Godwin Heights Public Schools

Strong Schools, Strong Communities

Godwin Heights Public Schools consists of 2,189 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. This includes two elementary buildings for grades K through 4th, one middle school for 5th through 8th and one high school for grades 9th through 12th. The district also includes an alternative education building. Godwin Heights Public Schools provides programs and services to more than 295 children from infant to age 26 who have special needs. A diverse community of learners is celebrated where more than 20 languages are represented.  Godwin Heights is also home to championship athletic and band programs. Strengthening our schools strengthens our future workforce, helping to develop talent right here in our district. The school community of Godwin Heights is grateful to our voters for approving the Strong Schools, Strong Communities millage, which we are putting to good use for students.

District Mission

All students possess the ability to learn, to experience personal success, and to be productive citizens. Godwin Heights Public Schools deliver quality education enabling each student to work cooperatively and to participate effectively in our diverse, democratic society.  

Career Learning

Godwin Heights Public Schools believes all students can experience personal success and be productive citizens. Classrooms are engaging and provide real world application of  21st century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. A growth mindset helps students consider and connect with possible careers, build the skills expected in the workplace and learn about options after graduation, including college, technical training or going directly into the workforce. We offer career and technical coursework through Kent Career Tech Center. In addition, numerous students from Godwin Heights High School have gone on to post secondary institutions. Over the past two years, over 90% of the graduating class has applied to one post secondary program, and over 90% of the graduating class has been accepted into a post secondary program.

Academics and Beyond

Strong academics are the basis for all K-12 learning, beginning with literacy across all content areas, including mathematics, science, and social studies. Utilizing elements of sheltered instruction, Godwin Heights Public Schools staff intentionally plan and deliver lessons based on student needs and strengths. After-school opportunities include T.E.A.M. 21 program, tutoring for qualifying students, clubs, music and athletics.  Partnering with community organizations enables access to many resources for our school community. Kent School Services Network (KSSN) brings health and human services into our school buildings to serve students and families.  K-12 family nights are designed to bridge communication between home and school.   

Early Childhood

Our Great Start Readiness Preschool classrooms help children prepare for school success. Preschool can help children develop intellectually and socially. Through structured play experiences, parents find their children ready for kindergarten.

Support for Students

Most students will need a little help at some point in their schooling. They might struggle with a particular subject, an assignment, or a life challenge for themselves or their family. We believe that relationships are the key to success in life. We strive to support students through relevancy and clear expectations. Godwin Heights Public Schools employ highly qualified educators that believe that success for all students is attainable. In addition, we provide targeted interventions K-12, to support our students in all content areas. Currently at the high school we provide student advisory classes for career exploration, SAT prep classes to increase achievement on the SAT test, and academic advancement classes for intervention, as well as enrichment opportunities. Godwin Heights Public Schools shares a partnership with Kent District Library to allow all students access to all resources at local branches and electronically.

Fund Allocation

How Godwin Heights is using the funds generated from the enhancement millage:

• Reducing budget deficit by off setting cost increases of programs such as health (mental/physical) services, community schools and character development
• Retaining high-quality instructional staff
• Purchasing curricula materials
• Student literacy initiatives
• HVAC repairs
• Maintain current programming
• Purchase of mobile technology

Enhancement millage dollars received

2017-18 amount received - $465,306.14
2018-19 amount received - $469,723.63
2019-20 amount received - $485,698.40
2020-21 amount received - $510,086.70
2021-22 amount received - $522,141.19
2022-23 amount received - $564,774.89
2023-24 amount received - $604,479.38
2024-25 amount expected - $641,921.74