Grand River Academy, formerly known as Grand River Institute, is noted for being one of Ohio's oldest educational institutions, beginning in 1831 as the Ashtabula County Institute of Science & Industry. It has been in operation for over two centuries, and continues to be an accredited institution.
Grand River was formed by prominent leaders of the congregational church in Austinburg. It was initially a boys only school, to prepare them for ministry, but soon after accepted girls in 1840. The name, and location were notably changed in 1836, as Joab Austin had pledged a considerable endowment for the Academy.
Many notable figures studied at Grand River, or worked there. Betsy Mix Cowles, a noted abolitionist and suffragist, was appointed in 1843 to Principal in charge of the Women's Department at the school until 1848. Several yearbooks from the Academy are available on the Ashtabula Memory, dating from 1912 to 1979.
A few notable alumni include from Ashtabula County include;
- Theodore Elijah Burton, born in Jefferson, who served as both a US Representative and Senator for Ohio;
- John Philo Hoyt, born in Austinburg, who was Arizona's fourth governor;
- Elbert L. Lampson, born in Windsor Township, who became lieutenant governor of Ohio, and state senator of Ohio;
- Edwin Cowles, born in Austinburg, who published the Cleveland Leader, and was postmaster for Cleveland;
A few notable alumni from outside of Ashtabula County include;
- John Brown, Jr., son of the famed abolitionist, who also had a considerable presence in Ashtabula County;
- Benjamin Goodrich, who founded the well-known tire brand, BFGoodrich;
- Alfred Cowles, who formed the Cowles Commission during the Great Depression;
- Clarence E. Allen, a US Representative for Utah;
- Albert G. Egbert, a US Representative for Pennsylvania; Alphonso Hart, a US Representative for Ohio;
- Ralph Hill, a US Representative for Indiana;
- Julius C. Burrows, who served as both a US Representative and Senator for Michigan