Ferry School

1050 Pennoyer Avenue

School District

Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Grand Haven Area Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 22, 2023

Amazing staff that strives to meet the needs of each individual child.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2019

Ferry Voyager has been great for my kid.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2014

The previous review contains wildly inaccurate information. Voyagers is REQUIRED by the state to MEET or EXCEED state required learning. At times Voyagers have choice learning times but they also work at or above grade level during structured learning or receive special education services as any other public school student would. The Voyager School promotes individualized, hand on, FUN learning. Perhaps the issue is that Voyagers teachers do a lot less parent hand-holding and expect parents to check folders, and email to know what is going on at school. Weekly emails go home giving the exact math homework lessons children should be working on for credit on our web based program. Voyagers also encourage parents to Volunteer in or out of class and to attend monthly parent meetings to keep in the loop. My oldest Voyager is now a middle schooler with a 4.0 GPA who spends her spare time as a peer buddy to children with special needs. A skill learned and encouraged in the Voyager School. She is confident, friendly and well spoken. She is incredibly proud to call herself a Voyager. Once a Voyager, Always a Voyager! My youngest 2 children are currently THRIVING in this amazing school.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2014

The teachers in the Voyager program were not helpful at all. After hearing great things we enrolled our twin 7 year old boys there. After three weeks we pulled them out and sent them back to Mary A White. The teachers let the children roam from room to room, seemingly without knowing if a child has come or gone. The teachers are referred to by their first names, which (with children) automatically loses some respect and authority. They let the students pick their own studies and at which grade level they want to study at. One of my children brought home a spelling test he chose to take. The words were "play, say, day, may". This fist grader reads at a 4th grade level, but without supervision he took full advantage of the situation. They both decided to do pre k math. Math was one of the main reasons we sent them there, they were bored of regular lessons and traditional teachers can't give special lessons that the remainder of the class can't follow. The final straw was after no progress reports, no homework and hearing about their lessons, we decided to email all three teachers. After four days, not a single reply. Be cautious about this program, it's not all it's cracked up to be.
Submitted by other on October 24, 2013

the best because of all the teachers they make you and the child feel very comfortable, and the office help as well and they know your name that makes it feel very welcomed!
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2013

The Voyager School in Grand Haven is amazing. It's part of the public school system and housed at Ferry elementary. We moved from a Montessori program in Grand Rapids and were looking for a similar mixed age classroom with strong parental involvement. This school is truly a family and puts the children first. The teachers recognize the many different languages in which children learn and allow kids to learn at their own pace. Kids are more important than standardized tests and material is taught in such an engaging way. No desks or text books or busy work! Perfect for gifted kids to learn at their own pace but still have friends their own age. Also perfect for any other sort of learner. Everyone learns at their own level for every subject so no one is really behind or ahead. A huge emphasis is placed on art, theater, and music. My kids love love love this school and were actually sad when summer break started. Take a tour and check it out! We've also had great experiences with the staff of Ferry school. The principal is often out welcoming kids to the school and the counselor helped our child through a tough time. We couldn't ask for more from this wonderful school.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2007

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