Calvin Christian Middle School
AT Calvin YOU
CAN!
SMALL SCHOOL BIG OPPORTUNITIES
Calvin Christian Middle School
WHO WE ARE
MISSION
Equipping students to serve and glorify God.
CORE VALUES
āŗ Grounded in Faith
āŗ Committed to Excellence
āŗ Prepared for Service
āŗ Connected through Relationships
Welcome to Calvin Christian Middle School! There are many amazing opportunities that await your child when they walk through these doors, all of which are centered around the love of Jesus Christ.
From arts to athletics, science to social studies, small groups to chapel, we all walk together in our faith. We teach students to know who God is on a personal level in every class they take and to see Godās sovereignty over all creation.
Our compassionate teachers and staff value each student who walks through our doors. We make it a point to truly know your son or daughter and celebrate the way God made him or her. Our staff will know your childās name so we can walk alongside them spiritually, academically, and emotionally.
There are so many more ways your son or daughter will thrive here at Calvin Christian Middle School. Whether theyāre in 6th, 7th or 8th grade, thereās a place for them here.
In Christ, Jason Folkert Principal,
Jason Folkert
Calvin Christian Middle School
FOUNDATION OF FAITH
At Calvin Christian, we believe that the life-giving truths of the Bible are foundational to all we do. This means we recognize our relationships with one another, to the world we study, and most importantly, to our God, are powerfully directed by the infallible word of God. As a school within the Reformed tradition, this also means we recognize all creation is under Godās sovereign care. Our faith tradition also reminds us of the unmerited gift of Christās work on the cross and that He calls us to a life of gratitude expressed in service, fellowship, and growth. As a school, we believe this is best accomplished in partnership with the home.
Calvin Christian Middle School welcomes all families who desire a Christian education, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, or church affiliation. We provide a Biblically-based academic environment taught from a Christian worldview.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
At CCMS, we count it a privilege to help your child grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Throughout your studentās education, they are taught a foundational Biblical worldview and a growing sense of discernment. Every subject is taught from a Christian perspective as students discover, innovate, and create to proclaim Godās glory. Through weekly chapels, daily devotions and prayer times, student life groups, and service opportunities, we foster an authentic Christian community and encourage students to develop their own personal faith.
Colossians 3:17 directs us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God our Father for all things. Our quest to fulfill that is on full display as our students honor the Lord while growing and using the academic, athletic, problem-solving, musical, and acting gifts they have been given. We come alongside our students to support and challenge them as they develop their God-given gifts and grow into the learners, competitors, performers, leaders, and people they were created to be.
āAnd whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.ā - Colossians 3:17
We partner with our families to carry out Deuteronomy 11:18-21 and etch the Word into the hearts of our students. Yet we are devoted to move beyond merely etching those words in their hearts; we develop our students to share those words and their faith with others, to live out their faith, to love and serve others, and to be discerning as the Bible guides their engagement with the world. We are committed to helping our students build a deeper relationship with Christ while impacting the world for Christ.
āFix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.ā - Deuteronomy 11:18-21
YOU WILL ALSO FIND
āŗ A focus on the āwhole child,ā with education and support for social, emotional, and spiritual health
āŗ An institution fully accredited by Christian Schools International
āŗ Award-winning, Robotics program
āŗ A middle school that is part of the Grandville Calvin Christian School district, serving students from 3-year old preschool through 12th grade
āŗ An emphasis on collaboration, critical-thinking, and project-based learning
āŗ Faculty members who participate in a student support team that monitors all studentsā progress and responds to needs of each student
āŗ Educational Support Services program to meet the needs of a wide variety of students
āŗ Time built into the school day for students to receive targeted help from their teaches in addition to enrichment opportunities
āŗ Opportunities for high-end learners to participate in high school courses
āŗ A strong integration of technology and digital literacy, including a one-to-one Chromebook Program
āŗ Band, orchestra, choir, and multiple extra-curriculars
āŗ A Tribes system, where each student belongs to an inclusive multi-grade tribe in order to build school community and foster a sense of belonging for all students
āŗ Full-time guidance counseling staff to guide students in academics and social/emotional needs
THE ESSENTIALS
Academic Excellence
We are committed to the belief that all students can succeed and God asks for nothing less than the best we have to offer. We also believe that differentiating instruction is the Christ-like call for Christian educators to respond to the varied and differing needs of our students in the diverse world God has made.
