Black River opened its doors to students in the fall of 1996. The new charter school/public school academy was created based on intense interest in having a college preparatory focused school for students in the greater Holland area. Determined to make this happen, a group of local parents, business, civic and educational leaders began to plan and started what has become a remarkable school to serve the students in a way that still holds the original ideas in place as the model for the school’s purpose and mission.
The group’s vision of a school more attuned to students' needs for the future and less hampered by internal bureaucracy was at the core of their idea. They sought a charter authorization from Grand Valley State University, and in July of 1996 that charter was granted.
Since then, Black River Public School has created a college preparatory program now encompassing kindergarten through 12th grade students, providing an environment thriving on participation, responsiveness and experiential learning.
Black River's progress has been steady since 1996. Though operations began in the former Federal School building at East Eighth and Walnut, it was quickly apparent that this site would not accommodate the growth to which the school was committed.
In 1999 the BASF Corporation donated to Black River the historic 50,000 square foot Holland Furnace building on Columbia Avenue. Renovations retained its beautiful interior and brought the building back to life, and classes began there in 2000. In the spring of that year, the school also proudly graduated its first senior class.
In 2001, a Montessori-style upper elementary program with the goal of further enhancing academic achievement was added.
In 2004, the expansion of the elementary school allowed the inclusion of 1st-3rd grades.
Finally, in 2007 the academic program was completed with the addition of kindergarten. This addition also featured more expansion including a newly remodeled facility for kindergarten classes, and the construction of new 20,000 square foot facility housing a gymnasium, cafeteria and music facilities.
In 2011 Black River was named the first K-12 School of Excellence in the State of Michigan, and signed a historic 13-year contract with Grand Valley University.
In 2014 the school undertook a $4.87 million capital campaign to raise funds for a four part capital project benefiting the entire student body. Improvements included a new 27,000 sf elementary facility (built during the summer of 2015), a building renovation for a new chemistry lab, supplemental gym/cafeteria space, and significant technology upgrades throughout campus. The project was completed successfully with the new buildings opening in the fall of 2015, growing enrollment to nearly 1,000 students in grades K-12.