MISSION:
Grand River Academy® is a college preparatory boarding and day school that helps young men activate their academic, social and emotional potential while preparing them for lifelong success.
VISION:
To be an international college preparatory community where students develop their unique potential through scholarship, performance, inclusion, resilience and empathy to become Grand River Academy leaders and global citizens.
GRAND RIVER ACADEMY® CORE PRINCIPLES
RESPECT– Grand River Academy Students treat themselves and others with consideration, dignity, and fairness. Beyond people, students learn to acknowledge the environment, physical and natural.
INTEGRITY – Consistency between one’s thoughts, words, and actions. It involves honesty, truthfulness, and adherence to strong moral and ethical principles even when no one is watching.
VALUE SCHOLARSHIP – Scholarship is a cornerstone of Grand River Academy. It is the process of cultivating moral, ethical, social, and cultural values alongside academic knowledge. It emphasizes not just what we learn, but how that learning shapes character, behavior, and responsibility in society.
EMPATHY – Grand River Academy Students are compassionate, conscientious, and concerned for the well-being of those around them. Through encouragement, individuals go out of their way to check on their peers, offer help or advice, and are respectful in their interactions throughout the Grand River Academy® community and beyond.
RESILIENCE – Grand River Academy Students overcome obstacles and continue to strive for the goals they set, keeping a positive attitude and open mindset in the face of adversity, ultimately growing as a person despite adversity and setbacks.
Grand River Academy®: A Legacy of Excellence Since 1831
Founded in 1831, Grand River Academy (GRA) is the oldest educational institution in Ohio’s Western Reserve, predating schools like Oberlin, Western Reserve, and Hiram Colleges. As the last remaining academy from an era when private schools were the primary providers of secondary education, GRA has been a pioneer in American education for nearly two centuries.
From its earliest days, GRA has been driven by a singular mission: to transform a young man’s environment and, in doing so, change his life. Today, this mission is celebrated as the Grand River Promise, upheld by generations of dedicated leaders, trustees, and supporters who ensure the Academy’s enduring impact.
Founded by the Austinburg Congregational Church to prepare young men for ministerial vocations, GRA quickly grew with generous endowments which helped establish the campus along the Grand River. Over the years, prominent leaders and alumni have shaped GRA’s history. Through decades of evolution, new buildings, enhanced programs, and the introduction of formal guidance services, GRA has continually strengthened its offerings to students. Today, with renewed leadership and a clear focus on sustainability, the Academy is experiencing a resurgence in enrollment and reaffirming its mission: to prepare young men for lifelong growth while keeping the Grand River Promise alive.