Author: Alison Silva

Dear HCHS Community,

Welcome to September! I pray that you have had a delightful start to the school year rhythm as a family and have had ample opportunities to get plugged into the community as we start the year. The fall musical is underway, athletic competitions are ramping up, and classes are humming. At times, the sudden dive back into school can feel like jumping into Lake Michigan in early May, but I hope you all have been able to catch your stride as we get back to pursuing together our mission of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.

This summer I had the chance to read John Mark Comer’s newest book, Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become Like Him, Do as He Did, and it reminded me of the importance of being in the dust of the Rabbi, as RVL expresses to his students each year. Having grown up in a very liturgical church setting, I unfortunately developed a quiet aversion to church rhythms and rules as a child. I assumed that they were unnecessary and actually hindered my faith because they painted a legalistic, dogmatic picture of God, who was supposed to be slow to anger, gracious, merciful, and abounding in steadfast love (Ex. 34:6, Num. 14:18, Psalm 86:5, Psalm 86:15, Neh. 9:31, Joel 2:13, … you get it). There are definitely scenarios in which the emphasis on either grace or dogma fall to the extremes; however, in recent years, I have been convinced that Jesus embodied the best life ever lived and that he meant it when he said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). This means that we ought to pursue not only doing what he said, but also doing what he did—praying, fasting, giving, healing, forgiving, resting, eating, serving, providing, restoring.

Dr. Dallas Willard, late American philosopher and preeminent author on Christian spiritual formation, expressed in his book, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teaching on Discipleship, this important insight on this tension between dogmatic legalism and laissez-faire grace:

“We must stop using the fact that we cannot earn grace (whether for justification or for sanctification) as an excuse for not energetically seeking to receive grace. Having been found by God, we then become seekers of ever-fuller life in him. Grace is opposed to earning, but not to effort. The realities of Christian spiritual formation are that we will not be transformed “into his likeness” by more information, or by infusions, inspirations, or ministrations alone. Though all of these have an important place, they never suffice, and reliance upon them alone explains the now-common failure of committed Christians to rise much above a certain level of decency.”

As we step further into this school year, our hope is that we may participate together in the rearrangement of our lives, as described by Comer, around the “practices, rhythms, and truths that Jesus himself did.” And in doing so, may we pursue the life made full by being with Jesus, becoming like him, and doing as he did, being “transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (1 Cor. 3:18).

With thanks,

Miles

Announcements

Dress Code

Parents and students, we have spent a fair amount of time dealing with dress code issues in the first two weeks of school, especially with crop tops showing midriffs. Please take a moment as a family to read together the dress code policy listed below from our student handbook. Thank you for your cooperation.

In keeping with the mission of Holland Christian Schools, the Holland Christian School community recognizes the important impact of student dress on the learning environment. We understand that all of our lives, including our dress, bring honor or dishonor to our God. We also embrace our identity as a Christian school and how we dress impacts our witness for Christ to the world. While these principles impact our most basic commitments regarding dress there is more to which we would challenge the HC community.

• No hats, hoods, earbuds, AirPods, or sunglasses are allowed during school hours. Teacher discretion may be used in class based on class activity.
• Clothing or accessories depicting alcohol, tobacco, sexual or offensive language should not be worn at school.
• Clothing and accessories that can be considered political or divisive in nature are not allowed, instead, Holland Christian is committed to providing venues for safe and meaningful discussion.
• Shirts, shorts, and dresses must be modest and cover what they are supposed to cover. Cleavage, midriff or butt cheeks should not be visible.
• The administration reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class. Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code-appropriate clothing.

Parking Permits

All students who drive to school are required to display a parking permit on their vehicle. They are available at no charge in the high school office.

Security System at HCHS

Just a reminder that we have an intercom/buzz-in system at HCHS. All of the Holland Christian School campuses have such a system. Please note that after 8am (9am on Wednesdays) the front doors to the main high school entrance (Entrance A) are locked and you will need to press the intercom button located to the right of the doors to speak to one of the office personnel who will let you in. Parents may drop off items for their students in the office, and visitors who are going to be in the building must sign in the visitor log and wear a guest badge. Thanks for your cooperation with these important safety protocols.

High School Daily Announcements

Announcements are also posted daily on the website.

Student Handbook Updates

Parents and students, please take some time to read through the HCHS Student Handbook. Make sure you are familiar with the attendance policy and the personal technology policy.

Student Medical Information and Forms

If your student has any medical situation that the school office should be aware of or has any medication that needs to be kept in the office, the appropriate forms need to be filled out each school year and kept on file in the office. Please make sure all information is current so that we can help keep your child safe and keep the necessary medications here. All the forms can be found on the Medical Information and Forms page of our website. If you have any questions please email Hendrina Cupery, manager of the Holland Hospital School Nurse Program

Parent Night

We will be hosting our annual Parent Night on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 7pm at the high school. This will be an opportunity for you to meet the HCHS staff and learn more about our how we will live into our district mission of “Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ.” Please add this event to your calendar and make it a priority to attend.

Senior Picture Information

Here are some details on senior pictures. The deadline for senior pictures is Monday, September 23, 2024.

