“Since its inception, Grand Rapids Christian Schools has emerged with a reputation of outstanding academic instruction, comprehensive support and inclusion services, cutting-edge programming, and exceptional fine art and athletic programs— all rooted in an unwavering commitment to being a distinctly Christian school.”
— Nick DeKoster assistant superintendent of advancement and instruction
More than 26,000 graduates of Grand Rapids Christian Schools are putting their Christ-centered education to work in communities and professions around the world. Our graduates are leaders in every walk of life – making a positive contribution to their communities. They make us proud, and set a great example for the next generation of graduates.
A LETTER FROM THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT
Dear parents, alumni, and friends:
This Impact Report provides a space to tell a number of remarkable stories of Grand Rapids Christian Schools (GRCS). These are stories of celebration, stories of struggle, stories of provision, and stories of faithfulness. You’ll read about the way our schools are partnering with those in Kenya and Honduras to provide Christian education for students around the world. In these pages, you’ll learn how we’re serving the very youngest members of our community. And you’ll hear about a very special 13-year relationship between one of our students and the woman who helped make GRCS accessible for her.
While all of these stories are significant, none of them are the most important story. Since GRCS’s founding, the one story that matters more than all of the rest is the story of how God is at work in this world.
In the following pages you will read and see how our mission—preparing students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society—and our values—Christ, Community, and Commitment—are faithfully being lived out at GRCS. We have so much to celebrate.
As we reflect on this past year, we do indeed have so much to be grateful for. God has provided and continues to provide for the GRCS learning community in so many ways.
As we reflect on this past year, I also want to take this opportunity to thank Tom DeJonge for his 20 years of strategic leadership at GRCS. The many accomplishments we celebrate in this Impact Report were made possible in part through Tom’s steady and faithful leadership.
Thanks for taking the time to celebrate God’s good work at GRCS. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the superintendent. Even as we celebrate the past, I am eager to see what God has in store for our future.
With deep thanks,
Aaron Winkle Superintendent | Grand Rapids Christian Schools
Thank you, Tom! LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
“Tom’s passion for Christian education has been clear throughout his career.”
— Rev. Rebecca Jordan Heys president of the board of trustees
An Eagle since the age of five when he enrolled at Seymour Christian School and part of a family that attended Grand Rapids Christian Schools (GRCS) across generations since 1928, Tom DeJonge retired in June as superintendent after twenty years of service. He leaves in the wake of his departure a groundswell of gratitude and goodwill.
During his time at the helm, Tom oversaw many timely and transformative projects, including three comprehensive strategic plans, and more than $70 million in new capital construction and facility renovations across all five campuses. These included newly built and renovated schools, new administration offices, upgraded athletic facilities, and most recently the Olivia Haverkamp Early Learning Center. At the same time, the Grand Rapids Christian School Foundation quadrupled, the annual fund doubled, and operational debt was eliminated.
These and a myriad of other accomplishments at both institutional and personal levels have empowered GRCS to provide a best-in-class, Christ-centered education to thousands of students.
“Tom’s passion for Christian education has been clear throughout his career,” says Rebecca Jordan Heys, president of the Board of Trustees. “Through his hard work and commitment to GRCS families, the district is in a strong place moving forward, and we thank Tom and his family for his faithful servant leadership.”
MISSION
Preparing students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society
VISION
We are a community of Christ-followers who love God and our neighbors, cultivating Christian learning environments where students discover their potential, develop their talents, and passionately share their gifts with the world (portrait of a GRCS graduate), leading lives of purpose as living testimonies for Jesus Christ in a broken but hopeful world, generation after generation.
Portrait of a Graduate
disciples of christ
Prepared to follow Christ with faithfulness, resilience, and humility in a broken but hopeful world
culturally competent
Prepared to engage with a diverse range of people and ideologies
communicators and collaborators
Prepared to work in a team environment, articulate ideas, and consider multiple viewpoints
thoughtful neighbors
Prepared to practice hospitality, compassion, service, and empathy for those around them
justice seekers
Prepared to actively pursue greater wholeness in the world by working for justice and practicing stewardship
creative solution finders
Prepared to identify issues, engage in critical thinking, and persistently work toward solutions
lifelong explorers
Prepared to live a life of discovery and wonder in God’s world
CORE VALUES
Christ
We are rooted in Christ.
