 1859 and was called Oakview. 100 years later it was reorganized as a consolidated district under the name of Northview. Up until the early 1960's, high school children attended Comstock Park High or Creston High. The first graduating class of Northview High School was 1965.

OTTAWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL (2055 Rosewood Ave. SE)

The contract for the building was let in 1924, and the dedication took place in 1926 (1050 Iroquois Dr. SE). A substantial addition was constructed in 1928. A new high school at 2055 Rosewood Ave. SE was built in 1972, renovated in 1993. The Iroquois Drive location became a middle school.

PARK SCHOOL (1150 Adams SE)

Built in 1955 as an alternative high school for pregnant teens, renovated in 1994.

ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL (1352 Buckingham SW)

The school district was organized in 1916. Rogers Junior/Senior High was built in 1955. In 1962 Rogers consolidated with Newhall and Wyoming Park and became part of the Wyoming School district.

SOUTH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (180 68th St. SW)

Opened in 1954 to fill the needs of the rapidly growing area south of Grand Rapids. Graduated 38 students in 1956.

SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

South High School (120 Hall St. SE) was dedicated and formally opened in 1916 and graduated its first class in 1918. The annexation of the Burton area to the city had increased enrollments, so it had been in the planning stages since Union began graduating high school students in 1912. New classrooms and a gym were added between 1921 and 1924, and in 1930 an auditorium. The class of 1968 was the last to graduate. Due primarily to racial integration efforts, South High School was closed (converted to a middle school) and the high school students were moved (bussed) to the other 3 high schools. As of 2006 the building was still standing but no longer used as a school.

UNION HIGH SCHOOL (1800 Tremont Blvd. NW)

The Union school began in 1855 as a 2-story stone building at Broadway and Turner (a 3rd story was added later). High school classes were begun in 1859, but for many years students went to Central to complete their high school education. As of 1867 there were 50 students at high school level. In 1875 a new 3-story school was constructed at the corner of Turner & Third Street. An addition in 1911 was primarily dedicated to high school work. The first class to graduate from Union High School was the class of 1912. A new Union High School was built in 1967, opening not long before the influx of students from the defunt South High School. An addition was constructed in 1980.

WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (1801 Bristol NW)

Opened in 1944 at 640 5th St. NW in St. Adalbert’s Parish to serve 9th and 10th grades. A new high school complex was built on Bristol NW in 1962. The building on 5th St. became St. Adalbert’s Catholic School.