EDITOR’S NOTE: Each district plan listed is subject to change before state approval in mid-August, depending on family feedback/demand, changes in the state reopening phase and school board approval. Please double check the plan with your district before enrollment. Send us updates by emailing ReportIt@woodtv.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For the first time since March 13, many West Michigan school districts are getting ready to welcome students back into the classroom.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced in mid-June that K-12 schools could reopen for in-person instruction this fall as long as the pandemic didn’t worsen, leading a rollback of Michigan’s reopening plan.
A couple weeks later, the state released its Return to School Roadmap, which outlines school safety recommendations and requirements.
Michigan is currently in Phase 4 of the state reopening plan. Under that phase, face masks are required in varying degrees for all students and staff unless they’re medically unable to wear one. Schools are also required to provide supplies and guidance for frequent handwashing. Districts must also sanitize and frequently clean high touch areas, avoid holding large events and screen all students and staff according to local health department guidelines.
If Michigan falls back to phases 1, 2 or 3, all school districts must shift to remote learning only. Under Phase 5, all schools can reopen for in-person instruction to all students with minimal health and safety requirements.
Under an executive order from Whitmer, schools must adopt response plans for each phase of reopening by mid-August. Those plans have been evolving in the last several weeks because of the changing state of the pandemic, demand for in-person instruction that would make social distancing impossible and other factors. Some districts shifted to a hybrid instruction model days after announcing an initial plan for in-person instruction.
Use the following index to find out how your school district is tackling the return to school in Phase 4 so far:
ALLEGAN COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Allegan Public Schools:
Two days in-person, three days online learning until at least Sept. 30; target date for full in-person instruction is Oct. 1. Full-time remote learning also an option. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Fennville Public Schools:
In-person instruction, short-term remote learning or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Glenn Public School District:
In-person instruction, flexible remote learning or full-time virtual learning. | Details
Hamilton Community Schools:
Mix of in-person and online instruction or remote only option. School starts Aug. 26. |Details
Holland Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Hopkins Public Schools:
Hybrid of in-person and remote learning or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 27.| Details
Martin Public Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Otsego Public Schools:
Hybrid model of 2 days in-person instruction and three days of remote learning; virtual academy also available. School starts Aug. 24.| Details
Plainwell Community Schools:
Hybrid of 2 days in-person instruction and three days remote learning; virtual academy also available. | Details
Saugatuck Public Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning with a semester or trimester commitment. School starts Sept. 1. | Details
Wayland Union Schools:
Hybrid model of in-class instruction and remote learning or remote learning only. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
BARRY COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Delton Kellogg School District:
In-person instruction or full-time virtual academy. | Details
Hastings Area School District:
In-person instruction or remote learning via Hastings Virtual Academy. School starts Aug. 24.| Details
Thornapple Kellogg School District:
In-person learning or online learning. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
BRANCH COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Bronson Community Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning for elementary school students. In-person instruction, hybrid learning model or full-time remote learning for middle and high school students. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Coldwater Community Schools:
Hybrid model of in-person instruction and remote learning until at least Sept. 18. District will “scale up” to in-person instruction based on health official recommendations after that date. Full-time remote learning option also available. School starts Aug. 24.| Details
Quincy Community Schools:
In-person instruction for DK-5 grades. Hybrid mix of in-person and remote learning for grades 6-12. Full-time virtual learning also available. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
CALHOUN COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Athens Area Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time virtual learning.| Details
Battle Creek Public Schools:
In-person instruction available for K-5 grades, remote learning for grades 6-12 grades during first 9 weeks of school. Virtual-only instruction also available. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Bellvue Community Schools:
In-person instruction, blended learning or virtual learning options. School starts Aug. 16.| Details
Harper Creek Community Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Homer Community Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Lakeview School District:
Full-time online learning for preK-12 grades during first trimester. District hopes to incorporate in-person instruction by second trimester. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Mar Lee:
In-person instruction or remote learning. | Details
Marshall Public Schools:
Hybrid of in-person instruction and remote learning. Virtual-only learning option also available. | Details
Olivet Community Schools:
Hybrid mix of in-person instruction and remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Pennfield Schools:
Virtual learning only for middle and high school students for first nine weeks. Virtual learning option for K-5th grades or in-person instruction. School starts Aug. 25.| Details
Tekonsha Community Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Union City Community Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
IONIA COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Belding Area School District:
Hybrid mix of in-person instruction and remote learning for at least the first few weeks of school while district evaluates option of full in-person instruction. Full-time remote learning also an option with a minimum nine-week commitment. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Ionia Public Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Lakewood Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning options. Detailed plan expected after Aug. 10 Board meeting. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Portland Public School District:
In-person instruction with virtual learning option; additional information expected soon.| Details
Saranac Community Schools:
In-person instruction or virtual learning option; School starts Aug. 26. | Details