We believe our world belongs to God, and we actively seek to grow deeper in our knowledge of him, our love for his word, and our understanding that everything we do is for his honor and glory. We are disciples of Christ, prepared to follow him with faithfulness, resilience, and humility in a broken but hopeful world.
Community
We are better together.
We are a community of belonging, connected through relationships, and reflected in the love and respect we show one another. We believe that all people are made uniquely in the image of God. We are committed to creating a redemptive environment that reflects the rich differences of God’s creation.
Commitment
We lead lives of purpose.
We believe that character matters, and we are serious about our own and others’ growth. We are committed to excellence as God defines, giving our best for his glory.
We believe that strength is for service, not status, and we carry that mindset in the classroom, in competition, and in our community.
BY MARK VANDERWERF | Bible Teacher, HS Chaplain
Trees are everywhere in the Bible. In Genesis, we’re told that God created “all kinds of trees,” including “the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3
“Serán llamados robles de justicia, plantío del Señor, para mostrar su gloria.”
Isaías 61:3
The psalmist described a righteous person as a tree planted by streams of water (Ps. 1) and Proverbs describes wisdom as “a tree of life to those who take hold of her” (Prov. 3). In the final chapter of the Bible we are given a glimpse of God’s coming kingdom where the leaves of the tree of life are a source of “healing of the nations” (Rev. 22). And, of course, the hinge upon which the entire biblical story rises and falls is the cursed tree on the hill of Golgotha through which Jesus gives life for the world (Gal. 3:13).
And so when the prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah and the signs of God’s Kingdom, he turns to the fruitful image of a tree: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isa. 61:1-2, 3)
We, who are in Christ—teachers and students alike—share in this anointing and are called to be oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Wherever God plants us, now or in the future, we are to be a place of flourishing for all of creation and humanity.
“... my vision is what GRCS has been called to from its initial founding – to help students look, sound, and act more like our Savior Jesus Christ.”
— Aaron Winkle superintendent
GOD, NEIGHBOR, HIS WORLD. LOVE
BY AARON WINKLE | Superintendent
On January 9, 2024, I was announced as the next superintendent of Grand Rapids Christian Schools. Since the announcement I have been asked one question more than any other:
What is my vision for the future of GRCS?
Some questions are hard to answer, but this one isn’t.
My vision for GRCS is simple—to help students learn what it means to love God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength; to love their neighbors as themselves; to love God’s good but fallen world; and to recognize that every person is made in God’s image.
That’s my vision for GRCS. Put another way, my vision is what GRCS has been called to from its initial founding—to help students look, sound, and act more like our Savior Jesus Christ.
That’s why the first of our three core values is Christ. It is our deep hope to see Christ as the center of all we do, from the classroom to the athletic field, from the science lab to the greenhouse, from theater stage to the STEAM lab.
One of my mentors once told me that the role of a leader is to be a CRO. When he said it, I didn’t know what he meant. I knew the CEO was the Chief Executive Officer, and that the CFO was the Chief Financial Officer. But I had
never heard of a CRO. One of the vital roles of a leader, he said, was to be the Chief Reminding Officer.
After he mentioned this to me, I began to notice how often in Scripture God tells his people to “remember.” The word appears more than 350 times.
It is as if God knew our human tendencies to forget.
What was true in biblical times is also true today. We are people who are prone to forget, to lose sight of what really matters. Life gets busy; calendars get full; the siren’s call of something better distracts us from what we were called to.
As we look back on the more than 100 years of GRCS, I celebrate and honor the leaders who have come before me. Without the steadfastness of former superintendents, principals, and board members, we would not have the faithful expression of Christian education we have today at GRCS.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN CHAPEL
The entire Bible in less than an hour. Guided yoga with a centering Bible verse or prayer. Hip-Hop Hallelujah. God and anxiety. What the life of a pastor is really like. Disney’s Magic Kingdom and the Kingdom of God. God and sports. Praying around the world.
These are just a few of more than forty diverse worship topics that Grand Rapids Christian high schoolers could choose from in the new “Choose Your Own Chapel” program that was offered twice during the 2023-2024 fall and spring semesters.
“This was an idea that first originated with some chapel interns [students who help plan and lead chapel] a couple of years ago and finally grew into fruition last school year,” reports Mark VanderWerf, GRCHS chaplain and Bible and theology teacher.
