ABOUT
WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Christ-Centered | Academic Excellence | Community Servant | Leadership Stewardship
ABOUT
WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Christ-Centered | Academic Excellence | Community Servant | Leadership Stewardship
VISION:
Partnering with families to provide whole child Christian education that integrates God’s Word and creation into all areas of learning.
CORE VALUES:
Christ-Centered
Academic Excellence
Community
Servant Leadership
Stewardship
A WSCS GRADUATE
Pursues Jesus
Explores Ideas
Thinks Creatively
Serves Neighbors
Fosters Belonging
Cares for Creation
Communicates Effectively
West Side
Christian School
WSCS History
Beginning in the 1880s, saplings named Crosby, Rehoboth, Alpine, and Pine were planted with the conviction that a sturdy tree would grow from these humble beginnings. One and two room Christian schools were opened on Crosby Street and Alpine Avenue by Dutch settlers on the west side of Grand Rapids. These settlers desired that the schools their children attended endorse the faith values of both their homes and churches. “Train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6)” has been the guiding principle ever since.
From these humble beginnings, a vigorous tree has grown and flourished. For nearly 140 years, the tree has spread its branches and now embraces children of many ages, races, cultural backgrounds, and Christian faith communities.
OUR MISSION
Growing Students’ Minds.
Guiding Servant Hearts.
Glorifying Jesus Christ.
West Side
Christian School
VISION:
Partnering with families to provide whole child Christian education that integrates God’s Word and creation into all areas of learning.
CORE VALUES:
Christ-Centered
Academic Excellence
Community
Servant Leadership
Stewardship
A WSCS GRADUATE
Pursues Jesus
Explores Ideas
Thinks Creatively
Serves Neighbors
Fosters Belonging
Cares for Creation
Communicates Effectively
WSCS History
Beginning in the 1880s, saplings named Crosby, Rehoboth, Alpine, and Pine were planted with the conviction that a sturdy tree would grow from these humble beginnings. One and two room Christian schools were opened on Crosby Street and Alpine Avenue by Dutch settlers on the west side of Grand Rapids. These settlers desired that the schools their children attended endorse the faith values of both their homes and churches. “Train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6)” has been the guiding principle ever since.
From these humble beginnings, a vigorous tree has grown and flourished. For nearly 140 years, the tree has spread its branches and now embraces children of many ages, races, cultural backgrounds, and Christian faith communities.
OUR MISSION
Growing Students’ Minds.
Guiding Servant Hearts.
Glorifying Jesus Christ.
Community
Community is a big part of life at West Side Christian School, and that community includes both our parents and our alumni.
Parents are key partners in their children’s education. Nearly 100% at all levels attend parent-teacher conferences, and all parents are encouraged to become involved in their child’s learning experience. Without the strong interest of our parents, our impressive academic results wouldn’t be possible.
Our alumni are a big part of what make WSCS special. We’re proud to have a significant number of college graduates and leading citizens among our alumni, many living in cities around the world as well as within the Grand Rapids community.
Community is a big part of life at West Side Christian School, and that community includes both our parents and our alumni.
Parents are key partners in their children’s education. Nearly 100% at all levels attend parent-teacher conferences, and all parents are encouraged to become involved in their child’s learning experience. Without the strong interest of our parents, our impressive academic results wouldn’t be possible.
Our alumni are a big part of what make WSCS special. We’re proud to have a significant number of college graduates and leading citizens among our alumni, many living in cities around the world as well as within the Grand Rapids community.
The West Side Connection
Our School is surrounded by preserved woodlands, but also just a 5-minute drive from the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.
HOURS IN WORKSHOP & DEVOTIONS
HOURS OF OUTDOOR EDUCATION
%
COMMITTED CHRISTIAN STAFF
STUDENT TO TEACHING STAFF
%
FAMILIES RECEIVE TUITION ASSISTANCE
CHURCHES REPRESENTED IN THE WSCS STUDENT BODY
HOURS IN WORKSHOP & DEVOTIONS
STUDENT TO TEACHING STAFF
CHURCHES REPRESENTED IN THE WSCS STUDENT BODY
West Side Christian School Community Partners
- All Belong Center for Inclusive Education (formally the CLC Network) partners with WSCS for educational consulting, a limited number of psychological assessments, and professional development for teachers and educational support staff.
- Blandford Nature Center and West Side Christian School (WSCS) work closely together to provide authentic learning experiences on and off campus. Students are given an opportunity to explore God’s creation.
- Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) offers support for students who qualify for the following services: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Work, Title 1 Reading Interventions, Speech, and consulting support for English Language Learners (ELL).
- Grand Valley State University’s Groundswell Program (GVSU) collaborates with our teachers and students to engage in community-based learning and environmental stewardship to protect the Grand River and the Great Lakes.
- Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) provides professional development and instructional support for teachers, as well as braille and mobility instruction for students with visual challenges.
- Van Andel Institute (VAI) provides professional development and consultation for our teachers as we create Project Based Learning (PBL) opportunities.
Our Community Partners:
Blandford Nature Center
All Belong Center for Inclusion
GVSU Groundswell Program
Van Andel Institute
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Kent Intermediate School District
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Our Church Families
In our student body, we have over 65 churches represented.