Upcoming Days Off for BAS Students

December 22-January 2 – Holiday Break

District Summary

District Mission

Belding Area Schools will provide educational opportunities that inspire all students to achieve productive, ethical and responsible citizenship.

Belding History

Belding is located in northwestern Ionia County along state highways M-44 and M-91, 25 miles northeast of Grand Rapids in the northwest corner of Ionia County. Belding has a population of approximately 13,000 with businesses ranging from retail shops to manufacturing and extrusion firms. Hiking, horseback riding, fishing, camping, cross country skiing, golfing, jogging and mountain biking are among the many recreational activities available in Belding and surrounding Ionia County. Belding is located less than an hour’s drive from the State Capital and Michigan State University. It is nestled in the very heart of Michigan’s farmland.

This is a highly progressive city with several unique community development projects in the last decade that has put Belding on the map. The downtown area is composed of a covered indoor mall, where most of the merchants are located. There are also several old factory buildings that have been restored into offices and apartments which help maintain the area’s turn of the century look in its architecture. The waterfront park overlooks the restored depot and offers a scenic place for a picnic or stroll.

Belding was named after Hiram Belding who in 1871 who purchased the land from Levi Broas. The Broas Family originally built a mill here in 1839, which was then known as Broas Rapids. Hiram Belding started a silk factory to help pay off the land and Belding became known as the “Silk City.” This thrived to help further develop the town. It was eventually incorporated as a city in 1893.

Belding Area Schools

Belding Area Schools has approximately 2,400 students and is in the Class B OK Blue Sports Conference. The district has one high school, one middle school, and two elementary schools. It operates an Early Childhood Center which includes licensed pre-school, a four year old program, Jumpstart, a pre-primary instructional program for the special education and Headstart.

The district provides alternative programs which include a teenage parent program (TAPP) and Belding Alternative School of Education (BASE) for 16-18 year olds.