Grand River Academy

The Grand River Institute, originally named the Ashtabula County Institute of Science and Industry, was founded in 1831 by a group of prominent leaders from the Austinburg Congregational Church. The school was initially intended to prepare young men for ministerial vocations, but in 1840, it began to admit female students. Betsy Mix Cowles was appointed as the school's first female principal in charge of the Women's Department, a post she held from 1843-1848. The institution's name and location changed in 1836 at the behest of Joab Austin, a wealthy citizen who pledged a sizable endowment for the school.

The school admits boys who may not be reaching their full potential in a traditional high school environment for a variety of reasons. It teaches in small classes and boasts many unique programs, such as the Foundations of Learning Program[2] where students learn how they best learn and manage time to succeed in the classroom, and newly introduced The Productive Growth Center.[3]

In order to graduate, students must obtain 21 units of credit. In addition, all seniors must be accepted by an accredited college prior to graduation.[4] Students have been accepted at 75 different colleges.[5]

Grand River is accredited by the Ohio Department of Education, North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

In addition to classroom and sports facilities, the school has a gymnasium, the Robert Morrison Lecture Center, and Bud Field Student Center. Students are accommodated in one of five dormitories: Shepard Hall, Mastin Hall, West Hall, North Hall, and Warren Hall.

• Betsy Mix Cowles, an American abolitionist[11]

• Official website
• The Association of Boarding Schools profile