Essential 10
We raise up young men and women who show the love of Christ to the world by upholding our Essential 10. The Essential 10 is a list of standards and expectations to help our students navigate the world as image-bearers of God:
1 āŗ Love God above all
2 āŗ Speak kind words
3 āŗ Respect your classmates
4 āŗ Respect adults
Spanish Immersion
5 āŗ Respect othersā space and property
6 āŗ Be honest, always
7 āŗ Do your best
8 āŗ Include everyone
9 āŗ Use technology with wisdom
10 āŗ Be kind
Our Spanish Immersion program allows students to fully experience a second language and culture through core subject content instruction, intentional language study, educational discourse, and social interaction. Students have the opportunity to graduate from CCHS with a college minor in Spanish.
Student Support Services
Realizing all individuals are image bearers of Christ with unique strengths and challenges, Calvin Christian offers support and curriculum to meet the needs of a wide variety of learners.
āŗ Our Educational Support Services Department supports the needs of students with unique needs. This program meets the learning challenges of students with Learning Disabilities, mild Cognitive Impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioral /Emotional challenges, and Physical/Health disabilities.
āŗ Our Inclusive Education Services Department supports the needs of students with intellectual impairments. These services are available to students with moderate to severe disabilities who need moderate to high interventions and support. We help integrate these students into general education classrooms and school extracurricular activities as well as teach specific subject areas based on studentās needs.
Transportation
We offer our own busing services, as well as partner with Grandville Public Schools. Our radius for pickup and dropoff extends several miles in each direction from our campus.
Exploratories
Calvin Christian Middle School offers a variety of exploratory opportunities throughout the year as another avenue for growth and development. These exploratories include but are not limited to Creature Care, Cooking with a Purpose, Disc Golf, Yearbook, Cards and Entertaining, Storytelling, and Money Sense.
Music Program
Our music program allows students to develop their musical gifts and learn how we can worship God through both instrumental ensembles and vocal groups. At CCMS, students can participate in band or orchestra and a vocal singing group, if desired.
School Counseling Services
Our school counselor helps students navigate their middle school years and provides support and guidance in a variety of areas. Both personal and group counseling opportunities are available for all students. Some areas of support include social-emotional learning, executive functioning, conflict management, individual support, family support, and connections to community resources.
Target Time
Twice a week, all students have the opportunity to receive extra help from classroom teachers during a period we call Target Time. This is separate from the normal class time and teachers spend this time helping all students meet essential academic standards. Enrichment and reading opportunities are provided to students during this time as well.
BREAD Groups
BREAD, or Building Relationships for Each Age Through Discipleship, is a small group ministry we have at CCMS. Each student is placed in a small group of peers based on gender and grade and then matched up with an adult leader. The goals of BREAD include spiritual growth, encouragement, praying for one another, and accountability.
Tribes
At CCMS, we believe in creating a place where all children feel like they belong. To foster a sense of community, students are divided equally into six different tribes: Ihamba, Pani, Escuderos, Armigeri, Na makaāi, and Huenda (each meaning Squire in a different language). In these groups, students form friendships, compete on teams, serve, and grow their knowledge in a variety of areas. These tribes, named in honor of the tribes of Israel, cultivate good behavior through a point system, where students can earn points for their tribe by following the Essential 10.
