History

THE BEGINNING 

1831 - 1858

Grand River now Grand River Academy®, Institute is one of the oldest educational foundations within the Western Reserve, antedating such institutions as Oberlin, Reserve, and Hiram by a number of years. It is practically the last active survivor of the academy in Ohio, a remnant of the age before the coming of the high school when secondary education in our state lay almost completely in the hands of the academy.  Grand River Institute is also one of the oldest schools west of the Alleghenies – definitely a pioneer in the field of education.

When one looks back over the years that have passed between her founding and present day, it becomes obvious that the major reason behind Grand River’s longevity is the support of her students.

As one Alumna has so aptly expressed:

 “ ONCE A STUDENT OF GRI….always a student in mind, if not in body. There is something about the old school that keeps her alumni loyal as long as they live, no matter how many years have elapsed since they entered the class-room or how many miles lie between them and their last view of the campus.” (Charlotte Peck Dadey)