KALAMAZOO COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Climax-Scotts Community Schools: In-person instruction for preK-5 grades; hybrid mix of in-person instruction and remote learning for grades 6-12. School starts Sept. 8. | Details
Comstock Public Schools: Full-time remote instruction for everyone to start school; Board will re-evaluate the possibility for in-person instruction during Sept. 28 meeting. School starts Aug. 31.| Details
Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo: In-person instruction or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 25.| Diocese website
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools: Proposal is to start school year with hybrid model of in-person instruction and remote learning for K-12 grades. Re-evaluation in 3-4 weeks for possible in-person instruction for K-5 grades with higher grades added later. Two full-time remote learning options also available. Board will vote on plan Aug. 10. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Gull Lake Community Schools: In-person instruction or blended learning, depending on grade. Full-time virtual learning available for all grades. | Details
Kalamazoo Public Schools: Tiered option transitioning from remote learning to entirely in-person instruction by March 15 or two virtual learning plans; Zoom meetings outlining plans through Aug. 12. | Details
Mattawan Consolidated School: School starts with remote learning for all grades, gradually transitioning to hybrid model of in-person and remote learning and eventually in-person instruction for Y5-5 grades and a hybrid model for grades 6-12. Full-time remote learning options also available. School starts Aug. 24 |Details
Parchment School District: Hybrid model of in-person instruction and remote learning or full-time remote or virtual learning options. School starts Aug. 31.| District website
Portage Public Schools: Young 5s to fifth grade: In-person learning or two virtual learning options; 6-12 grades: Remote learning with the option to learn virtually within the building. School starts Aug. 31 | Details
Schoolcraft Community Schools: In-person instruction four days a week for middle and high school students or five days a week for grades K-5. Hybrid model of in-person and remote learning or full-time virtual learning options also available. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Vicksburg Community Schools: In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
KENT COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Byron Center Public Schools:
Hybrid of in-person instruction and remote learning for first four weeks of school with the hope of full in-person instruction by Sept. 28. Virtual learning only option also available. | Details
Caledonia Community Schools:
In-person instruction or remote only learning. | Details
Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids schools:
In-person instruction with remote learning on case-by-case basis. Classes start for most schools on Aug. 19. | Details
Cedar Springs Public Schools School:
In-person instruction or fully online learning. School starts Sept. 8. | Details
Comstock Park Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. Flex Academy also available for at-risk youth grades 6-12. | Details
East Grand Rapids Public School District:
In-person cohort learning for K-5/ In-person hybrid learning for 6-12 grades or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Forest Hills Public Schools:
Mix of in-person/virtual learning for grades K-12 for at least the first 2-4 weeks of school, or semester-long full-time virtual learning only. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Godfrey Lee Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 24.| Details
Godwin Heights Public Schools:
Online instruction for all grades through Sept. 11. In-class instruction in phases by grade; all grades included by Sept. 28. Virtual learning option also available. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Grand Rapids Christian Schools:
In-person instruction or hybrid model prioritizing younger grades with older students switching between in-person and remote learning. Virtual instruction only if required by executive order. School starts Aug. 19. | Details
Grand Rapids Public Schools:
Remote learning until Oct. 21, during which GRPS will assess situation and prepare for possible in-person or hybrid instruction. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Grandville Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Kelloggsville Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Kenowa Hills Public Schools:
In-person instruction and remote learning options. School starts Aug. 31; materials to be distributed previous week. | Details
Kent City Community Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Kentwood Public Schools:
Virtual learning for all students during first two weeks of school; in-person instruction becomes an option starting Sept. 8. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Lowell Area Schools:
Hybrid mix of in-person and virtual learning for all grades through Sept. 11 with K-5 grades transitioning to in-person instruction only on Sept. 14. Grades 6-12 will remain on hybrid schedule at least until Sept. 25. Virtual learning also an option. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Northview Public Schools:
Hybrid mix of in-person and virtual learning or remote learning only. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Rockford Public Schools:
Live remote instruction for everyone through Sept. 11. If conditions improve during that time, in-person instruction would start Sept. 14. Virtual learning only also an option. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Sparta Area Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning, pending Aug. 13 board approval. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Thornapple Kellogg School District:
In-person learning or online learning. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Wyoming Public Schools:
Full-time virtual learning only for at least the first two weeks of school. Students who selected in-person instruction will start in classrooms Sept. 8. Full-time remote learning also an option. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
MUSKEGON COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Calvary Christian Schools
In-person instruction. | Details
Fruitport Community Schools:
In-person instruction for elementary students and hybrid mix of in-person and remote learning for secondary students. Full-time remote learning also an option. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Holton Public Schools:
In-person instruction, hybrid model, remote learning or virtual academy. | Details
Mona Shores Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Sept. 8. | Details
Montague Area Public Schools:
In-person instruction or virtual academy. School starts Sept. 1. | Details
Muskegon Public Schools:
K-12 distance learning model with live instruction in mornings and pre-recorded instruction in afternoon. Appointment-based in-person/small group tutoring with teacher in afternoons. School starts Aug. 26.| Details
Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System:
Full-time remote learning for everyone with the possibility of small group/one-on-one in-person instsruction by appointment only. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
North Muskegon Public Schools:
