Spelling Bee

The Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee is a Regional bee affiliated with the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The winner wins a trip to compete in the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee!

Spelling bees help students improve their spelling, expand their vocabularies, learn language concepts, and develop correct English usage, plus composure under the spotlight, which will help them all of their lives.

2025 Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee

Spellers from five counties, (Allegan, Barry, Kent, Newaygo and Ottawa) are invited to compete in the Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee on March 19 at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Kent ISD Conference Center at 1633 East Beltline NE in Grand Rapids.

Coordinators from each county will work with their schools and will disseminate materials from Kent ISD and will arrange for Qualifying Regional Spelling Bees. Some counties may have multiple regional events.

Visit our County Coordinator page to contact the coordinator from your county.

2024 Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Joshua Diocares of Ridge Park Academy for his victory in the 2024 Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee. Joshua is an 8th grader who has now won the spelling bee twice! He correctly spelled "diluent" in the final round at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on March 21.

• 2nd place: Lakhshar Mitra, 7th grade, East Rockford Middle School
• 3rd place: Elliott Covelle, 7th grade, Northern Hills Middle School
• 4th place (tie): Anne Barbutti, 7th grade, Cityside Middle School and Patrick Burch, 7th grade, Black River Public Schools

Information and Resources

Scripps National Spelling Bee

Past Spelling Bee Winners