He successfully guided the school through hybrid learning in first year as principal. Since then he has built a team that is driven by systems of accountability that give everyone common goals to attain together. That environment has produced a low staff turnover rate and fostered professional growth, both major factors that have contributed to the school outperforming the local district. He believes that all of these things make Grand River Prep a great example of everything that’s good about school choice.
Irwin attributes these successes to a forward-thinking mentality. While he appreciates and celebrates accomplishments, he is constantly thinking of the next step, if there’s anything else that can be done, or to what extent can things be built.
It all adds up to a learning environment that is “distinctly GRP.”
“Our job is to be a place that believes kids can do things. and if they’re not able to, we have to change how we’re doing things in order to help them get there,” he said. “I have a phrase that I’ll say, ‘This has to be GRP.’ I look at it from the perspective of we really do have an opportunity to do a lot of innovative things.’
Irwin served as a teacher for seven years before becoming an assistant principal at Grand River Prep. Becoming an assistant principal was his goal for a long time, but after achieving it he quickly ascended to principal, allowing him to lead while still helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and moral strength they need to succeed in college, work, and life.
“I have found that the parts that I enjoy about working with kids also translate to staff,” he said.
Grand River Prep is the first high school of its parent company, National Heritage Academies (NHA®), a distinction that Irwin and his staff take great pride in. He sees it as their responsibility to maintain the reputation NHA has built for decades as a destination for learning in Michigan and around the country.
“I feel very fortunate to have found NHA when I did,” he said, adding his voice matters and his staff feel the same way. “We feel like our work matters. That what we show up – every day matters.”
Quick Facts:
- He earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University.
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About Grand River Prep
Grand River Preparatory High School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Kentwood, Michigan, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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