Forest Hills

Admin Contact: 616-493-8633
Goals For Goodwillie Environmental School

• Use a natural setting to generate a stimulating learning environment that will allow students to acquaint themselves with and feel connected to the natural world.
• Create an environment that models “living lightly.”
• Integrate the Forest Hills 5th and 6th grade curriculum with an environmental theme.
• Nurture responsibility and independence through project based learning.
• Address the unique learning needs of individual children.
• Develop research and study skills through involvement in projects related to environmental awareness.
• Internalize the importance of cooperation and teamwork through team building activities.
• Develop leadership skills through activities that promote district wide environmental responsibility and awareness.
• Improve self-confidence, self-awareness and social awareness.
• Promote risk-taking and physical fitness through learning new outdoor/recreational skills.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/goodwillie/default.htm

Northern Trails 5/6 School
Admin Contact: 616-493-8990

Mission Statement: In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/northerntrails/default.htm

Central Woodlands 5/6 School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8790

Mission Statement: In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/centralwoodlands/default.htm

Thornapple Elementary School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8920

Mission Statement:
In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/thornapple/default.htm

Pine Ridge Elementary School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8910

School Goal: All students will master their grade level standards in reading, writing, language arts and math.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/pineridge/default.htm

Orchard View Elementary School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8930

Mission Statement: In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/orchardview/default.htm

Meadow Brook Elementary School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8740

Mission Statement: Helping, Sharing, Caring

Website: http://www.fhps.us/meadowbrook/default.html

Knapp Forest Elementary School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8980

Mission Statement: In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/knappforest/default.htm

Collins Elementary School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8900

Mission Statement: In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/collins/default.htm

Ada Vista Elementary School
Admin Contact: 616-493-8970

Website: http://www.fhps.us/adavista/default.htm

Our Spanish Immersion School is a magnet program available to Forest Hills elementary students. At our school, students are involved in experiences that prepare them for life in a global community. Beginning in kindergarten (or in the district’s tuition-based preschool), students are immersed the Spanish language.

Students learn the same curriculum as other students in the district, only they are taught in Spanish. Students learn to read in Spanish in first grade. English reading instruction begins in second grade and increases as the student progresses through subsequent grade levels. Expectations for communicating in Spanish also increase. Most children who attend this program can be expected to attain developmentally appropriate bilingualism.

Ada Elementary School
Admin Contact: 616-493-8940

Mission Statement: In partnership with our community, Forest Hills Public Schools will provide all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/ada/

Admin Contact: 616-493-8650

2008-09 Points of Pride:

* 40% of our students are recognized as Student of the Month.

* 73% of our students were on the Honor Roll or received Honorable Mention.

* The “Bug Roll” (Bring Up Grades) program continues to ensure that no student is left behind and receives support to strengthen academic performance, was successfully implemented throughout the school year.

* Our Media Center boasts the highest circulation of secondary schools in the district, inspiring students to read through the Reading Counts program, Book Bowl and Husky Quest reading competitions. The addition of Podcasting, Photostory, Wikis and iMovie software programs enhanced technological opportunities for our students.

* Seventh and eighth grade students participated in an “Earth Day” giving students an opportunity to learn about and engage in activities that focus on nature and the preservation of the environment. Activities included hands on experiences that included community service, teamwork, and the awareness of the balance between man and nature.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/northernhillsmiddle/default.htm

Eastern Middle School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8850

Eastern High School / Middle School —
A Tradition Since 2004

Eastern Middle School’s first year together allowed us to build strong traditions based upon academic excellence, philanthropy in our community, and respect for self and others. Our staff works together as teams of teachers in order to create smaller learning communities within the larger school population. Our students participated in an interdisciplinary study of Shackleton’s adventure in the Antarctic through leadership activities, team-building, and core class studies. As a middle level facility we are uniquely situated as a school within a school sharing our facilities with Eastern High School.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/easternmiddle/default.htm

Central Middle School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8750

Mission Statement: CMS offers a wide range of elective subjects matching student interest. French, Spanish, Chinese, ceramics and sculpture, interior design, aerodynamics, technology, computer graphics, sewing & crafts, and drama are just a few exploratory classes students may choose at CMS.

CMS staff is committed to the principle of inclusiveness. Wide ranges of programs are offered to integrate students with disabilities into general education classrooms for all or part of the day.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/centralmiddle/default.htm

Admin Contact: 616-493-8830

Mission Statement: Eastern High School opened its doors to students in August 2004. After the inaugural year, additional construction and an increased enrollment, the 2005-06 school year has begun with great excitement.

Following several years of study by our Demographics Task Force, including detailed community surveys and focus groups, our Board of Education approved the concept of a third high school to serve Forest Hills’ growing enrollment and placed it on the September, 2000 bond issue ballot. As with Central and Northern High Schools, the original plan did not include an athletic field, auditorium or second gym. However, citizens were given the opportunity to add this second phase with an additional ballot question in the February 2004 KISD special education election, and approved it by a wide margin. Most of the second phase was completed by August, 2005.

In recognizing the extensive community involvement in planning Eastern, Dr. J. Michael Washburn, Superintendent, said “We are very grateful to our residents and staff for their continued commitment to a promise made almost 50 years ago when 13 one-room schools consolidated to form Forest Hills. Eastern marks the completion of the 2000 bond issue projects which included 3 new schools (bringing our total to 17), a Fine Arts Center, food and transportation centers, and major renovations in all our schools, which were needed to serve our growing enrollment, now in excess of 9,000 students, and their families.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/easternhigh/default.htm

Northern High School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8600

Mission Statement: For over thirty years, students at Northern High have worked hard to achieve and explore their unique potential. In partnership with a supportive community, under the guidance of dedicated educators and staff, our students continue to carry on Forest Hills’ tradition of academic excellence. At Northern, we take pride in our diverse student population, and provide opportunities for all students to succeed in a comprehensive academic program, as well as a wide variety of sports and co-curricular activities.

We value the communication we have within our school, with our families and community and hope you find this website useful. The content covers a broad range of school related topics. For further questions, please feel free to contact us at 493-8600.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/northernhigh/default.htm

Central High School

Admin Contact: 616-493-8700

Mission Statement: Forest Hills Central High School has long been rated as a top performer in the areas of academic excellence, fine arts, and athletics. This is due to the exceptional accomplishments of our students, staff, and parents. Our reputation for academic excellence continues to thrive and lead Kent County and all of West Michigan. Our 1357 students in grades nine through twelve are taught by proven instructors, 80% of whom hold at least a master’s degree. For the second year in a row, based on multiple criteria, Grand Rapids Magazine ranked the Forest Hills Schools as the number one district in Kent County.

Why has our school been so successful? The answer lies in the spirit of cooperation and the partnerships formed between our school, the community, and the parents and students of Forest Hills Central High School. Please contact us if you have specific questions or comments and we will be happy to assist you.

Website: http://www.fhps.us/centralhigh/default.htm

Transition Center
Admin Contact: 616-493-8685

Website: http://www.fhps.us/listofSchools.htm

Alternative Pathways High School
Admin Contact: 616-493-8670

Website: http://www.fhps.us/listofSchools.htm