Planners centered their efforts on Romans 12:1 — “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” The chapel interns were interested in the ways that worship can happen outside a church or chapel setting. “We believe that our world belongs to God, and therefore all parts of our lives are lived before God as an act of worship,” VanderWerf explains.
Another guiding tenet was the desire to offer students choices and variety in the ways they worship. “During our chapel sessions throughout the school year, we are all together as a community, and there is something very beautiful and important about that. We are not going to change this. It is part of who we are,” VanderWerf emphasizes. “However, we also wanted to give students some level of
choice and autonomy to learn and express their worship in a way that seemed fitting for them.”
Most sessions were led by teachers and staff. “During our brainstorming meetings, it was really cool to see teachers tapping into their own interests,” says current senior Hannah Chun. Other sessions, however, were student-led, and a few were led by outside guests. These included GRCHS alumnus and former U.S. Congressman Justin Amash, himself a Palestinian Christian who led a session on the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Alumnus and recently retired NFL pro Kavon Frazier and Buffalo Bills chaplain Len Vanden Bos also joined for the day to lead sessions on God and sports.
With overwhelmingly positive responses from students and staff, plans are underway to offer the “Choose Your Own Chapel” program again in this school year.
KIDS HELPING KIDS
Iroquois Students Raise Funds for Jubilee School in Honduras
Elementary students at Grand Rapids Christian’s Iroquois campus know firsthand that you’re never too young to show Christ’s love by helping other kids in need.
For the past two years, Iroquois students have raised money to buy athletic supplies for Jubilee School, a Christian school in Tegucigalpa, Honduras serving at-risk children in an impoverished neighborhood. Its Athletes for Christ program provides physical education opportunities year-round. The goal is to promote healthy, Christcentered values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.
Through Iroquois’ “Jump for Jubilee” fundraising effort, students earned donations based on the amount of time they committed to engaging in jumping or other heart-healthy physical activities. Sponsorships were secured for 15-minute increments of activity. Students were able to work on their activity goals at home, and Iroquois also provided jump ropes they could use during recess.
The donations raised for Jubilee School have been used to buy balls, nets, cones, hurdles, jerseys, and other sports accessories. Some funds have also been used to supplement part of the trainers’ stipend.
There are now 65 students in Jubilee’s Athletes for Christ program—30 more than last year—and four trainers—one more than last year. Plus, the school has reported that there’s even more organization and excitement to play.
“We are so grateful for your support and the support of staff, students, and families at GRCES Iroquois!” says Emily Romero, Jubilee School co-director, in a video produced by the school. Jubilee students express their gratitude in the video as well, theirs in the form of a rap song: “With grateful hearts, we’re ready to play,” they sing. “With friends by our side, we’re never alone. In God’s love, our community grows.”
Tim TerHaar, who teaches PE at GRCES Iroquois and coaches the varsity boys’ soccer team, says, “Our mission in supporting Jubilee School is to reflect Christ’s love through action. By raising funds for sporting supplies, we’re not only providing physical resources but helping to create an environment where children can grow in faith, discipline, and fellowship.”
“Our mission in supporting Jubilee School is to reflect Christ’s love through action.”
— Tim TerHaar
GRCES, Iroquois PE Teacher
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
The Affirming Splendor of
Community in Christ
Julia LaGrand’s story is just one example of how being part of the Grand Rapids Christian Schools community can impact a student’s educational journey and personal growth. It’s about what happens when students are encouraged to develop their abilities and given the support they need for achievement and success.
For 13 years, 2022 graduate Julia LaGrand and GRCS Student Support Services staff member Elizabeth Huisman shared a partnership of learning. Their relationship began when Julia started kindergarten as a student who was visually impaired, and it extended all the way to her high school graduation in 2022. Thanks to the Eagles Fund, throughout all those years, Huisman was Julia’s aide and mentor, her advocate and encourager, and ultimately her friend.
“Having that support for so many years has been incredibly special. Beyond the academic assistance, having someone who knew me so well and could adapt to my learning needs made all the difference.”
— Julia LaGrand CLASS OF 2022
The results speak for themselves. Today, Julia is enrolled in a dual program at New England Conservatory and Harvard University. An accomplished student and violinist, in July she performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as one of four recipients of its prestigious 2024 Access/Very Special Arts International Young Musicians Award.
Julia expresses deep gratitude for her experiences at GRCS, especially the personalized attention she received. “Having that support for so many years has been incredibly special. Beyond the academic assistance, having someone who knew me so well and could adapt to my learning needs made all the difference,” she says.
