Superintendent's Office Excellence and Equity in Education

Superintendent's Message

Dear Kentwood Families and Community Members,

Kentwood Public Schools is truly a special place to serve. Our district has been recognized as one of the top five most diverse districts in the country.  In addition, we are recognized for excellence both in and out of the classroom. 

Consider the outcomes from the work of our teachers/staff members from last year alone:

• Home to the National History Teacher of the Year
• Multiple state champion athletes
• We The People State Champions
• Multiple ESports State Championships
• A record number of EKHS students passing the AP U.S. History exam! 

I focused the list on EKHS, but accomplishments in high school reflect the foundation laid by teachers and staff members over the course of their entire PK-12 time.  Every KPS community member is vital to student success.  We are on a shared journey to achieve our vision of Excellence and Equity in Education for each student in Kentwood Public Schools!

This is also a district that provides real-world experiences and innovative learning. A great example occurred last year when Bowen Elementary kindergarten and first grade students partnered with EKHS students to create monsters. The Bowen students designed and drew pictures of them and created the names and backstories of each monster.

The art students from East Kentwood High School brought these monsters to life, creating shiny, vibrant clay sculptures based on the Bowen students’ work. The culminating event involved Bowen students traveling to EK in late May to receive their monsters from their high school partners and to celebrate their learning at a fun-filled Monster Mash.  As a student, I dreamed about this type of education! 

What makes this story even more remarkable is that one of the driving forces behind this event was a student teacher from EKHS, senior Amelia Haywood. Amelia was in her second year as a student in EK’s Educators Rising course.  This program provides training and teaching opportunities for high school students interested in educational careers. Amelia collaborated with high school teachers on the idea, shared it with elementary teachers, and then worked to bring it to life. This is real-world learning on multiple levels! 

Our efforts as an educational community are aligned around the district’s strategic plan, now in its second year with four goals: 1) Establishing a Culture of Excellence for school climate and instruction; 2) Creating Equitable Opportunities and Outcomes for each student; 3) Ensuring Whole-Child Environments to meet social, emotional, and academic needs; and 4) Recruiting and retaining a High-Impact, Diverse Staff to serve and teach our students.

One highlight from the plan is the opening of our new, state-of-the-art Kentwood Public Schools Early Childhood Center Main Campus next to Townline Elementary.  This facility provides learning opportunities for our youngest learners.

Additionally, construction is underway on the new Hamilton Elementary and Early Childhood Center.  This will be the district’s 11th elementary school and is set to open for next school year. This new facility re-establishes an elementary school in our district’s northeast area utilizing an innovative instructional model, expanding our early childhood footprint, and better serving students throughout the district.

In the 2024-25 school year, we remain committed to innovative engagement with our students in safe and caring environments.  Our work is centered on the achievement of our students, both in and out of the classroom. Regardless of position, we are committed to seeing our work and daily tasks through the eyes of our students. They are the inspiration for all of us and the primary reason why Kentwood Public Schools is a destination district for families and staff alike.

We greatly appreciate your support and partnership in the education and care of our students, and we look forward to a successful school year ahead. Go Falcons!

Sincerely,