Grand Rapids Home to One of America's "25 Coolest Schools" | Education

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Some classrooms might feel like a zoo... but how many students can say that their school actually is a zoo?

Grand Rapids Public Schools has just received word that an innovative program is now being hailed as one of the 25 Coolest Schools in America according to Parent and Child Magazine.

The School at the Zoo, which started 40 years ago is being honored for it's unique approach to "place learning". About 60 sixth graders spend an entire school year at the John Ball Zoo.

The school's former Assistant Principal, Ryan Huppert explained, "The school is located within the zoo's property and a large part of the curriculum is derived around working with the zoo. So, students get to become junior zoo keepers. We're extremely proud to be recognized in that. This is a program that we have known is an exemplary program."

Faculty and administrators hope that this national attention will serve to promote environmental education.

Students head back to class next Tuesday.