Huisman was initially focused on teaching Julia braille and providing in-person classroom support. But as Julia’s abilities grew, Huisman’s role evolved.
“In the beginning, it was very hands-on. I was there to make sure Julia didn’t miss out on anything and to adapt materials for her needs,” she explains. “As Julia grew more independent, my role shifted to advocacy and preparation, ensuring that her teachers understood how to best support her.”
It wasn’t always an easy path for either of them. As Julia transitioned into high school, complex subjects required sophisticated adaptations. “Materials in math and science often introduced new visual symbols, which we had to translate into braille,” Huisman recounts. “This meant learning the precise names for mathematical symbols and ensuring Julia understood them as well.”
Through it all, Julia was an integral part of the GRCS community. Even the presence of her guide dog was quickly accepted by fellow students and teachers as an ordinary occurrence—including the “Do Not Pet Me;
I am Working” sign hanging from his neck and his occasional bouts of snoring in class (particularly algebra).
“I had such excellent support from a huge range of people,” Julia recalls. “On one level, just the great education I got is so valuable to me—the way I was able to explore so many different subjects and had such great classes throughout my education. I think, on another level, my curiosity was always encouraged, which has just been such a powerful gift to have—whether that was through the encouragement of friends and teachers or just the general community.”
It wasn’t just Julia who benefited from her being part of the GRCS community. She’s also had a profound impact on those around her.
“Working with Julia has given me a new understanding of the world and its diversity. It’s been a privilege to be part of her journey,” says Huisman.
Unlike many schools that separate students with disabilities into self-contained classrooms or won’t admit them at all, “I think the most important thing for me is that we are able to create communities of belonging,” says Kim Primus, Executive Director of Student Support Services. “I think it’s so amazing that our students know they belong here and that student support services come alongside them to provide the support they need to be successful. That every student at our school knows that they are loved. That they are known. That they are valued. That they have a place. That they really matter. That they’re a gift. And that they have gifts to share.”
“I talk a lot about the ripple effect. It starts with one child in a classroom. Everyone gets to know and love that child well. This starts changing hearts. How you treat other people changes. How you look at others changes. I like to think that you’re starting to see glimpses of heaven. Glimpses of God. This changes a community.”
“I talk a lot about the ripple effect. It starts with one child in a classroom. Everyone gets to know and love that child well. This starts changing hearts. How you treat other people changes. How you look at others changes. I like to think that you’re starting to see glimpses of heaven. Glimpses of God. This changes a community.”
— Kim Primus executive director of student support services
100 TREES AT A TIME
This past school year, students and staff at Rockford Christian School planted more than 100 trees on the school’s campus. The act was a celebration of God’s faithfulness to Grand Rapids Christian Schools as well as a relevant and reverent deed of restoration for the world.
Nature-rich learning experiences such as this are ingrained throughout RCS’s preschool to eighth grade curriculum. Through direct experiences in creation, students are encouraged to grow academically and spiritually as they learn about their Creator God. As a result, they become better equipped to face important ecological issues and act as agents of restoration in our world.
“Nature-rich learning opportunities are a key way we prepare kids as effective servants of Christ,” says Ben Buursma, principal.
Students and staff teamed up to plant the trees, which are all Michigan natives. Tree number 32, a sugar maple, joined five other maples and a sycamore to line the driveway to the staff parking lot. Trees 65 and 66, both cedars, found a new home next to the fifth grade outdoor classroom near the pond. And trees 70-91, which sit along the fence of the preschool playscape, all promise some delicious fruit in the coming years: apple, pear, peach, cherry, apricot and plum.
But tree number 102, an oak that was planted in the front of campus, holds particular significance to the school community as a living memorial to beloved staff member Carina Shuurman. Mrs. Schuurman nurtured many students in her tenure as an RCS third grade teacher, and she will be remembered for her creative eye, curious spirit, and abiding Christian faith. Mrs. Schuurman was truly an oak of righteousness planted by God in the Grand Rapids Christian Schools community for his splendor.
LEARNING ABOUT LEADERSHIP
Providing opportunities for students to develop leadership skills is an important part of education. That’s why for the past four years, Grand Rapids Christian Middle School has instituted a Student Advisory Board (SAB). The Board is a way for qualified seventh and eighth grade students to have a positive impact on their school community while also gaining practical experience in what it takes to be a strong leader.
