Grand River Academy

4.5 (2 reviews)

Middle Schools & High Schools

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Melanie C.

8 years ago

Grand River Academy is small but mighty. If you have a son who is struggling in the public school environment, has learning differences, or needs help getting into college, GRA is a great alternative. This isn't the fanciest boarding/college prep school and it is about an hour from the nearest large city (Cleveland), but they get the job done and I never had to worry about my son's welfare - I knew he was in good hands. The staff, teachers and therapists care about the boys and it is clear that they want to help their students be successful. Everyone is fully committed to the mission and values of the school. The campus is very pretty, the dorm rooms are basic but functional. Most of the teachers live right on campus, which helps when the boys need special attention and help. They have a wide variety of class options, particularly around their "intensive" sessions, which last 2 weeks and focus on a particular topic - this year my son took the class on the Henrietta Lacks case. They have planned trips abroad as part of the intensive sessions as well. There are a lot of activities on the weekends to keep students occupied and they have a student center to hang out in as well. They are always trying new ways to engage the boys and keep things interesting. On the first day of school last year, they took each grade to a different adventure - kayaking, ropes course, etc. My son has been there for 2.5 years and has grown tremendously. His grades have gone up and he is involved in clubs and sports. The small class size and the availability of the teachers keeps him on track (for the most part) and if he needs extra help, the teachers are more than willing to spend extra time with him. They encourage him and applaud his successes; they will get on his case if he needs that too. He was failing in the public school and I was at the end of my ability to help him. GRA staff and teachers stepped in and helped start him on a more positive path. read more

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william t.

10 years ago

My son went here four years and graduated valedictorian. He went on to get a scholarship at his college that was worth over $50,000 per year. The school is located off the beaten path, but only an hour from Cleveland and Erie. Not everyone has such s great experience, but I think most are very pleased with the school. read more

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More info about Grand River Academy

3042 College St
Austinburg, OH 44010
Directions
(440) 275-2811
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.grandriver.org

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Does Grand River Academy have free WiFi?

Yes, Grand River Academy has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

With a devoted faculty and nurturing community, our boys grow academically, socially and emotionally. This 360-degree approach leads to a high percentage of the student body making the honor roll and discovering that they are capable of doing well in the classroom. Grand River Academy embraces a 360-degree philosophy. This philosophy encourages each young man to be himself and activate his true potential. Students graduate from GRA with the knowledge and ability necessary to lead a successful life. We have 101 boys for 101 different reasons. Some boys may have been academically underachieving in their previous school environment. Some may have lost a passion for learning. Some boys may have learning differences that their old school could not address. Others just need a caring and structured environment that is conducive for success. Whatever the reason, our boys find that Grand River Academy is a place they can be themselves, reinvent themselves, rediscover their passions, and get back on the college prep track. Our boarding school atmosphere is a special place for growth. The 'outside the classroom' experience is just as valuable as the classroom experience. Our Residential Life Program focuses on community building, forging friendships and teaching our young men how to navigate adolescence. Because of this focus, our students learn how to be independent and responsible 21st century citizens. As a small boarding school, our students do not fall through the cracks.

History

Established in 1831.

The school's founders articulated a philosophy that values physical, intellectual, and moral education that continues to this day. The school (then known as Grand River Institute) was moved to its present location in 1835, when a building that was on the river bank was transported to land in Austinburg after a substantial gift from Joab Austin "lured the school into town." The actual move was accomplished by 100, 200, or 300 oxen, depending on who tells the story. Under the guidance of Headmaster Tim Viands, the Academy continues to grow, both in size and reputation. Now occupying dozens of buildings on 200 acres and serving students from across the United States and around the world, it still remains true to its mission: the physical, intellectual, and moral education of boys through small class sizes, individualized instruction, and supportive teachers.

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Lynette A.

3 months ago

They need to fire everyone who works there! Starting with the coach of the basketball team! He is a lying SOS!! The Head Mistress is also full of it! If you want your children to be lied to and used, then send them to Grand River Academy! The Program Bucket and a Dream is a Disaster! Coach Monear is a con artist ! BUCKET AND A DREAM IS HIS WAY TO STEAL MONEY. They are a bunch of thieves! They will overcharge some parents to allow foreign students to come and get a free ride to play basketball! They need to go to jail. Every time we turned around they have their hand out looking for more money! The food they give them is mostly fast food because they are too damn cheap to hire a good cook! I'm still waiting on the Head Mistress to return my phone call about her and the Coach shady Darrell( who had my grandson playing under somebody else's name!!!!) They pre tended like they were going to fire him but they didn't! Then let's talk about how they wouldn't give my grandson his numbered jersey that he had been playing with for 2 years. They made up all kind of excuses about why they gave the jersey to another student. Then lied about how she had spoken to him and another student and they decided to retire the jersey which was a bunch of BS!! They all need to be fired. They should be investigated for fraud. This last incident was they asked for money for my grandson to go to a game to play and this wannabe Coach Darrell ( who was supposed to be fired) played him for 3-4 minutes and they lost! SMH!! Notice I said his mother had to give the school over $300 so he could play. So if you don't want you child to be around some of the worst examples of crooks, thieves, and liars don't Send them to Grand River Academy! The only thing they should have their hands out for is a pair of handcuffs! read more

Jake L.

10 years ago

Hi I Attended Grand River Academy For Only 1 Year And Was Amazed At How Cruel And Mean Majority Of The Student Body Was. The Staff Were Not Always On Top Of Things And Were Extremely Clueless At Times. I Also Noticed That This School Was Ran Quite Like A Dictatorship In A Way That The Staff And Higher Up Officials Could Really Take Advantage Of Certain Situations And Could Really Do What They Want Without Anyone Knowing. This School Probably Taught Me As Little As Possible To Deal With A Lot Of My Own Emotional Problems Instead It Made My Emotional Problems A Ton Harder To Deal With Given The Nasty And Mean Environment. I Personally Believe This School Is Ran Extremely Poorly And Should Not Even Exist So For Parents Looking To Have Their Son Attend GRA I Would Strongly Advise To Not Send Your Son Here And To Look For Potentially Better Options Because Sending Your Son Here Is A Definite Mistake And Could Only Cause More Issues For Him And Your Family In The Future. read more

Spencer M.

6 years ago

They want to keep the hazing and abuses cases out of the press and media. After the recent Paris Hilton Documentary about the abuse by faculty at Provo in Utah I decided I can't be silent anymore. At GRA the harassment, hazing and abuse was done by older students and approved by faculty. It was a way to keep their hands clean. They would lie to parents regularly and say that we were exaggerating or lying. My story reflects perfectly with the court case M.Y. v. Grand River Academy, 54 IDELR 255 (N.D. Ohio 2010). If you look at the base story of the case that is what many of use went through on a daily bases. This place should have been shut down long ago. Not to mention they would let in anyone with money. Including individuals who were so mentally disturbed one would go on to kill his father on Christmas Day and another kill his brother with a baseball bat. read more

Grand River Academy - highschools - Updated May 2026

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