Counselors’ Corner

The 24-25 school year is off to a great start. We are committed to building relationships with our students and we look forward to meeting with each one over the course of this school year.

Information for Seniors

All seniors will have an individual check-in with their counselor in September or early October. Regardless of the desired outcome–career, college, or another option–we are here to help, support, and encourage seniors as they think about and plan for life after high school. Application timelines and due dates vary by school, so we encourage college-bound seniors to work toward completing and submitting applications by early November. This ensures maximum consideration for financial aid and scholarships, as well. We will assist non-college-bound seniors in the exploration of career options and help them find information on job and trade-specific training.

We will hold a “Planning for life after high school” session with all seniors on September 4 during Family Flex. In this session, we will cover a timeline of things seniors can be doing throughout the school year, including the college application process. Seniors will also be invited to sign up for a Common Application workshop session coming up later this month.

Scholarships

Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department portion of the website. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, will be updated as we receive notices of scholarship opportunities. This will include scholarships available through Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland that are open to Holland Christian students and also information about internal HC scholarships, which are available to full-time Holland Christian students only.

College Representative Visits

We keep a listing of college reps holding visits at HCHS linked here, that can also be found on the Counseling Department page. This list grows throughout the fall.

FAFSA Night

A college representative will be hosting a virtual workshop for HCHS parents on September 25th at 6pm to speak to parents about filling out the FAFSA and other financial aid opportunities. More details, including a link to the meeting, will be emailed out to parents of juniors and seniors.

Testing Information

• Upcoming ACT test dates are October 26 & December 14, 2024. Register for the ACT.
• Upcoming SAT test dates are October 5, November 2 & December 7. HCHS is a testing site for these three dates. To register for the SAT.
• Test Preparation: There are free resources for SAT test preparation. There are also free resources available for ACT test preparation.
• PSAT: This test is a precursor to the SAT. It provides excellent practice for subsequent standardized tests and can provide valuable test preparation feedback and tools. The junior year is the only year a score is considered for the National Merit Scholarship consideration.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered during the school day on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 starting at 7:45 am for those who have signed up.  Juniors who wish to take the PSAT/NMSQT need to register and pay the $25 fee by Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm. Registration and payment for this is done on Total Registration. All freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT during the school day on March 19, 2025. There will be no fee charged to students, and they will register through school.

Athletics

Pay to participate for high school athletes is $100/season. We prefer families to pay the fee through their Final Forms account for their child.  As an incentive to pay online, the fee is set to $96.15 so the total cost with fees is $100.

Important Dates

Full 24-25 Holland Christian Calendar

September

• 2: No school, Labor Day break
• 3: Parent Night at the HS 7pm
• 5: Picture make-up day
• 14: Homecoming Dance
• 23: Senior picture deadline
• 25: College Financial Aid Seminar 6pm

October

• 3: Parent/Teacher conferences 5:30-8:30pm
• 5: Tuition Grant Fund Auction & Dinner 6-9:30pm
• 10: Parent/Teacher conferences 3:30-6:30pm
• 11: Picture retakes at HS
• 23: No school: Staff development
• 24 & 25: CEA staff development (No school)
• 23, 24 & 25: All Tech Center students must attend Tech Center

Dear HCHS Family,

Thank you once again for such an incredible year of partnership in pursuing our mission to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus. From the teaching and learning that took place in each classroom to the hearty performances on the fields, stages, and courts, this community has truly displayed an array of great acts of worship with the gifts given them. This year’s theme has been faith like a child, and typically when we think of children performing great accomplishments, we think of them saying, “Look at me! Look at me!” Yet, this graduating class of seniors directed all of our attention toward offering thanksgiving and adoration to the Gift-giver, which is reflected even further by their class song selection,Gratitude.

Our students at Holland Christian Schools are gifted in so many ways. They start prayer groups and Bible studies together, several intentionally disciple classmates, many academically push themselves to their fullest potential, they compete with vigor, and they perform as unto the Lord and not for the world. Given how amazing these young people are, it was all the more moving to see them lift up their hands for our last chapel with seniors and sing these words:

So I throw up my hands and praise you again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a Hallelujah Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing Hallelujah Hallelujah

Working with your students is such a gift, and our high school team is so thankful for the opportunity to partner with you and your churches in raising up resilient followers of Jesus, who can transform the world through their apprenticeship to Jesus in every square inch of God’s vineyard.

We also express gratitude for the time and work of a few of our colleagues who will not be returning to the high school next year. With somber, grateful hearts, we say goodbye and thank you to Ms. Kristin Travers, Ms. Kristin Keen, Mr. Chris Kuipers, Ms. Ginger Suess, and Mr. Keith Blystra, who all will be pursuing ventures beyond HC, and Ms. Laura Serie, who will be transitioning to another HC campus next year. We cannot thank them enough for the love, time, and support that they have given to our students here at the high school. We are confident that God will bless them greatly as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers in serving these students and the community. May our Father continue to bless you and your families during this upcoming summer and may you have ample moments to pause and give thanks, for the Lord is good and his mercy endures forever.

