Today’s the day! Welcome to the first day of the 2026–27 school year! We’re so excited to have our students and staff back in Cardinal Country. Here’s to a year filled with learning, growth, new experiences, and plenty of Cardinal Pride!
⏰ Reminder: Today is an 11:30 AM dismissal.
Let’s make it a great first day, Cardinals! We’re so glad you’re here!
Be sure to grab a copy of The Pioneer newspaper on Saturday, August 22nd for the official BRHS Fall Events Insert! 🗞️
It features complete schedules for all upcoming athletic games, band performances, theatre shows, choir events, and more. Don't miss it!
We’re proud to share that Big Rapids High School has once again been recognized among Michigan’s best high schools in the 2026–27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings!
#1 High School in the Big Rapids Area
#204 in Michigan
#5,614 Nationally
The rankings evaluate nearly 18,000 public high schools nationwide, considering factors such as college readiness, state assessment performance, graduation rates, curriculum breadth, and student outcomes.
This recognition reflects the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, families, and community. From AP courses and dual enrollment to career and technical education, athletics, fine arts, clubs, and countless other opportunities, BRHS students have many pathways to prepare for life after graduation.
As Superintendent Tim Haist shared, “We’re proud of the work happening at Big Rapids High School and grateful to our families and community for their continued support.”
❤️💙 Congratulations, Cardinals! Cardinal Pride runs deep!
👉 Read the full story and learn more about the U.S. News ranking on the BRPS website found here.
Be sure to grab a copy of The Pioneer newspaper on Saturday, August 22nd for the official BRHS Fall Events Insert! 🗞️
It features complete schedules for all upcoming athletic games, band performances, theatre shows, choir events, and more. Don't miss it!
Our Online Apparel Store for Big Rapids – Spirit Pack 2026 can be found by going to: http://teamchaser.com/
- Click the TEAM SALES tab in the upper left-hand corner
- Put in the sales code: BRSPIRIT2026
- Click on the picture and the order form will come up on the right side of the screen
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone can purchase the “Cardinal Crazies” gear! However, high school students ONLY will also receive a key tag that will get them into all home events FREE of charge (excluding MHSAA events).
NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES so please make sure you carefully select the appropriate sizes.
Our store will expire SUNDAY, AUGUST 23rd at 11:59 pm. NO late orders will be accepted.
Packages will be delivered to BRHS approximately 2 weeks after our store closes. They will be distributed by school staff.
🎉 Be Part of the 2026 Homecoming Parade! ❤️💙
It’s time to show your Cardinal Pride and help us celebrate Homecoming in Big Rapids! 🎉
We’re inviting clubs, teams, organizations, businesses, families, and community groups to join us in the Homecoming Parade!
📅 Friday, September 25
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 Downtown Big Rapids
➡️ The parade will begin behind Big Rapids Middle School and travel south on Michigan Avenue, ending at the Big Rapids Community Library.
Whether you’re planning a float, decorating a vehicle, walking with a group, or bringing another creative idea to life, we’d love to have you be part of the celebration!
🎈 Ready to join the parade? Register here: bit.ly/brhshoco
Let’s fill the streets with Cardinal Pride! ❤️💙
🏫 Open Houses & Back-to-School Events Are Happening This Week!
The start of a new school year is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to welcome our Cardinals back! Join us this week to meet teachers, explore classrooms, get familiar with your school, and get ready for a great year.
📅 TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
📸 BRHS Upperclassmen Registration, School Pictures & IDs
9:00 AM–3:00 PM
For students who have attended BRHS previously (non-freshmen)
📅 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
📸 BRHS Freshman/New Student School Pictures | 3:00–6:00 PM
For the Class of 2030, transfer students, new-to-BRHS students, and foreign exchange students
👋 BRHS Swing-In Orientation | 4:00–5:30 PM
For the Class of 2030, transfer students, new-to-BRHS students, and foreign exchange students
📅 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
🏫 Eastwood Open House | 4:00–5:30 PM
📅 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
🏫 Virtual School Open House | 3:00–5:00 PM
📅 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
🏫 Big Rapids Middle School Open House | 4:00–5:30 PM
📅 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
🏫 Brookside Open House | 4:30–6:00 PM
📅 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
🏫 Riverview Open House | 4:30–6:00 PM
📅 MONDAY, AUGUST 24
🎒 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, 11:30 AM dismissal
We’re looking forward to seeing our students and families throughout the week! Welcome back, Cardinals!