Co-Curricular Activities
Athletics, Robotics, Game Club, 8th Grade Play, Skating Parties, Spelling Bee, MathCounts
ATHLETICS
ATHLETICS // WE SERVE GOD ON OUR COURTS & FIELDS
Athletics are a powerful avenue for growing Christ-like leadership, Christian character, and community. Beyond physical conditioning, athletics affords the opportunity to honor God with our gifts, to grow as brothers and sisters in Christ, and celebrate in the life He has given us. There is opportunity for all students to be on an athletic team at Calvin Christian Middle School.
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Our interscholastic athletic program provides all students with the opportunity to develop their talents in competition with students from other schools.
āŗ 6th Grade Boys & Girls
Cross Country
Golf
Swimming
Tennis
Track & Field
āŗ 7th & 8th Grade Girls
Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Soccer
Softball Swimming Tennis
Track
Volleyball
āŗ 7th & 8th Grade Boys
Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track
Volleyball (8th Grade)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How big is the school?
A: Approximately 150 students in grades 6 through 8
Q: What are the school hours?
A: School begins at 7:47 am and ends at 2:28 pm. We have āLate Start Wednesdaysā where school begins at 8:30 am while our teachers participate in professional development.
Q: Is there a School Lunch Program?
A: We partner with Grandville Public Schools for daily hot lunch.
Q: How do we find out about events and other information?
A: www.GoSquires.org
CURRICULUM
6th Grade
āŗ Art
āŗ Band/Orchestra
āŗ Bible
āŗ General Music/Choir
āŗ Language Arts
āŗ Library
āŗ Math
āŗ Physical Education
āŗ Science
āŗ Social Studies
āŗ Spanish for non-immersion students
āŗ Spanish Culture for Spanish Immersion students
āŗ Target Time (time for extra assistance and enrichment)
7th Grade
āŗ Art
āŗ Band/Orchestra
āŗ Bible
āŗ Choir
āŗ Language Arts
āŗ Math
āŗ Physical Education
āŗ Science
āŗ Social Studies
āŗ Spanish for non-immersion students
āŗ Spanish Culture for Spanish Immersion students
āŗ Target Time (time for extra assistance and enrichment)
8th Grade
āŗ Art
āŗ Band/Orchestra
āŗ Bible
āŗ Choir
āŗ Language Arts
āŗ Math
āŗ Physical Education
āŗ Science
āŗ Social Studies
āŗ Spanish for non-immersion students
āŗ Spanish Culture for Spanish Immersion students
āŗ Tapestry
āŗ Target Time (time for extra assistance and enrichment)
AFFORDABILITY
Grandville Calvin Christian School provides a Christian education to children of families who desire to partner with us. Our Squire Fund keeps tuition affordable and provides opportunities for financial assistance. More than $625,000 in tuition assistance was awarded to students in the 2023-24 school year.
AFFORDABLE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Tuition assistance is available to those who qualify and is based on various criteria including (but not limited to) need, family income, church assistance, family situation, and other available resources. Grandville Calvin Christian School awards annual scholarships and grants to families unable to afford full tuition. Families apply for tuition assistance, scholarships, and/or grants in January and February for the following school year.
CHURCH ASSISTANCE
A number of churches in west Michigan provide assistance to parents wishing to provide Christian education for their children. Contact your church to see if funds are available.
TUITION REDUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM (TRIP)
Many Grandville Calvin Christian School families reduce their tuition simply by shopping at businesses they normally patronize. Simply buy a TRIP gift card to your favorite business, and a portion of your purchases will be credited to your tuition.
NEXT STEPS
We are so glad that you are considering Calvin Christian Middle School as part of your childās academic and spiritual journey. Here are the next steps to enrolling your child(ren) at Calvin Christian:
āŗ Get to know us better and schedule a visit with our Middle School Principal, Jason Folkert
āŗ Schedule a Shadow Day visit for your child
āŗ February 28 - First round of Tuition Assistance applications are due (application period opens January 1)
āŗ April 30 - Tuition Assistance award notifications are sent
*Late admission and tuition assistance applications will be accepted and considered. Tuition assistance is awarded on a needs-based system for qualifying families.