With thanks,

Miles

General Information

Exam Schedule

• Students are not required to be at school unless they have an exam.
• You will not be allowed to take your exams until all detentions have been served, and you will not receive credit for your second semester courses until you take your exams.
• All books must be returned and fines paid in the Media Center before exams may be taken.
• All lunch accounts must be paid up before exams may be taken.

• Friday, May 31
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 1st hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 2nd hour
• Monday, June 3
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 3rd hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 4th Hour
• Tuesday,  June 4
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 5th hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 6th hour
• Wednesday,  June 5
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 7th hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – Makeup slot

How to get your 23-24 grades online after June 14

1. Log in to PowerSchool as either parent or student.
2. Click on the “Grades History” icon on the left.
3. Grades for the current school history will be listed.

The columns for 2nd semester are A2 (18 weeks of coursework), E2 (2nd semester exam),  and S2 (2nd semester final grade – this is the important one that appears on transcripts and determines cumulative GPA). If you receive a grade of “CR” in a course, it means you received credit, but it will not count in your GPA.

Diplomas and Transcripts for Class of 2024

Graduates, please remember to pick up diplomas in the high school office during the week of June 10 – 14.  Diplomas can be picked up any time between 8am and 3pm. Diplomas will not be mailed. If a final transcript needs to be sent to your college, please request it via your Parchment account, if you haven’t already done so. Beginning August 1, 2024, any requests you make on your Parchment account are no longer free.

Summer Office Hours (Tentative)

• June 6-7: Office closed for Professional Development
• June 10-28: 7:30am-3:30pm
• July 1-3: 8am – 1:00pm
• July 4-5: Office Closed
• July 8-August 2: 8am-1pm (closed on Fridays)
• August 5-16: 7:30am-3:30pm (Monday-Friday)

If you need immediate service when the high school office is closed please call the Administration Office at 616.820.2805.

Graduation Ceremony

Congratulations, HCHS Class of 2024! If you missed the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 you can watch the recording on Holland Christian’s Youtube Channel

Class of 2025 Senior Camp

Yes, that’s right. Class of 2025, it is time to sign up for senior camp. This year we’ll be heading to Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya in Shelby, MI on August 16-17. Please Register for Senior Camp. This is an incredible way to begin our senior year together. If you have any questions please email Mr. Russ or Email Mr. Koeman.

School Start Letter

Watch for your school start newsletter to be emailed at the beginning of August. To ensure that we have the correct email addresses, home contact information and emergency contact information for you, please verify and update your information in PowerSchool. If you do not have a PowerSchool account yet, please watch for emails in August with the information you need to either create an account or add a new child to your account.

ACT/SAT Testing Dates

The ACT is offered September 14, 2024, October 26, 2024, and December 9, 2024. Go to the ACT website to register.

The SAT is offered October 5, 2024, November 2, 2024 and December 7, 2024. HCHS is a testing site for these dates and you will be able to select this location when you register. Go to the SAT website to register.

Athletics Information

Summer Camps

The Athletics department offers summer camp opportunities for high school students as well as our younger athletes. Please see our Summer Camps page to find out what is available and to register.

Important Athletic Dates

• MHSAA Dead Week: July 1-7 no team activities or use of facilities
• MHSAA fall sports pre-season downtime: August 1-11 limited activities for fall teams
• High school fall sports begin: August 12
• Middle school fall sports: Football begins August 19, all other Middle School sports begin August 26

Physicals

Athletic physical forms must be turned in before tryouts. We are partnered with FinalForms for all our athletic registrations and forms. These can be found on ourAthletic Registration page

Important Dates

School Calendar

2023-24 & 2024-25 Calendars

August

• 16/17: Senior Camp
• 19: Freshman orientation from 8:00am – 11:30am  (lunch included)
• 19: New students (non-freshman) 9:00am – 12:15pm (lunch included)
• 19: Student check in/picture day (11:30am to 3:00pm)
• 20: All students report (full day)
• 28: All School Convocation
• 30: Labor Day weekend, no school

September

• 2: Labor Day weekend, no school
• 23: Senior picture deadline (More details on Senior pictures)

Dear HC Families,

Welcome to May, the last full month of the school year! Equipping minds and nurturing hearts and transforming the world for Jesus is running at full speed with concerts, spring theatrical performances, Tulip Time, athletics, end-of-year club gatherings, final projects and semester exams, and senior graduation! This time of year is such a joyous season of bringing things to completion and regathering for a time of renewal and celebration. We thank God for all of the growth that he has produced in our students as followers of Jesus.

Recently, one of my pastors gave a powerful sermon on the year of Jubilee, a time that God commanded to be practiced every 50 years (Leviticus 25). Within a lifetime, people would have experienced the year of Jubilee most likely once, and it was meant to provide alleviation for people who fell on hard times. One could imagine the need for such a law. A farmer could be forced to sell his land because of a string of bad annual crops. A merchant could be tricked into a bad deal and lend money to someone who runs off. A father could have a son who falls into prodigal living and hurts the family’s reputation and business. Situations like these could even result in the family needing to sell themselves as servants in order to survive. For these situations, the year of Jubilee would have been a source of great hope, for God proclaimed during this time “liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you shall return to your family property and to your own clan” (Lev. 25:10).

