A gridded spacer assembly (130, 230) for a field emission display (100, 200) includes a plurality of spacers (135, 235), a focusing grid (132, 232) having a plurality of spacer apertures (133) in which the spacers (135, 235) are disposed and to which the spacers (135, 235) are affixed adjacent their lower end, a stabilization grid (138, 238) having a plurality of spacer apertures (137) in registration with the spacer apertures (133) of the focusing grid (132, 232), the spacers (135, 235) being disposed therein and affixed thereto adjacent their upper end, the focusing grid (132, 232) and the stabilization grid (138, 238) having a plurality of focusing apertures (139) for collimating and focusing a beam of electrons (150).