Groundbreaking on First New GRPS School in Decades

Miller Davis is proud to announce the official groundbreaking for Grand Rapids Public Schools’ (GRPS) new elementary school on Aberdeen Street — the district’s first entirely new school in decades. Selected as Construction Manager, Miller Davis will oversee all aspects of the project from preconstruction to delivery.

The new Aberdeen-area school is being developed as part of GRPS’s Reimagine GRPS With Us! initiative, funded by a $305 million, 20-year bond approved by voters in 2023. With a project budget of $38.7 million, the building is designed to serve approximately 450 scholars and is scheduled to open for the 2027–2028 school year.

“I truly believe that today is one of the most significant days of our district in the 150-plus years of Grand Rapids Public Schools,” said GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby at the ceremony.

The new school will be constructed on an open lot next to the existing Aberdeen Academy, allowing students and staff to remain in their current building throughout construction. Designed with open, flexible learning spaces and abundant natural light, the facility will support modern teaching approaches and foster collaboration. The site selection reflects GRPS’s responsiveness to community input, as plans were adjusted to better serve the city’s northeast side. In keeping with that spirit of engagement, the district is also inviting the public to participate in naming the new school.

“Partnering with GRPS on a project with such community significance is an honor,” said Dan Fletcher, Project Executive for Miller Davis. “We are committed to delivering a dynamic, high-quality facility that supports students, teachers and families for generations.”

With over 100 years of experience, Miller Davis brings deep expertise in K–12 construction across Michigan — always with a focus on craftsmanship, collaboration and community sensitivity.