Sadly, we learned in our pastor’s message that it’s possible that the Israelites may not have ever practiced the year of Jubilee even though it would have been widely known given the educational requirements of Torah memorization at the time (Baker, 1998). Isaiah, however, does allude to this celebration in Isaiah 61 as the “year of the Lord’s favor,” so this shows that there would be a collective anticipation for this moment of redemption.

When Jesus arrives at his hometown, he read this Scripture to his family and childhood friends:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:19)

Shortly after completing this reading, he then stated, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” proclaiming something that they most likely did not want to hear. This proclamation would have meant the cancellation of the debts to servants and the surrendering of land that had been acquired. He was declaring the age of Jubilee, and sometimes people are not ready for God’s Kingdom to invade their own.

As followers of Jesus, we are Jubilee people. This is how Pastor Yonker puts it: when you see church members providing foot care for the homeless so that they can get back on their feet, that’s jubilee; when you see Christian organizations providing affordable housing for people while they try to restart their lives, you are seeing Jubilee; and when you see deacons walking alongside folks and praying with them and listening to them, you are seeing jubilee. Similarly, we see Jubilee in action in the hallways when a student tutors a struggling classmate after school, when a senior walks a lost freshman to her next class, when a teacher stays after class to listen to a student in distress, and when coaches walk along their athletes after a season ending injury.

As we come to the end of this school year, our prayer is that our students enter into the world as Jubilee people, followers of Jesus who are loving God and their neighbor without counting the cost. Whether they’re restoring a home, landscaping a yard, translating for a new community member, playing the violin at a nursing home, tutoring a child, or serving food to guests, they can be active participants in the hope of the resurrection and the era of Lord’s favor, transforming the world distinctively for Jesus.

Miles Colago
High School Principal

General Information

Tulip Time Week Schedule

• Monday, May 6 – Friday schedule
• Tuesday, May 7 – normal Tuesday
• Wednesday, May 8 – normal Wednesday
• Thursday, May 9 – Grandparents Day/ Half day for Tulip Time
  • 8-8:35 – 1st hour
  • 8:45-9:10 – Chapel-9th & 11th & Tour/Coffee 10th &12th
  • 9:20-9:45 – Tour/Coffee 9th & 11th & Chapel 10th & 12th
  • 9:50-10:25 – 2nd hour
  • 10:35-11:10 – 3rd hour
• Friday, May 10 – normal Friday

Grandparents & Grandfriends Day

Your student’s grandparents and grandfriends are invited to join us on May 9, 2024 from 8-11:10am. Grandparents & Grandfriends Day at the high school is a wonderful morning where they will join you in class, experience chapel and enjoy conversations over coffee and cookies. Thank you in advance for sharing these special people with us! Students will be dismissed at 11:10am on this half day for Tulip Time.

Fine Arts

Holland Christian Spring Band Concert

Join the Holland Christian High School Bands as they present their Spring Concert on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts. Enjoy concert band, symphonic band, jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, and a tribute to our seniors.

Holland Christian Spring Choral Concert

Join the Holland Christian High School Choirs as they present their Spring Choral Concert on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Enjoy a variety of music in song and a tribute to our seniors.

Holland Christian Spring All Orchestra Concert

You are invited to join the Holland Christian School Orchestras in the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7pm. See the wonderful progression from 4th to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian.

Spring Theater Production: Little Women

We’re delighted to welcome you to Little Women, based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott. Set in New England during the American Civil War, Little Women tells the coming-of-age story of the four March sisters: practical Meg, self-conscious Amy, timid Beth, and headstrong Jo, along with their male neighbor and partner-in-crime, Laurie. The play, which spans several years of their lives, follows the sisters as they grow up, fall in love, heal from tragedy, and struggle to find their place in a wide and changing world. This American drama is full of humor and heartbreak, as well as timeless themes of courage, empowerment, and family love.

Performances are on May 2, 3, and 4 at 7pm. We will also have streaming rights for each show if you would like to watch virtually. Tickets are available for purchase on the Theatre Page.

Athletic Department

Registration on Final Forms for the 24-25 school year begins on April 1, 2024. The athletic department requires a pre-participation physical dated after April 15, 2024, to participate in school sports for the 24-25 school year. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in tryouts until a current physical form is on file with the athletic department. If you have any questions please contact the HCHS athletic department.

• All families with 6th-12th grade potential athletes need to be registered with our online registration system Final Forms. For those already registered for the current year, you simply need to login, select the sports your child is interested in and update any changes to your and your child’s information. This is also the place where you print the updated 24-25  physical form to take with you to your DO/MD/NP/PA appointment and have that individual sign the form.
• For complete information about all athletic opportunities at Holland Christian, please take a look at the Athletic Opportunities page
• For information specifically about summer camps, go to the Summer Camps page.