Each year, seventh and eighth graders are invited to apply, and their applications are reviewed by the student life team. “We look for applicants who identify the qualities they have that they think would be beneficial to the SAB. We also ask for examples of how they’ve shown leadership in the past,” says Sara Seth, GRCMS principal. “In addition, we’re interested in applicants’ ideas of what topics or activities SAB should address to make a positive impact on student life.” Faculty also provide input on applications, sharing valuable feedback on leadership skills that they have seen in potential SAB members.
One current SAB initiative is the Eagle Mart, a student-operated store that is open twice per week where GRCMS students can buy a snack or drink during morning break. The store is a big hit with hungry middle school students, but it’s also a great opportunity for SAB members to develop their management skills. One of the 2024-2025 student managers, Isaac Vermerris, reflected on his two years of helping manage the Eagle Mart. “Working at the Eagle Mart taught me skills that I will use in high school and for the rest of my life,” he says.
But beyond offering perks for snack consumers and store managers, Eagle Mart is also an effort to foster generosity within the student body. All proceeds from the store go toward providing books, computers, and other educational supplies to the students at Kakuma Refugee School in northwest Kenya, where GRCS has had a years-long partnership through GRCS parent Simon Luk. Last year alone, the Eagle Mart raised $4,400 for this important cause.
Along with the Eagle Mart, the SAB has collected food items for Green Apple Pantry, raked leaves for a GRCMS neighbor, and even orchestrated a school-wide Acts of Kindness month. The students on the board truly live out the GRCS values of Christ, Community, and Commitment in the way they serve God and their peers as leaders in kingdom work.
“The best way to describe Coach Taylor is consistent. As a fourth grader he gave me shooting pointers and many years later he followed up to see how I was doing. ET teaches our team to do our best, on and off the court. And that it’s important to always give 100% and not worry about the mistakes you might make.
– TYLER DAVIS GRCHS STUDENT
WITH ERIC (ET) TAYLOR
Grand Rapids Christian High School Dean of Student Life
Head Coach | Boys’ Varsity Basketball
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
Amanda Matthews sits down with Eric Taylor, GRCHS dean of student life and head coach of the boys basketball team, to have a conversation about experiencing setbacks and triumphs.
Q: Let’s start by talking about your career path. What motivated you to work with high school students?
ET: Growing up, I always had a desire to work with people. Because I was a basketball player in high school (Wyoming Park High School) and college (Oakland University) I knew from my own experience that the game can be a powerful platform for influencing young people in a positive way. I played pro in Europe for several years after college and then came back home and was the Grand Rapids Community College women’s coach for three seasons. During that time, Jonathan Quist, who’s an art teacher here, and I were both on a church leadership team. One day he brought some of his students over to do some murals. I started interacting with them and Jonathan liked what he saw, I guess. He recommended me to GRC. In 2013 I started my career here as dean of student life and assistant boys’ basketball coach under Mark Warners until he retired from coaching in 2018. Then I was named head coach.
Becoming part of GRC was God’s providence at work in my life. I truly believe that. I’ve found my calling here.
Q: What specific challenges did you face over the last year?
ET: My health challenges started in the summer of 2023. My wife and I were at a concert in Detroit waiting for it to start when I started experiencing pain and numbness. An off-duty nurse just happened to be sitting near us. She recognized right away that I was having a stroke and immediately took action. Turns out, it was massive. It’s only by God’s grace that I survived, much less without any visible side effects.
Having such a close call and experiencing such a miracle of recovery gave me a new perspective. I realized more than ever that I’m here for a purpose. That means embracing every day and every moment as a gift from God and an opportunity to make a difference.
I was determined to be back on the job for the 2023-2024 school year. Then I experienced a few setbacks. I started having vision problems. They found out I had a hole in my heart that needed to be fixed. Then I developed a detached retina. But we got through those challenges too. I wasn’t sure I’d be ready to coach the season. But after my doctor gave me the okay, I decided I needed to be there for the team. From start to close, I had so much support from so many people.
Prayers and the faith I have in my Lord and Savior got me through. My faith was strong to begin with, and I never wavered from it—I knew he had me.
Q: Was there a specific verse that was meaningful to you during this challenging time?
ET: Proverbs 8:28. It reminds me to trust God’s wisdom. God’s always been there since the beginning of time when he established the clouds above and the foundations of earth beneath. I’ve always leaned into this.
