Mary A. White Transition

Two students playing on the pavement of a playground with a lunchsupervisor

Beginning next school year, Mary A. White Elementary will be converted into a nature-based early learning center, serving children ages 3 through 5.  This change came in response to enrollment numbers that have declined by roughly 1,000 students over the past ten years and are projected to continue declining over the next five. 

Following the plan, current Mary A. White students will be welcomed into one of three schools next year based on their home address.  

  • Rosy Mound Elementary: Mary A. White students living west of Beacon Boulevard (US-31)

  • Peach Plains Elementary: Mary A. White students living on the north side of River Haven (Springbrook Dr. and north, plus Oaktree)

  • Robinson Elementary: Mary A. White students living on the south side of River Haven (Winding Creek Dr. and south)

  • Current Mary A. White families attending through in-district School of Choice will be assigned based on residency and may pursue school of choice options. Those attending through out-of-district School of Choice are encouraged to apply for one of our six other outstanding elementary schools as well.

Current Mary A. White families will be granted first priority in the district’s School of Choice process if they wish to attend a different GHAPS school. Families who are unsure which school their student will be assigned to can check using our interactive district boundary map, which has been updated to reflect these changes, or call our main office at 616-850-5000.

Most Recent Update

The district has had a number of committees formed and meeting regularly to work through the details of everything from staffing to transportation for next school year. Mary A. White staff and families recently received a detailed communication including the following key updates:

  • School of Choice: We are pleased to share that all Mary A. White School of Choice requests have been accepted for next school year. 

  • Staffing: All Mary A. White teachers have been placed in their new GHAPS schools for next year. Some of the placements for our support staff are still in the works and are being determined based on building needs. Staffing for next year has been a top priority through this process, and we remain committed to ensuring all Mary A. White staff have opportunities for GHAPS employment next year.

  • Transportation: Our transportation department has been working on plans for anticipated route needs next school year, and is looking at traffic flow options for pick-up and drop-off procedures as well. Given the changing needs for next school year, they are working on getting the annual transportation form process started early this year - expect more information soon! 

  • School Schedules: We’ve received several questions about the hours of the early learning center next school year. Our Transportation and Instructional Services departments are working on a plan to ensure that families and school buses are able to drop students off at the early learning center with enough time to make it to our other schools for drop-off as well.

Click here to view the full update.

New Early Learning Center

Young Fives students walking up a hill in the woods together, carrying buckets

Beginning next school year, the following programs will be hosted at the site of Mary A. White Elementary:

The new early childhood center will expand and improve preschool opportunities for Grand Haven area families while deepening a partnership with the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC Network) to create impactful learning experiences for children. Through the partnership, GHAPS will maintain ownership of the property and operation of the program, including staffing and leadership. The ODC will create outdoor classrooms and learning environments, restore the habitat on site, and provide support services such as coaching, planning, training, mentorship, co-teaching, parent education classes, and more.

Read more about the ODC Network partnership here.

Visit www.GHAPS.org/enroll to begin the online enrollment process.

Questions?

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions document linked here.

If you have questions regarding this transition, please feel free to submit them in one of the following ways: