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Transparency Report
KENOWA HILLS CENTRAL RECOGNIZED AMONG MICHIGAN'S BEST
November 12, 2025
Grand Rapids, MI – Kenowa Hills Public Schools is proud to announce that Kenowa Hills Central Elementary has been named one of the Best Elementary Schools in the 2026 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. This honor recognizes Central Elementary’s continued commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, a supportive school culture, and strong partnerships with families.
U.S. News & World Report evaluates schools using multiple factors to provide a clear picture of school quality, including student achievement on state assessments and other indicators of academic excellence and growth.
“This recognition is a wonderful celebration of our students and staff,” said Abby Wiseman, Principal of Central Elementary, who began her role at the start of the 2025–26 school year. “In my first months at Central, I’ve seen a joyful, student-centered approach in every classroom. Our teachers work incredibly hard to meet individual needs, our students rise to every challenge, and our families partner with us every step of the way. Being named among the best affirms the strong foundation our community has built together.”
Superintendent Gerald Hopkins highlighted how the recognition reflects the district’s focus on meaningful learning from preschool to year 13 in our Middle College Program. “This honor for Central Elementary is part of a broader story at Kenowa Hills,” Hopkins said. “From our earliest grades through graduation and beyond, we are committed to fostering rigorous, caring, and student-centered schools. Earlier this fall, Kenowa Hills High School was again recognized among Michigan’s best in the U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, and today’s news shows how excellence is taking root across our entire district.”
Central Elementary’s recognition underscores priorities shared across Kenowa Hills Public Schools: engaging, real-world learning experiences; a culture of belonging where every student is valued and supported; and a relentless focus on growth for students and staff alike.
“We celebrate this milestone not as a finish line, but as motivation,” Wiseman added. “We’ll continue to build on what’s working, strong instruction, collaboration, and family partnerships, so every student at Central has the opportunity to excel and achieve their full potential.”
Hopkins echoed that momentum: “Congratulations to Principal Wiseman and Assistant Principal Bernard, the entire Central team, our students, and families. I want to thank Dr. Cherie Horner as well, who was the Central Elementary Principal for the past 11 years before becoming our Director of Human Resources. Dr. Horner is an instrumental part of this amazing achievement. This recognition belongs to the entire Kenowa Hills community, and we’re excited to keep moving forward together.”
KENOWA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZED AMONG MICHIGAN'S BEST
September 4, 2025
Grand Rapids, MI – Kenowa Hills High School has once again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best high schools. The 2025–2026 Best High Schools rankings place Kenowa Hills among the top high schools in Michigan, reaffirming the district’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student achievement.
The annual U.S. News rankings evaluate schools on multiple factors, including graduation rates, Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities, state assessment performance, and overall school quality. Kenowa Hills High School’s consistent dedication to supporting students through a rigorous, caring, and student-centered learning environment has resulted in this continued recognition.
“This recognition is another proud moment for the Knights community,” said Kenowa Hills Superintendent Gerald Hopkins. “It reflects years of hard work by our students, staff, and families. The educational journeys of our students begin well before high school and extend far beyond graduation, and this honor is a reflection of our community’s empowerment and commitment to success at every stage.”
Kenowa Hills High School Principal Nathan Robrahn echoed the sentiment: “Every day, I am humbled by the determination and character of our students and the care our teachers and staff provide. This ranking is a well-deserved celebration of the excellence we see daily within our halls. It is an honor to have our school recognized on such a prominent stage, and I could not be more proud of our Knights.”
KENOWA HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ONCE AGAIN RECOGNIZED AS CAPTURING KIDS’ HEARTS NATIONAL SHOWCASE SCHOOLS
April 22, 2026
Grand Rapids, MI – Kenowa Hills Public Schools is proud to announce that all three of its elementary buildings—Alpine, Central, and Zinser—have once again been named Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) National Showcase Schools for the 2025–2026 school year.
This continued recognition highlights the district’s deep commitment to building strong relationships, creating safe and supportive environments, and ensuring every student feels valued every day.
This year’s honors mark:
The National Showcase Schools designation, awarded by Flippen Group, is based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes on-site visits, implementation assessments, and feedback from students, staff, and families. Schools recognized with this honor demonstrate a sustained commitment to fostering a culture where relationships drive student success.
“At Kenowa Hills, we have always believed that strong relationships are the foundation for learning,” said Superintendent Jerry Hopkins, who will retire at the end of June after 15 years of service to the district. “To see all three of our elementary schools recognized once again—especially with the consistency shown at all three buildings—is something our entire community can be proud of. It speaks to the heart of our educators and the intentional culture they create for students every single day.”
At the core of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts framework is a simple but powerful belief: when you capture a child’s heart, you open their mind. Through relationship-building strategies, character development, and a focus on social-emotional well-being, educators are equipped to create classrooms where students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.
Nothing is more precious than your children. Find out how we work to ensure students feel safe, valued, and that they belong.
Safety and Security Commitment to Anti-Bullying Creating Inclusive Environments Safety DrillsLife is busy. At Kenowa Hills, we partner with families to make life easier.
TRANSPORTATION BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CAREOur Personal Mastery educational experience has redefined education and has gained attention around the state and nation. Personal Mastery provides your child with personalized attention from teachers. Instead of teaching to a broad group of students without an understanding of their individual strengths and weaknesses, Personal Mastery allows teachers to interact with students individually or in small groups to help them better address their weaknesses. In this way, we strive to help your child reach their full potential.
PERSONAL MASTERY SPECIAL EDUCATION ENGLISH LEARNERS TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOMAt the home of the Knights, athletic programs are a vital part of building character, drive, commitment, and teamwork for our student athletes.
UP-TO-DATE SPORTS INFO ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT YOUTH SPORTS Athletic BoostersThe arts build pride and community at Kenowa Hills. From our Marching Knights to musical performances at our Performing Arts Center, we believe the student experience really is a work of art.
FINE ART PROGRAMS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