Q: How do you handle setbacks? How do you remain committed?
ET: I’m resilient by nature, and that mindset has helped me navigate through the experiences of sports and life—the adversity, setbacks and obstacles you go through along with the wins. You need to have a strong foundation, and this is what I try to inspire in my students and players. My personal approach is typically asking: How is God using this setback to grow or shape me? I always try to find how God is using me in any situation for His glory.
Q: What drives you to keep going when the work becomes difficult or discouraging?
ET: Alongside my faith, what drives me to keep going personally is my family. They are my driving force to persevere daily.
On the job, it’s the passion and love I have for our students—my desire to be an inspiration and an example to them. To connect with them when they’re having challenging times. To give them hope when they’re discouraged. To share relational stories to lift them up and empower them. Making connections and meeting them where they’re at, every time.
I love the serenity prayer: “God, give us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Q: How do you encourage perseverance in your students, especially when they face academic or personal obstacles?
ET: I think it’s helping them stay connected with their “why.” Why are you here? Why are we doing this? So, it’s helping them identify their why and the goals that come out of that.
Q: What advice would you give about staying committed and persevering through tough times to someone new to working with high school students?
ET: The best thing you can ever give to anyone is your time. When I was in high school, I’d stay after school a couple times a week to talk to my teachers in a focused way. That helped me be ready for college.
I think that when you tell a student your story, you’re giving them resources and hope that they can succeed. Sharing our stories is how we build our community. We’re learning lessons together.
Q: How has your understanding of commitment and perseverance changed since you started working with high school students?
ET: What I’ve learned from students is the importance of becoming a good listener. I often hear students say, “No one listens to me.” Listening is a big commitment. It communicates that you value that person, that you think they’re important. It’s essential for building a relationship with a sense of belonging.
I sometimes sit back and reflect on seniors who have graduated and think about those memories and realize they’re gone. But I feel encouraged, despite my emotions, that it’s time for these Eagles to fly, to launch. Then I take a deep breath and know I have the next group to keep in mind. They all mean a lot to me.
NURTURING YOUNG LEARNERS
Play and pray—both are cornerstones of the Olivia Haverkamp Early Learning Center (ELC) at Grand Rapids Christian’s Evergreen campus. Launched in January 2023, the ELC has rapidly succeeded in its goal of providing Christ-centered, year-round licensed childcare for community children between 18 months and three years of age.
“We’re so grateful that God has guided and is richly blessing this endeavor to provide nurturing care for young learners. It’s a tangible expression of his love.”
“We know that early childhood experiences make a lifetime of difference in the lives of young children and their families,” says Tara Udeh, the ELC director. “Through play and joyful learning experiences, we encourage the diverse children entrusted in our care to develop a sense of awe and wonder of the world that God created. And through praying with these youngest learners and praying for them, we aspire to be a nurturing, Christcentered environment where every child can blossom and grow in their emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.”
— Aaron Winkle SUPERINTENDENT
The ELC is named in honor of Olivia Haverkamp, a 2019 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School who passed away in January 2020 after battling cancer for nearly three years. Her love of learning and persistent faith provide a banner of inspiration for the work of the ELC.
In addition to outdoor play areas, the ELC has five classrooms. Two are “Buds” rooms for children
ranging from 18 to 30 months with two caregivers and eight children in each. The other three are “Blossoms” rooms for children 30 months to three years with two caregivers for a maximum of 14 children in each.
With Udeh as director and Courtney Vander Lugt as assistant director, the ELC is also staffed by a number of GRCS alumni. Jasmine Brown, Justice Crawford, Panecia Howard, and Jenna Pegman all developed a passion for early childhood education in their time at GRCS, and the ELC is thrilled to have them using their gifts to serve the youngest members of the GRCS community.
Since its opening, the ELC has received excellent feedback from parents and has been operating with a consistent waiting pool. “The ELC addresses the growing need for childcare within our community in an environment that reflects the core values and programs for which Grand Rapids Christian Schools is known and what parents and members of the community have come to expect,” notes GRCS superintendent Aaron Winkle. “We’re so grateful that God has guided and is richly blessing this endeavor to provide nurturing care for young learners. It’s a tangible expression of his love.”
After the 2023-24 academic year, we honored many of our esteemed colleagues in their combined 201 years of service. We express our deepest gratitude for their invaluable contributions. Their legacy will continue to inspire and shape the future of our school.
