Grand Rapids Christian Schools

Last updated

Grand Rapids Christian Schools is a Christian private school system in Kent County, Michigan, serving grades K-12. Most of its campuses are in Grand Rapids while one is in Rockford. Its administrative headquarters are in Grand Rapids. [1]

Contents

As of 2017 Tom DeJonge is the superintendent of the system. [2]

History

Circa 2004 the school had a debt of about $20 million, [3] and in 2009 the debt was down to $12.5 million; the school had incurred debt partly due to renovations of the Millbrook school and the construction of the Rockford school. That year Richard DeVos and Helen DeVos gave a donation of $10 million, [4] and the debt was reduced to $2.5 million. [3]

Members of the DeVos family have consistently donated to the school system: the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation gave the school system $2,390,000 in the years 1999 through 2014. [5] In 2013 members of the DeVos family donated a total of over $6.8 million to the school, including $3.2 million from Doug DeVos, $300,000 from Dick DeVos, and $20,400 from Dan DeVos. [6] DeJonge is a personal friend of the family, including U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who enrolled her children in this school system. In 2017 Erica L. Green of The New York Times wrote "Ms. [Betsy] DeVos is still involved in the school." [2] She added that Betsy DeVos and her husband Dick "are known to be very generous to Grand Rapids Christian High School". [7]

Circa 2013 the system faced an increase in enrollment. [8]

Operations

As of 2009 the school did not use money from tuition to cover debts. [4]

Demographics

As of 2017 racial groups other than non-Hispanic white make up about a quarter the school system's students. Betsy DeVos stated that the Grand Rapids Christian School student body had more ethnic diversity than that of the public schools in Ada Township, Michigan. About 30% of the student body is eligible for school food service at a lower price and/or at no price at all. DeJonge expressed pride that the school enrolls students reliant on public transportation and students on scholarships. [2]

The school system gives financial assistance to about 45% of the students. [2]

Curriculum

The curriculum includes Christianity-related topics and topics about other religions. Students study both the theory of evolution and Creationism. [2]

Culture

Green wrote in 2017 that "the school looked like a relaxed comprehensive public high school". [2]

Schools

All campuses are in Grand Rapids unless otherwise noted. [9]

One of the elementary buildings had a cost of $12.5 million. [4]

The system includes the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Arts and Worship, [2] within the high school facility. [13] It was a result of a donation by Richard DeVos circa 1998. Prior to the center's establishment, the high school students attended chapel at multiple churches because they could not fit in the same church building. [14]

Notable alumni

Multiple members of the DeVos family attended, [6] including:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockford, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Rockford is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,719 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Valley State University</span> Public university in Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, Michigan. It was established in 1960 as Grand Valley State College. Its main campus is situated on 1,322 acres (5.35 km2) approximately 12 miles (19 km) west of Grand Rapids. The university also features campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland and regional centers in Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin University</span> Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.

Calvin University, formerly Calvin College, is a private Christian university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1876, Calvin University is an educational institution of the Christian Reformed Church and stands in the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition. Known as Calvin College for most of its history, the school is named after John Calvin, the 16th century Protestant Reformer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethune–Cookman University</span> Private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.

Bethune–Cookman University is a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune–Cookman University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The primary administration building, White Hall, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Home are two historic locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davenport University</span> Private university in Michigan, US

Davenport University is a private university with campuses throughout Michigan and online. It was founded in 1866 by Conrad Swensburg and currently offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees; diplomas; and post-grad certification programs in business, technology, health professions, and graduate studies (MBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard DeVos</span> American businessman

Richard Marvin DeVos Sr. was an American billionaire businessman, co-founder of Amway with Jay Van Andel, and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team. In 2012, Forbes magazine listed him as the 60th wealthiest person in the United States, and the 205th richest in the world, with an estimated net worth of $5.1 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick DeVos</span> American businessman (born 1955)

Richard Marvin DeVos Jr. is an American businessman, author, and former politician. The son of Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, he served as CEO of the multi-level marketing company from 1993 to 2002. In 2006, DeVos ran for Governor of Michigan but lost to the then-incumbent Democrat Jennifer Granholm. In 2012, Forbes magazine listed his father as the No. 351 richest person in the world, with a net worth of approximately US$5.4 billion. DeVos is the husband of Betsy DeVos, the former United States Secretary of Education in the Trump administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betsy DeVos</span> American politician & philanthropist

Elisabeth Dee DeVos is an American politician, philanthropist, and former government official who served as the 11th United States secretary of education from 2017 to 2021. DeVos is known for her conservative political activism, and particularly her support for school choice, school voucher programs, and charter schools. She was Republican national committeewoman for Michigan from 1992 to 1997 and served as chair of the Michigan Republican Party from 1996 to 2000, and again from 2003 to 2005. She has advocated for the Detroit charter school system and she is a former member of the board of the Foundation for Excellence in Education. She has served as chair of the board of the Alliance for School Choice and the Acton Institute and headed the All Children Matter PAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interurban Transit Partnership</span> Public transit system in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

The Interurban Transit Partnership, branded as The Rapid, is the public transit operator serving Grand Rapids, Michigan and its suburbs. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 5,106,600, or about 23,000 per weekday.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools is a public school district serving Grand Rapids, Michigan.

