Innovation Central High School

Innovation Central High School is a four-year high school (grades 9 through 12) located downtown at 421 Fountain Street NE in Grand Rapids. It holds the distinction of being Michigan’s oldest continuously operating high school. The curriculum features five career-focused academies: Business, Leadership & Entrepreneurship; Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM); Health Sciences & Technology; Design & Construction; and Teaching, Learning & Social Justice. Students benefit from advanced placement (AP) courses, dual college enrollment, and hands-on learning partnerships with local businesses, institutions, and colleges.

From a real estate perspective, Innovation Central adds strong value to nearby neighborhoods. Buyers often look for schools with academic depth and real-world learning experiences. Sellers can emphasize the school’s downtown location, career academy variety, and industry partnerships as key advantages. Having a respected school like Innovation Central nearby signals academic rigor, practical opportunity, and strong community connections—all of which contribute to a neighborhood’s appeal for families investing in both education and lifestyle.