CYNDI Betts GRCHS Orchestra Teacher
TOM DeJonge GRCS Superintendent
JENIFER Gunnink GRCHS Teacher
JILL Hausmann GRCHS Inclusion Aide
CINDY Holwerda GRCES Iroquois Educational Staff
JACKIE Noordewier
PHIL Warners RCS Director of Outdoor Education
JAN Wilkins GRCES Evergreen Math Instructional Aide
A CENTURY TO CELEBRATE
BY NICK DEKOSTER | Assistant Superintendent of Advancement and Instruction
In 1892, in two rooms on the second floor of a modest house on Hancock Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan, what we know today as the Grand Rapids Christian Schools was born.
A council from the Christian Reformed Church felt led to establish a Christian school. In its early stages, the first students spoke both Dutch and English, but by 1918, all instruction had transitioned to English. Just two years later, in 1920, a high school was added.
Since its inception, Grand Rapids Christian Schools has emerged with a reputation of outstanding academic instruction, comprehensive support and inclusion services, cutting-edge programming, and exceptional fine art and athletic programs—all rooted in an unwavering commitment to being a distinctly Christian school. Today, our schools are made up of a diverse and vibrant community. Our five campuses have collectively brought up 26,000 alumni and currently represent forty-two zip codes and 25 countries in the student body.
As we celebrated our 100-year milestone in 20232024, each campus honored our history in unique and memorable ways.
The Evergreen Campus came alive with the spirit of the 1950s during a Sock Hop event. Students and families gathered in the gym for a night filled with dancing, classic root beer floats, and retro outfits featuring poodle skirts and varsity jackets.
At the Iroquois Campus, students commemorated the anniversary with birthday cake, a parade
around the track, and a group photo via drone where all students formed the number 100 on the soccer field.
Rockford Christian School embraced its nature-rich surroundings by planting over 100 trees across its 36-acre campus. (Check out the feature on page 22 for details.)
Grand Rapids Christian Middle School gathered for a community picnic and the dedication of a new learning garden. An oak tree was planted as a lasting symbol of God’s faithfulness, and to seek his blessing for the next 100 years.
At GRCHS students participated in a 100-year contest, where entries celebrated the legacy and future of GRCS. The winning entry, by 2023 graduate Emily Hoekstra, created a stunning eagle painting made with ashes from the high school’s prayer wall and oil paints.
As we reflect on the past century, we are grateful for those who answered the call to provide Christian education to our community. What began in just two rooms on Hancock Street has grown into 100 years of Christian education that has shaped who we are today. We believe the next 100 years will be shaped by the students who walk through our hallways each morning, equipped to serve Christ in a contemporary world.
$5,460,000 Awarded in Scholarships
This mural was painted to represent the graduating class of 2024 as lifelong explorers. The class of 2024 is full of individuals with unique talents and gifts to explore the world. The hot air balloons represent stops in life that will stretch and grow the graduates. Whether through career, recreation, or faith, the class of 2024 desires to seek opportunities to influence and impact the world in ways they never thought possible. – Mural painted by Micah Heerema ‘24, Genevieve Jones ‘24, Anne Sepa ‘24, and Adia Sikkema ‘24
2024 SENIOR AWARDS
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN ART:
Genevieve Jones
EAGLE ATHLETE AWARD: Natalie VanOtteren and Zeke Heerema
SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD:
Robyn Tatko and Henry Jackson
BAARMAN AWARD: Faith Kelly
BROTHER LAWRENCE AWARD:
Dylan Clark, Ethan Ogle, Anne Sepa, and Adia Sikkema
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN ENGLISH: Erin Buursma
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES: Ruth Pewee
HEART FOR INCLUSION SERVICES AWARD:
Anna VanHeulen and Kaitlin Pegman
CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AWARD: Jiayin (Sarah) Wang
HOSPITALITY AWARD: Ella Anderson
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN MATHEMATICS: Richard VerHoef
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA BAND AWARD: Rowan Zeyl
NATIONAL SCHOOL ORCHESTRA AWARD: Joey Pastoor
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHORAL AWARD: Lucas Phelps
ARION MUSIC AWARD: Levi Fynewever
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION: Spencer Burg
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN THE SCIENCES: Claire Kooy
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN SOCIAL STUDIES AND THE RECIPIENT OF THE DR. HOWARD J. WIARDA SCHOLARSHIP: Richard VerHoef
SENIOR THEATRE DRAMA/SPOTLIGHT AWARD: Lucas Phelps
SENIOR THEATRE TECH AWARD: Kylea Rogers
OUTSTANDING SENIOR THESPIAN AWARD: Elizabeth Caldon
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN ASL: Annelle Dykema
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN FRENCH: Anne Sepa and Kaitlin Pegman
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN GERMAN: George Boville
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN SPANISH: Anna Lindstrom
OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN SPANISH IMMERSION: Henry Jackson
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF MERIT: Ella Anderson
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS:
Isabella Brady-Peters, Elijah Compagner, Levi Fynewever, Henry Jackson, Claire Kooy, and Frankie Volkema
OLIVIA HAVERKAMP EAGLE BLUEPRINT AWARD: Luk Lagwi, Ethan Ogle, Adia Sikkema, and Ella Anderson
TOP TEN SENIORS:
Isabella Brady-Peters, Henry Jackson, Claire Kooy, Ben Sytsma, Robyn Tatko, Will VanWingerden, Richard VerHoef, Alex VerMeulen, Frankie Volkema, and Angelina Young
GIVING THE GIFT OF OPPORTUNITY
For over 100 years, GRCS has provided a world-class, distinctively Christian education that is rooted in Christ, Community, and Commitment.