City High Middle School is a public, magnet high school operated by the Grand Rapids Public Schools in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area.

The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation is an American conservative non-profit organization and grant-making body formed in 1970. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the organization was founded by Richard DeVos Sr., co-founder of the multi-level marketing company Amway and former finance chair of the Republican National Committee, and his wife Helen. As of 2014, the foundation had $54.9 million in assets. It is one of five non-profit organizations established and operated by the DeVos family; the others, all founded by siblings of Richard DeVos Jr., include the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation; the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation; Cheri DeVos’ CDV5 Foundation; and the Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation.

Holland Christian Schools is a private Calvinist school system located in Holland, Michigan. The Holland Christian Schools educate students ranging in age from Pre-K through 12th grade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Rapids Medical Mile</span> Medical corridor of Grand Rapids in Michigan, United States

Grand Rapids Medical Mile is a designated area within the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It began with medical-related development in the Hillside District of Grand Rapids, Michigan, bordering both sides of Michigan Street. More than a decade later it encompasses an area five times larger, expanding east further down Michigan St.and north across Interstate 196. It has also been referred to as Grand Rapids Medical Corridor, Michigan Street Medical Corridor, Health Hill, Medical Hill, and Pill Hill, among other names.

NorthPointe Christian Schools is a private Christian school located on the North East side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. NorthPointe Christian Schools is committed to 'equipping students to impact their world for Jesus Christ'. This commitment is accomplished through academics, spiritual life, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Rapids, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,893 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the central city of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, which has a population of 1,087,592 and a combined statistical area population of 1,383,918.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen DeVos Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Michigan, United States

The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital (HDCH) is a nationally ranked, freestanding, 241-bed, pediatric acute care children's hospital located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is affiliated with the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and is a member of the Spectrum health system, the only children's hospital in the system. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–18 throughout Grand Rapids region and features an ACS verified level I pediatric trauma center. Its regional pediatric intensive-care unit and neonatal intensive care units serve the region. It is named for Helen DeVos, wife of Amway founder Richard DeVos, a major donor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen DeVos</span> American philanthropist and political donor (1927–2017)

Helen June DeVos was an American philanthropist and political donor. She was the wife of Richard DeVos, co-founder of Amway beauty and home care products company and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team. She was the mother-in-law of U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos.

The Potter's House is a K-12 private Christian school in Michigan. The elementary and middle school campus is in Grand Rapids and the high school campus is in Wyoming. As of 2017 the superintendent is John Booy.

References

  1. ↑ "Home". Grand Rapids Christian Schools. Retrieved 2019-11-24. 2400 Plymouth Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Green, Erica L. (2017-06-10). "To Understand Betsy DeVos's Educational Views, View Her Education". The New York Times . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Nagengast, Kate (2009-03-17). "DeVos gift to Grand Rapids Christian Schools relieves debt, puts schools on 'very stable financial ground'". MLive . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  4. 1 2 3 Estep, Darin (2009-03-17). "Amway co-founder Richard DeVos and wife, Helen, pledge $10 million for Grand Rapids Christian Schools". M Live . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  5. ↑ Rizga, Kristina (January 2017). "Betsy DeVos Wants to Use America's Schools to Build "God's Kingdom"". Mother Jones . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  6. 1 2 Martinez, Shandra (January 2016). "Where Rich DeVos and his family donate millions". M Live . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  7. ↑ Green, Erica L. (2017-12-23). "The DeVos 'Nice List'". The New York Times . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Scott, Monica (2013-09-10). "Grand Rapids Christian Schools families receiving letter about proposal to relocate middle school". MLive . Booth Newspapers . Retrieved 2019-11-24. [...]"Shawnee offers us a variety of opportunities that the existing middle school does not and does it at less of a cost,"[...]
  9. ↑ "Schools". Grand Rapids Christian Schools. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  10. ↑ "Grand Rapids Christian Schools offers GRPS $800,000 to buy closed elementary". MLive . Booth Newspapers. 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  11. ↑ Scott, Monica (August 2017). "What happened to the closed school in your neighborhood?". MLive . Booth Newspapers . Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  12. ↑ "Grand Rapids Public Schools to sell two closed elementary schools". WZZM. 2014-02-12. Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  13. ↑ "Home". DeVos Center for Arts and Worship. Retrieved 2019-11-24. [...]located on the campus of Grand Rapids Christian High School.
  14. 1 2 Weakley, Teresa (2018-09-14). "GR Christian students honor DeVos in Arts & Worship Center". WOOD-TV . Retrieved 2019-11-24.
  15. ↑ "Remembering Helen DeVos". WWMT. 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2019-11-24.

Further reading


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.