SW Elementary Building
Previous Next

Welcome to Southwest Elementary School - Academia Bilingüe 
(PK-6)

Welcome to Southwest Elementary School! Southwest Elementary is a great place to learn because we not only offer a rigorous, dual language immersion curriculum, but because we are family. 

Southwest Elementary is a special place to learn and grow. We are proud of our school and have high expectations for each and every scholar. Our scholars are kind, compassionate, and resilient. Together with our dedicated staff, we strive to make connections with scholars to help them feel valued, accepted, and safe. Our overarching goal is to encourage active scholar engagement that fosters a lifetime love for learning. 

Kelly Aponte
Principal

School Apps

Southwest Elementary School - Academia Bilingüe

801 Oakland Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-819-2947 Fax: 616-819-3630
Kelly Aponte
Principal
Joseph Metts
Assistant Principal
Leann Boosamra
Scholar Success Coordinator
Yesica Robinson
Head Secretary
Teresa Cruz-Vega
Kent School Services Network (KSSN) Coordinator

School Hours

Breakfast 8:50 a.m.
Start Time 9:10 a.m.
Dismissal 4:08 p.m.
Half Day Dismissal 12:20 p.m. 

KSSN

We are a Community School!
Connect with your KSSN Coordinator

Southwest Elementary School offers a proven dual immersion experience in English and Spanish to help scholars become bilingual and bicultural.

Research shows that people who are bilingual and bicultural are positioned well for a successful future with more opportunities at the college level and in the workplace, better performance on standardized tests, and are more competitive in an increasingly global economy. Our scholars’ accomplishments are a testimony of the dual immersion model’s effectiveness. The academic rigor and expectations in an urban setting should also be tied to the conviction that all scholars have the potential to develop, learn and succeed, regardless of ethnicity and cultural background.

Our scholars’ success is supported by a caring staff with a deep knowledge of immersion pedagogy and a passion for teaching. Our administration and staff are committed to preserving a positive school environment with a foundation of respect, compassion, and caring for each other. Our staff participate in on-going culturally responsive teaching and inclusiveness trainings to better serve our diverse school community.

Families are actively involved in free-of-charge programs offered by our community partners. We provide an opportunity for parents to socialize with other parents and to benefit from activities of their interest.

Conoce a nuestro Directora

Meet Our Principal

  • 10 Nov
    • FAFSA Workshop (Grand Rapids Community College)
      Date: Nov 10
      Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
      Location: Grand Rapids Community College, 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish.
  • 12 Nov
    • FAFSA Workshop (Ottawa Hills High School)
      Date: Nov 12
      Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Ottawa Hills High School, 2055 Rosewood Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Translation services available in Spanish
  • 19 Nov
    • Burton School 100th Year Celebration
      Date: Nov 19
      Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: 2133 Buchanan Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
      Short program at 6:30 pm
  • 25 Nov
    thru Nov 27
  • 26 Nov
    • GRPS 34th Annual Turkey Trot
      Date: Nov 26
      Location: Van Andel Arena, 130 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
      Calendar: GRPS District Calendar
  • 16 Dec
    thru Dec 18
  • 21 Dec
    thru Jan 1
  • 4 Jan
Inspired by Those Who Helped Him, Melendez Pays It Forward

When Arnaldo Melendez walks the halls of Burton Middle School, he sees pieces of his own story reflected in the scholars he serves.

Read More
Museum High Scholars Explore Healthy, Sustainable Snacking

Scholars at Grand Rapids Public Museum High School recently had the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and sustainability through an interactive food demonstration led by dietetic intern Amy Boggio.

Read More
WGVU News: Grand Rapids high school students explore 200 years of local election history at public museum archives

Local high school students got an up-close look at nearly two centuries of voting artifacts. 

Read More