In-person instruction for kindergarten and first grades four days a week; hybrid model of two days in-person instruction and three days remote learning for grades 2-12. Full-time virtual academy option also available. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Oakridge Public Schools:
Hybrid mix of in-person instruction and remote learning or full-time virtual learning option. School starts Sept. 2. | Details
Orchard View Public Schools:
In-person instruction with classes starting about 90 minutes later than prior years, or virtual academy. School starts Aug. 25.| Details
Ravenna Public Schools:
Hybrid model of face-to-face and online instruction or virtual academy. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Reeths-Puffer Schools:
In-person instruction or virtual learning. Semester-long commitment. School starts Sept. 8. | Details
Western Michigan Christian Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Whitehall Public Schools:
In-person instruction or virtual learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
MONTCALM COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Carson City Crystal Area Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Central Montcalm Public School:
In-person instruction or virtual learning. School starts Aug. 18. | Details
Greenville Public Schools:
Remote learning for all during first two weeks of school; In-person instruction starts Sept. 2. Virtual learning also an option. School starts Aug.19. | Details
Lakeview Community Schools:
In-person instruction or virtual learning options proposed. School starts Aug. 25 | District website
Montabella Community Schools:
In-person instruction or virtual learning. | Details
Tri County Area Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Vestaburg Community School:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
NEWAYGO COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Fremont Public School District:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Grant Public School District:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Hesperia Community Schools:
In-person instruction, remote learning or virtual school, pending Board approval on Aug. 15. School starts Aug. 31.| Details
Newaygo Public School District:
In-person instruction or virtual learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Western Michigan Christian Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
White Cloud Public Schools:
In-person instruction, remote learning or virtual academy options. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
OCEANA COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Hart Public School District:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Sept. 8. | Details
Pentwater Public School District:
Hybrid mix of in-person instruction and remote learning. Full-time remote learning option also available. School starts Sept. 4. | Details
Shelby Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Sept. 1. | Details
Walkerville Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. | Details
OTTAWA COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Allendale Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Coopersville Area Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning with flexible option possible upon request, pending Board approval on Aug. 10. School starts Aug. 31.| Details
Grand Haven Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. Instruction starts Sept. 8. | Details
Hamilton Community Schools:
Mix of in-person and online instruction or remote only option. School starts Aug. 26. |Details
Holland Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 26. | Details
Hudsonville Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Jenison Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 25. | Details
Saugatuck Public Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning with a semester or trimester commitment. School starts Sept. 1. | Details
West Ottawa Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Sept. 1. | Details
Western Michigan Christian Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time virtual learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Zeeland Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Sept. 1. | Details
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Burr Oak Community Schools:
In-person inststruction or a mix of in-person instruction and remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. |Details
Centreville Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Colon Community Schools:
In-person instruction, hybrid of online and in-person learning or remote learning only. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Constantine Public Schools:
In-person instruction, remote learning or virtual learning options. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Mendon Community Schools:
Hybrid instruction to start the school year. Virtual learning option also available. School starts Aug. 24. | District website
Nottawa Community School:
Preliminary plan offers in-person instruction four days a week or remote learning only. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Sturgis Public Schools:
In-person instruction for K-5 students and hybrid learning for grades 6-12 or remote learning. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Three Rivers Community Schools:
In-person instruction for PreK-5 grade students and hybrid model of in-person and remote learning for grades 6-12 or remote learning only. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
White Pigeon Community Schools:
In-person instruction for Y5-5th grade and hybrid model of in-person instruction and remote learning for grades 6-12 or remote learning only. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
VAN BUREN COUNTY (PHASE 4 PLAN ONLY)
Bangor Public Schools:
Hybrid mix of in-person instruction and remote learning. Full-time virtual academy option also available. | Details
Bloomingdale Public School District:
In-person instruction Monday through Thursday with remote learning on Friday or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Covert Public Schools:
In-person instruction or full-time remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Decatur Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
Gobles Public School District:
In-person instruction or virtual academy. School starts Aug. 31.| Details
Hartford Public Schools:
Hybrid mix of in-person instruction or remote learning. Virtual academy option also available. | Details
Lawrence Public Schools:
In-person instruction or remote learning. School starts Aug. 31.| Details
Lawton Community School District:
In-person instruction, hybrid model or virtual learning only. School starts Aug. 31.| Details
Mattawan Consolidated School:
Remote learning to start the year; district will decide whether to add in-person instruction tentatively by Sept. 4. School starts Aug. 24. | Details
Paw Paw Public School District:
In-person instruction for K-7, hybrid of in-person instruction and online learning for grades 8-12 or remote learning. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
South Haven Public Schools:
In-person instruction with cohort groups for JK-5 grades; in-person instruction for grades 6-12 to be decided based on enrollment or virtual learning only. School starts Aug. 31. | Details