Athletic Physicals

Although it is preferred for athletes to obtain a sports physical from their primary care physician, we realize this is not always possible due to insurance restrictions and the MHSAA requirement for a completed physical between April 15, 2024 and the start of a student’s sport for the 24-25 school year. Therefore, we offer athletic physicals for Holland Christian students each spring. At the request of the physicians and medical staff who donate their time, the Holland Hospital & Shoreline Orthopedic Sports Medicine Collaborative schools are collectively offering two evenings for all partner schools. You can register for a physical on the Maroons Athletics website.

• Monday, April 29, 6-8pm at Shoreline Orthopedic
• Thursday, May 9, 6-8pm at South Washington Clinic

Important Athletic Dates

• Final Forms registration opens for 24-25 school year: April 1, 2024
• MHSAA Dead Week: July 1-7 no team activities or use of facilities
• MHSAA fall sports pre-season downtime: August 1-11 limited activities for fall teams
• High school fall sports begin: August 12
• Middle school fall sports: Football begins August 19, all other Middle School sports begin August 26

Seniors and Parents of Seniors

Seniors End of the year schedule

• May 15: All Media Center materials and replacement fees for lost library books due. All textbook damage fees and replacement fees for missing text books due. If you need a textbook for an exam, let Mrs. Hekman or Mrs. Lokker know so that you are not charged for it.
• May 16-17: Any forgotten books may be returned to the wire rack in the Media Center
• May 16: Honors Evening, HS Auditorium, 7pm (by invitation only)
• May 17: Seniors’ last day of school
• May 22: Senior exams for students who are required to take them in the Lecture Hall
• May 21: Graduation rehearsal (required) 10am
• May 21: Graduation  Ceremony 7:30pm
• June 10-14: Diploma pick up

After Graduation Party

The “Senior All Night Party” follows graduation on May 21. The 2024 graduation party committee has emailed parents with this information.

Senior Exam Exemption

During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. To earn this exemption seniors must meet at least one of the following:

• Have a B average in the course for which there is an exam through the final day of that course;
• Have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent in that course for the whole semester (for any reason except “school activity.”)

Diploma pick up

Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School Office June 10-14. Diplomas can be picked up anytime between 8am-3pm. Before students can get their diploma all textbooks, library materials/books must be returned (or overdue fees paid) and your hot lunch and tuition balance taken care of. If your senior is the only child enrolled in your family at HC, or if you have not made previous arrangements with the business office, please contact Terry VanDerKolk at 616.820.2807. Final transcripts will also be sent after these arrangements are made. Your cooperation is appreciated!

Counselors’ Corner

Seniors/Parents of Seniors

Honors Night

On Thursday, May 16, we will hold an Honors Night for full-time seniors who have been awarded scholarships from colleges or private agencies. Parents are invited to this special evening, which will begin at 7pm in the High School Auditorium and will include refreshments. The due date for turning in scholarships has passed. Just a reminder that if you submitted scholarship information to the counseling office, please make sure to RSVP for Honors Night by May 3.

College Athletics

Students who are considering a Division I or II University and hope to compete on an athletic team must be registered with the NCAA eligibility center. You can access and complete the process on the NCAA Clearing House website. NCAA rules require that official test scores come directly from ACT or SAT. The NCAA code is 9999.

Students who are considering an NAIA member school must complete the NAIA application. View a complete listing of NAIA schools & an application. Students should request their transcripts be sent to NCAA Eligibility Center via their Parchment account. NAIA does not accept transcripts via Parchment, so contact the counseling office about submitting transcripts to the NAIA eligibility center. It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure their high school courses meet NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements.

Juniors/Parents of Juniors

ACT & SAT Registration

The registration deadline for the June 8, 2024 ACT is May 3, 2024. Registration is done on the ACT website.  SAT registration for the June 1, 2024 SAT is May 16, 2024. Registration is done on the SAT website.

Summer College Visits

Many students visit colleges in the summer, especially those that are a far distance from home. The counselors recommend that you look at online guides beforehand that can help you prepare for and schedule a productive college visit.

Student Life Update

Greetings from HCHS!  We’re writing to share some exciting news about a recent HS initiative aimed at providing intentional formational moments throughout a student’s high school experience.

A little context…we started Senior Camp several years ago as a set-aside time to challenge the incoming 12th graders to be leaders in the upcoming school year. This quickly became a “standing stone moment” for students–a marker on the timeline of their high school careers that commemorates something important God did in their lives.

Senior camp has transformed the culture of our senior classes, and of our school.

Recently we asked the question, Why don’t we have a “standing stone moment” like senior camp at every high school grade level?  After some praying and brainstorming, we decided this idea was worth pursuing. This fall we piloted the first ever Freshman Retreat, a one day experience at Camp Geneva aimed at acclimating 9th graders to high school as well as challenging them to think intentionally about their trajectory.

Truthfully, important formational moments like these are happening regularly in the “normal” days of students (pivotal conversations with teachers, reflections after a chapel speaker, shared experiences in theatre, sports, and clubs, etc.). But we also believe there is tremendous value in setting aside time as a community to consider who God is calling us to be at each unique level of spiritual development.

