Testing out of high school courses in the Michigan Merit Curriculum is an option for students who meet or exceed the content expectations for courses required for graduation. In order to receive credit through this option, a student must test out of a course with a score of 80% or higher. Testing out is not available for Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate.

If a student earns a score of 80% or higher, credit for the course will be given and the score will appear on his or her official high school transcript. The credit will count towards meeting the specific graduation requirement assigned to the course, but the test and course results, however, will not be included in the calculation of the grade point average.

Grand Rapids Public School is one of two districts nationwide set to launch and new Summer Food Program. The United States Department of Agriculture is funding the new pilot program aimed at curbing hunger and food insecurity among inner city children. GRPS prepares 21-thousand free or reduced meals a day to 86% of its student body but only 15% of those kids eat a free meal during the summer months. The new household-based summer food program will operate much like the current Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program does now. Qualified families will be chosen to receive a $60 dollar per-child debit card for the summer months of June, July and August. Parents can choose grocery items from a selected list of nutritious foods. Funding is limited to 25-hundred children for the first year but if successful the Summer Food Program could be expanded next year.