Forest Hills Public Schools


Forest Hills Public Schools is a public school district in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. It serves portions of the townships of Ada, Cascade, Cannon and Grand Rapids and portions of the cities of Grand Rapids and Kentwood in Kent County. This area is roughly approximated for statistical purposes by the census-designated place Forest Hills.
WWW fhps.net

History

Several primary school districts east of Grand Rapids consolidated in 1956 to form the district. The name Forest Hills was chosen by the school board in August 1956 from submissions from a citizens' advisory committee. The district began operation in fall 1956 with eight school buildings.
Prior to consolidation, districts within the present district's boundaries sent students to other districts' high schools. The district's own first high school, now known as Forest Hills Central High School, opened in fall 1958. Forest Hills Northern High School, designed by Battle Creek architect Guido A. Binda and Associates, opened in fall 1972. Forest Hills Eastern High School and Middle School opened in fall 2004 and the architect was URS Corporation.
In 1999, Goodwillie Environmental School was founded. With a donation from Jim and Mary Goodwillie Nelson, a permanent building opened in fall 2001, the first LEED-certified school in the world. The school, which has about 100 students in fifth and sixth grades, uses an application and lottery-based enrollment system to ensure students are compatible with the rustic outdoor-based curriculum. Unique activities at the school include an environmental-science focus, daily outdoor lunch, raising chickens, and several overnight camps.

Notable alumni