With this in mind, we’re committing to “Standing Stone” moments at each grade level moving forward to ensure that each student is seen, known, encouraged and challenged throughout their high school journey. Below is a short description of each experience as well as the grade-based theme:

• 9th Grade – Community 
  • 1 day Fall retreat at Geneva | What does it mean to be a high schooler living in community with one another? 
• 10th Grade – Identity
  • 1 day Fall retreat at Saugatuck Dunes State Park | What does it mean to be an apprentice to Jesus?
• 11th Grade – Mission/Calling
  • 2 day overnight retreat at Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya just before the beginning of Senior Year (Senior Camp) | What does it mean to lead like Jesus? 
• 12th Grade – Discipleship beyond High School
  • Optional Bible-lands trip after graduation | What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus in His world? 

We’re informing you about these experiences because we want to take seriously our commitment to partnering with you, HC parents.  You will receive much more detailed grade-specific information year-by-year, but right now we’re simply inviting you to pray for our teachers and leaders as they continue to develop and implement these “Standing Stone” events.

If you have questions please feel free to email Miles Colago, Kevin Koeman, or Bryant Russ, the High School Student Life Leadership Team.

Exam Schedule

• Friday, May 31
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 1st hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 2nd hour
• Monday, June 3
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 3rd hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 4th Hour
• Tuesday,  June 4
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 5th hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 6th hour
• Wednesday,  June 5
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 7th hour
  • 10:15am – 12:00pm – Makeup slot

Exam Notes:

• Students are not required to be at school unless they have an exam.
• You will not be allowed to take your exams until all detentions have been served, and you will not receive credit for your second semester courses until you take your exams.
• All books must be returned and fines paid in the Media Center before exams may be taken.
• All lunch accounts must be paid up before exams may be taken.

9th-11th Media Center and Textbook Returns

The deadline for returning materials to the Media Center for freshmen, sophomores and juniors is May 29.

• All Media Center materials and replacement fees for lost library books are due
• All textbook damage fees and replacement fees for missing textbooks are due
• Textbooks must be turned into the wire rack in Media Center.
• If you need a textbook for an exam, let Mrs. Hekman or Mrs Lokker know so that you are not charged for it.

Calendar

HCS 2023-24 School Calendar

May

• 2-4: Spring play: Little Women
• 9: Grandparents Day, special schedule, Tulip Time (half day, 11:10 dismissal)
• 13: Band Concert at Jack Miller Center 7:30pm
• 14: Orchestra Concert at Jack Miller Center 7pm
• 15: Spring Choral Concert, HS Auditorium
• 16: Senior Honors Evening 7pm
• 17: Last day for seniors
• 20: Senior exams
• 21: Commencement for Class of 2024
• 27: Memorial Day vacation
• 31: HCHS exams begin

June

• June 3-5: HCHS exams

Dear HCHS Families, Happy Easter!

This declaration was a phrase I heard often around this time last year from our High School Chaplain, Mr. Bryant Russ. It was a timely exclamation of this joyful season when followers of Jesus celebrate his victory over death and the hope that we have in the resurrection of the dead. Weeks later after Easter Sunday had passed, I was walking behind Mr. Russ without him knowing and heard him still greeting students with a loud, “Happy Easter!” In response, they gave him an endearing smile—they’re used to hearing him say interesting things—and continued on their way to class. What I learned later about Mr. Russ was that he celebrates the entire Eastertide season, which technically lasts for 50 days, representing the time from Jesus’ resurrection and Pentecost.

Oftentimes, after this annual season of contemplation and thanksgiving for Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection, it becomes easy to hustle back into the hurried rhythm of the spring school season. Seniors are getting ready to graduate, musicians are getting ready for spring concerts, thespians are preparing for the spring play, athletes are competing, and dancers are rehearsing for the Tulip Time parade. Likewise, I personally get caught up in the hurry of life and forget the importance of the time after Jesus rose from the dead when “he appeared to [his apostles] over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). During this time with Jesus, his disciples were not checking the tasks off of their to-do lists, nor were they in a hurry to be anywhere else. They centered their lives for that time on dwelling with Jesus for as long as they could, not knowing how long that time would last.

During this season of Eastertide, may we do likewise, setting time apart to be with Jesus and abide with him, as it was always meant to be. One of the most tragic but beautiful scenes in scripture is when Adam and Eve had already eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the author portrays the level of intimacy God had with them: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” (Genesis 3:8). God was walking with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and they knew each other well enough that Adam and Eve knew the “sound of the Lord God.” This was the way it was meant to be. We were made to walk with him; we were made to dwell with him in the Garden and be known by and know him well enough to recognize his voice. Praise God for his goodness and mercy as we get to bask in his presence through the power of the Holy Spirit today.

As we enter Holy Week and this season of Eastertide, I pray that you and your families may experience God’s presence in an overwhelmingly joyful way as we celebrate the invitation to enter the dance with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Once again, I leave you with the poem with which Dr. Dallas Willard ends his book, The Divine Conspiracy:

Now is the shining fabric of our day

Torn open, flung apart, rent wide by love.

Never again the tight, enclosing sky,

The blue bowl or the star-illuminated tent.

We are laid open to infinity,

For Easter love has burst His tomb and ours.

Now nothing shelters us from God’s desire—

Not flesh, not sky, not stars, not even sin.

Now glory waits so He can enter in.