Our Online Apparel Store for Big Rapids – Spirit Pack 2026 can be found by going to: http://teamchaser.com/
- Click the TEAM SALES tab in the upper left-hand corner
- Put in the sales code: BRSPIRIT2026
- Click on the picture and the order form will come up on the right side of the screen
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone can purchase the “Cardinal Crazies” gear! However, high school students ONLY will also receive a key tag that will get them into all home events FREE of charge (excluding MHSAA events).
NO RETURNS OR EXCHANGES so please make sure you carefully select the appropriate sizes.
Our store will expire SUNDAY, AUGUST 23rd at 11:59 pm. NO late orders will be accepted.
Packages will be delivered to BRHS approximately 2 weeks after our store closes. They will be distributed by school staff.
👋 Join us for "Meet the Principals" at BRMS
Calling all 5th-grade parents and families new to Big Rapids Middle School!
Stop by for a meet-and-greet with Principal Dale Rogers, and give our NEW Assistant Principal, Carter Ferguson, a warm BRMS welcome!
When: Thursday, Aug 13 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Big Rapids Middle School (Please enter at the Main Entrance)
Who: Parents of 5th Grade & New BRMS Students
We can’t wait to meet you and kick off a fantastic school year together!
Summer is flying by, and the countdown to a brand-new school year is officially on!
Visit our Back to School FAQs to find quick answers to all your top questions about transportation, schedules, and more:
🔗 https://www.brps.org/page/back-to-school-faqs
Our hard-working Food Service team is behind the Middle School right now, handing out a week’s worth of fresh food to our families—completely free of charge.
Join us at the Grab & Go:
When: Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Behind the Middle School
Here is a look at today's pickup lines in the photos below. We love serving our community! ❤️
As we celebrate America's 250th birthday, we hope your day is filled with family, friends, great food, and unforgettable memories.
Have a safe, fun, and festive Independence Day!
❤️🤍💙 Happy Birthday, America!
Nearly 50 years ago, fifth-grade students at Eastwood Elementary created this beautiful quilt to celebrate America's 1976 Bicentennial. Each square was thoughtfully designed by a student, then stitched together into a lasting piece of BRPS history.
Today, thanks to the generosity of former Eastwood teacher Mr. Ron Wardie, the quilt has returned home and will be preserved and displayed in Heritage Hall at Big Rapids High School, where future generations can enjoy it. Read the full story at: https://www.brps.org/article/3015210
Now we're hoping you can help us uncover the stories woven into every stitch.
> Were you one of the students who created a quilt square?
> Do you remember this project or seeing the quilts displayed at Eastwood?
> Do you recognize any of the designs—or know someone who might?
We'd love to hear your memories! Share your story in the comments, tag classmates, and help us piece together this special chapter of Big Rapids Public Schools' history.
Today, Big Rapids Public Schools staff came together one last time this school year to look back on our collective achievements and look forward to what's next. Beyond district updates, today was all about celebrating our people.
We are incredibly proud to honor our dedicated staff members for their years of service, and we say a bittersweet farewell to our retirees, thanking them for the countless lives they've impacted.
Thank you, BRPS staff, for another unforgettable year. Enjoy the summer break—you've earned it!
We made it! Today marks the official conclusion of another incredible school year at Big Rapids Public Schools.
To our students: Thank you for your hard work, your creativity, and your unmatched Cardinal Pride. To our families, teachers, and staff: Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to making this year a resounding success.
We hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled summer break. Take time to recharge, make memories, and we can't wait to welcome you back in the fall! ☀️
Mark your calendars, Cardinals! The countdown to Homecoming is officially on.
📅 Friday, September 25
The annual Homecoming Parade 🏎🎈
The big Homecoming Football Game under the lights 🏈🔥
📅 Saturday, September 26
The Homecoming Dance 💃✨
We can't wait to see our students, families, and alumni come together to show their Cardinal Pride! More details regarding times, themes, and ticket information will be released as the dates get closer. 😉
We are incredibly proud of our high school Key Club members! Through a year of hard work—holding bake sales, selling flowergrams, and volunteering at Culver’s—the club raised $1,000 for the Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC)! 🐶🐱
The students voted as a group to support ARC and recently got to visit the shelter, meet some adorable animals, and present their check.
Thank you, Key Club, for your dedication to our community and its furry friends! 🐾
🥦🍎 Fueling Up for Summer! ☀️🥪
Summer is just around the corner, and Big Rapids Public Schools is committed to ensuring our students continue to have access to healthy, nutritious meals even when school is out of session!
We are proud to participate in the Grab & Go Summer Food Service Program, providing free weekly meal pickups throughout the summer months.
Want to find cooking instructions, pickup schedule and location, or eligibility details? Everything you need to know about our Grab & Go Summer Food Service Program can be found on our website.
🔗 Get all the details here: https://www.brps.org/o/brps/page/summer-food-service-program
