Blandford School: Top Environmental School in Grand Rapids (2026 List)

About Blandford School

Blandford School, located at 3143 Milo St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534, serves students in grade 6 as part of its environmental education program. It is a public school operating within Grand Rapids Public Schools with a strong outdoor and hands-on learning focus. Enrollment currently stands at 60 students, with a student-teacher ratio close to 23:1. School demographics show 60% boys and 40% girls. Recent assessment data showed about 55% of students were proficient in math, while nearly 82% met proficiency standards in reading. Students also participate in environmental studies, outdoor learning, leadership programs, arts courses and field-based projects throughout the school year in addition to academics. The campus is especially known for connecting classroom instruction with nature-focused experiences across its wooded property and learning spaces. Graduates often continue into Grand Rapids Public Schools' high school pathways after completing the middle grades. Homes around the Milo Street area often range from the upper-$200Ks into the mid-$500Ks, with pricing influenced by lot size and nearby suburban development. Blandford School continues drawing interest from families exploring top middle schools in Michigan with a more nature-centered learning environment.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 55%

Reading 82%

State average proficiency is 55% in Math and 82% in Reading.

3

Full-time Teachers

23 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

60

Total Students

$41645

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 85%

Asian 0%

Hispanic 11.67%

Black 0%

Two+ Races 3.33%

Native Am. 0%

White

85%

Asian

0%

Hispanic

11.67%

Black

0%

Two+ Races

3.33%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 60

40%

24 Female

60%

36 Male

Student Population

60 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 23 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Blandford School Contact Information

Address

3143 MILO ST NW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI, 49534

View on Map

Phone

(616) 819-2555

Call Now

Website

https://grps.org/

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:15 AM - 2:45 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:00 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Blandford School’s Spring Camp – The Blandford program will run May 26 – June 2, 2026. After the Memorial Day holiday, kids move into specialty late-spring outdoor learning camps that include immersive educational experiences. The program combined outdoor adventures with experiential environmental education. The camps build on the school’s commitment to experiential education and nature-based programs.

FAQ

Q1. What makes Blandford School different from a traditional middle school?

Ans. Environmental Education at Blandford School Blandford School offers environmental education through outdoor learning experiences, nature-based projects and hands-on field activities.

Q2. Do students at Blandford School spend time outdoors regularly?

Ans. Yes. Learning at Blandford School is a big part of outdoor instruction throughout the school year and the changing seasons.

Q3. What kinds of topics are explored at Blandford School?

Ans. Students study ecology, conservation, wildlife, and environmental systems through classroom work and outdoor investigations.

Q4. Are field experiences important at Blandford School?

Ans. Yes. Field studies and environmental exploration activities are regular aspects of student learning at Blandford School.

Q5. What school experiences are most memorable at Blandford School?

Ans. Many families think of Blandford School as a place for outdoor campus activities, environmental projects, and seasonal learning events.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say