Now does the dance begin.

With Thanks,

Miles Colago
HS Principal

General Information

Junior/Senior banquet: April 26

The Junior-Senior Banquet is Friday, April 26 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum from 7pm to 10pm. Dinner will be provided. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased online via the link provided until April 14 at 10pm.  The link to purchase the tickets will be emailed out to all seniors and juniors. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Koeman.

If you are bringing a NON-HC guest or an HC underclassmen as your guest, you need to turn in a Guest Form (available in the office) and have it approved before you purchase your tickets. You may purchase up to two tickets.

Important Reminders:

• Bring your ticket confirmation (printed or on your phone).
• Please dress appropriately. Remember we seek to honor our God as we celebrate.
• Because this is a school activity, all school rules apply. There is a zero tolerance for all tobacco, alcohol and marijuana products.
• Students will not be allowed to re-enter if they leave the facility.

Tulip Time Week Schedule

• Monday, May 6 – Friday schedule
• Tuesday, May 7 – normal Tuesday
• Wednesday, May 8 – normal Wednesday
• Thursday, May 9 – Grandparents Day/ Half Day for Tulip Time
  • 8-8:35 – 1st hour
  • 8:45-9:10 – Chapel-9th & 11th & Tour/Coffee 10th &12th
  • 9:20-9:45 – Tour/Coffee 9th & 11th & Chapel 10th & 12th
  • 9:50-10:25 – 2nd hour
  • 10:35-11:10 – 3rd hour
• Friday, May 10 – normal Friday

Attendance Reminders for All

Once at school students are required to check out in the office before leaving school. Students must obtain parent and office permission before leaving school at other than normal times. Students must sign in when coming into school after the school day has started.

After 8:10am students must use door A on the east side of the building, as we are a secure campus with all doors locked during the school day. Remember to check in the main office to come and/or go during the school day.

Holland Christian High School operates as a closed campus. Students are not allowed to leave the grounds, especially during their lunch period. Friday is an exception to this rule, as seniors are allowed to leave for lunch. Parents who want to take only their student(s) out for lunch must personally check them out in the office. Youth leaders or older siblings (out of high school) may also sign them out. Students who leave campus unexcused for lunch will receive an after-school detention.

Host an International Student in 24-25

Do you have a passion for other cultures? Do you have a gift of hospitality? If so, please prayerfully consider hosting an international student for the 24-25 school year. Please fill out an interest in hosting form. For more information and to turn in a completed form, please email Kyle Kempster or email Chanho Song our International Coordinators.

Fine Arts

Holland Christian Spring Band Concert

Join the Holland Christian High School Bands as they present their Spring Concert on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts. Enjoy concert band, symphonic band, jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, and a tribute to our seniors.

Holland Christian Spring Choral Concert

Join the Holland Christian High School Choirs as they present their Spring Choral Concert on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 7:30pm at the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Enjoy a variety of music in song and a tribute to our seniors.

Holland Christian Spring All Orchestra Concert

You are invited to join the Holland Christian School Orchestras in the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7pm. See the wonderful progression from 4th to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian.

Oratorio Concert

The Holland Christian High School Choirs and Orchestra invite you to their annual oratorio concert as they perform Franz Joseph Haydn’s Creation on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 7pm at Dimnent Chapel, Hope College. (277 College Ave, Holland, MI 49423).

Spring Theater Production: Little Women

We’re delighted to welcome you to Little Women, based on the beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott. Set in New England during the American Civil War, Little Women tells the coming-of-age story of the four March sisters: practical Meg, self-conscious Amy, timid Beth, and headstrong Jo, along with their male neighbor and partner-in-crime, Laurie. The play, which spans several years of their lives, follows the sisters as they grow up, fall in love, heal from tragedy, and struggle to find their place in a wide and changing world. This American drama is full of humor and heartbreak, as well as timeless themes of courage, empowerment, and family love.

Performances are on May 2, 3, and 4 at 7pm. We will also have streaming rights for each show if you would like to watch virtually. Tickets will be available soon on the Theatre Page.

Athletic Department

Registration on Final Forms for the 24-25 school year begins on April 1, 2024. The athletic department requires a pre-participation physical dated after April 15, 2024, to participate in school sports for the 24-25 school year. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in tryouts until a current physical form is on file with the athletic department. If you have any questions please contact the HCHS athletic department.

• All families with 6th-12th grade potential athletes need to be registered with our online registration system Final Forms. For those already registered for the current year, you simply need to login, select the sports your child is interested in and update any changes to your and your child’s information. This is also the place where you print the updated 24-25  physical form to take with you to your DO/MD/NP/PA appointment and have that individual sign the form.
• For complete information about all athletic opportunities at Holland Christian, please take a look at the Athletic Opportunities page
• For information specifically about summer camps, go to the Summer Camps page.