The Eagles Fund opens our doors to families who are not able to afford the full cost of a Christian education on their own, along with investing in enriched educational experiences for all of our students. Through its backing of innovative programs and student support services, the Eagles Fund ensures that students not only have access to enroll at GRCS, but that every student has the best opportunity to flourish here.
TO LEARN MORE: visit grcs.org/give
Thank you for supporting Christ-centered education.
2023-2024 Financials
Preparing
2024-2025 Volunteer Leadership
Board of Trustees
Rev. Rebecca Jordan Heys president
Dr. Debbye Turner Bell vice president
Caleb Doezema ‘94 secretary
Chris TerVeen treasurer
Kara Amash ‘98
Khary Bridgewater
Jonathan Kok
Jamie Kuiper
Dr. Khan Nedd
Leroy Stegink
Nancy Triezenberg
Dr. Sarah Visser
Mark Wright
Board Committees
executive committee
Rev. Rebecca Jordan Heys
Dr. Debbye Turner Bell
Caleb Doezema ‘94
Chris TerVeen
governance committee
Rev. Rebecca Jordan Heys chair
Tim Alles
Khary Bridgewater
Michelle Hiller
Jonathan Kok ‘93
Brian Krosschell ‘97
Kate Neckers
Dr. Khan Nedd
Lisa Rusticus
Dave VanWingerden
finance and operations committee
Mike Meeuwsen ‘94 chair
Eric Boender ‘88
Cindy Brunink
Caleb Doezema ‘94
Jeff Kladder
Tom Prince
Chris TerVeen
Mark Wright
Jason Zylstra ‘91
development committee
Khary Bridgewater chair
Afton DeVos ‘01
Hunter Greenfield ‘07
Jamie Kuiper
Dr. Sarah Visser
joint committees of the board Joint Committees are composed of members of the Board of Trustees, administrative team, and teaching faculty from each of our Grand Rapids Christian Schools’ five campuses.
Compensation Committee
Cultural Competence Committee
Education Committee
Professional Status Committee
GRCS Foundation Board of Directors
Cindy Brink ‘97 chair
Jordan Bush ‘98
Aaron Winkle
Philip Haan ‘96
Jamie Kuiper
Mike Meeuwsen ‘94
Dave VanWingerden
GRCS Eagle Partners Inc.
Formed to own and operate New 2 You as a supporting organization for Grand Rapids Christian Schools.
board of trustees
Ken Baker president
Ed Stuursma vice president
Betty Jo Bast secretary
Tom Nobel treasurer
Laura Corell
Ruth Damon
Dan Jonker
John Kwekel
Merle Peterson
Jim Rauwerda
Ruth Witte ‘74
GRCS Eagle Impact
Formed to oversee the operations of Eagles Ice Center and serve as the employer of designated support staff employees of Grand Rapids Christian Schools.
eagles ice center board of directors
Dave Tuit
president
Jim Stevens
Staff Leadership
Aaron Winkle
superintendent
Jim Primus ‘82
assistant superintendent of finance and operations
Nick DeKoster
assistant superintendent of advancement and instruction