Athletic Physicals

Although it is preferred for athletes to obtain a sports physical from their primary care physician, we realize this is not always possible due to insurance restrictions and the MHSAA requirement for a completed physical between April 15, 2024 and the start of a student’s sport for the 2024-25 school year. Therefore, we offer athletic physicals for Holland Christian students each spring. At the request of the physicians and medical staff who donate their time, the Holland Hospital & Shoreline Orthopedic Sports Medicine Collaborative schools are collectively offering two evenings for all partner schools. Additional information, including registration for specific time slots and cost, will be coming out soon. For now, please save the following dates and times for student athletic physicals for the 2024-25 school year:

• Monday, April 29, 6-8pm at Shoreline Orthopedic
• Thursday, May 9, 6-8pm at South Washington Clinic

Important Athletic Dates

• Final Forms registration opens for 24-25 school year: April 1, 2024
• MHSAA Dead Week: July 1-7 no team activities or use of facilities
• MHSAA fall sports pre-season downtime: August 1-11 limited activities for fall teams
• High school fall sports begin: August 12
• Middle school fall sports: Football begins August 19, all other Middle School sports begin August 26

Counselors’ Corner

Testing Information

• Upcoming Saturday SAT dates are available in May. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the SAT website to register.
• Upcoming Saturday ACT test dates are available in April. You can search for other testing sites in our area when you go to the ACT website to register.
• Here is a Google Sheet of the upcoming ACT and SAT dates for the 23-24 school year, including the registration deadlines.

College Financial Aid

The FAFSA process continues to be riddled with delays and frustration this year. At this point, many college financial aid offices have communicated with prospective families regarding the delays. Most estimate that FAFSA related information should be available to families who filed by mid to late March.  The financial aid office of the college(s) you are considering is the best place to go if you have specific FAFSA or financial aid questions.

Seniors’ Honors Night

We would like to celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors by including a list of all merit scholarship recipients in the Honors Night and graduation programs. If your senior son/daughter is receiving a merit scholarship (not including need-based financial aid) from a college you know he/she will be attending, please provide Mrs. Silva, asilva@hollandchristian.org, in the high school office with written verification of the award. You may copy the letter or the email notifying you of the award. Please have all scholarships turned in by Friday, April 26, 2024. Once a student turns in scholarship(s), he/she will receive an invitation letter to Honors Night. Please reserve the evening of Thursday, May 16, 2024 for this event. It is a special night to acknowledge the hard work of our seniors, and we want to celebrate their accomplishments!

College Visits

We encourage juniors to begin exploring specific colleges. Students are allowed two school-related absences per semester for college visits provided certain criteria are met. School-related absence means the absence does not count toward the ten absences allowed. There is a form that the student must fill out, and it must be completed and signed by the college official and returned to the high school office in order for the absence to be cleared. college visit permission form is available in the high school office and the counseling office. We hope this helps encourage students to explore college/career options without worrying about accruing too many absences. Please note that parents do need to call in the absence ahead of time. Once the completed form is turned in to the office, the absence will get coded as a college visit and will not count against the student.

End-of-Year Information for Seniors

Reminder Senior Exam Exemption Policy

During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. To earn this exemption seniors must meet at least one of the following:

• Have a B average in the course for which there is an exam through the final day of that course;
• Have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent in that course for the whole semester (for any reason except “school activity.”)

End of the year schedule

• May 15: All textbooks returned and all library fines paid and materials returned. If you need any books for your exam return them to the office after your exam.
• May 16: Honors Evening, HS Auditorium, 7pm (by invitation only)
• May 20: Senior Exams for students who are required to take them
• May 21: Graduation Rehearsal (required) – 10am
• May 21: Graduation Ceremony – 7:30pm at Central Wesleyan Church
• June 10 – 14: Diploma pick up in the high school office

After Graduation Party

The “Senior All-Night Party” is May 21. The 2024 graduation party committee has emailed information to parents of seniors. Tickets to the event will cost $100.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School office June 10-14 anytime between 8am and 3pm.

Your tuition balance and all other financial obligations must be taken care of before you may receive your diploma. If your senior is the only child enrolled at HC, or if you have not made previous arrangements with the business office, please contact Terry VanDerKolk at 616.820.2807. Final transcripts will be sent after these arrangements are made. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Exam Schedule

• Friday, May 31
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 1st hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 2nd hour
• Monday, June 3
  
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 3rd hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 4th Hour
• Tuesday,  June 4
  
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 5th hour
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm – 6th hour
• Wednesday,  June 5
  
  • 8:45am – 10:15am – 7th hour
  • 10:15am – 12:00pm – Makeup slot

Calendar

2023-24 HCS School Calendar

April

• March 29 – April 7: Spring vacation (No School)
• 8: School resumes
• 20: Choir and Orchestra Oratorio at Dimnent Chapel, 7pm
• 26: Junior/Senior Banquet (Grand Rapids Museum)

May

• 2-4: Spring play: Little Women
• 9: Grandparents Day, special schedule, Tulip Time (half day, 11:10 dismissal)
• 13: Band Concert at Jack Miller Center (7:30)
• 14: Orchestra Concert at Jack Miller Center (7pm)
• 15: Spring Choral Concert, HS Auditorium
• 16: Senior Honors Evening (7pm)
• 17: Last Day for Seniors
• 20: Senior Exams
• 21: Commencement for Class of 2024
• 27: Memorial Day Vacation