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.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

At WSCS, students experience the joy and wonder of learning within a safe and nurturing classroom environment. We encourage students to embrace curiosity, try new things, and grow in confidence as they discover God

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Our staff invests in our students as children of God, models how to lead with care, and encourages them to use their God-given gifts in service to each other and the school community. Our students lead chapels, help with school wide service projects, harvest produce from the school garden, and participate in student organizations.

CHRIST-CENTERED

WSCS is founded on the Reformed perspective of Christian education. All aspects of teaching and learning are rooted in our belief that the Bible is the Word of God and that each child belongs to Him. We believe that God is sovereign over all creation, and we want our children to know Him, enjoy Him, and serve Him.

COMMUNITY

Meaningful relationships developed within a Christian context help students mature in their faith. At WSCS, we foster a spirit of belonging and intentionally care for one another. Families, staff, and our extended faith community unite around our shared purpose: to bring honor and glory to God.

STEWARDSHIP

God is sovereign over all creation. As His children, we have the privilege and responsibility to care for our world. Every square inch of our campus — our school garden, nature preserve, classrooms, hallways — belongs to Him. Our community’s commitment to sustaining Christian education here at WSCS also includes wisely investing our time, money, and talents

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

At WSCS, students experience the joy and wonder of learning within a safe and nurturing classroom environment. We encourage students to embrace curiosity, try new things, and grow in confidence as they discover God

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Our staff invests in our students as children of God, models how to lead with care, and encourages them to use their God-given gifts in service to each other and the school community. Our students lead chapels, help with school wide service projects, harvest produce from the school garden, and participate in student organizations.

CHRIST-CENTERED

WSCS is founded on the Reformed perspective of Christian education. All aspects of teaching and learning are rooted in our belief that the Bible is the Word of God and that each child belongs to Him. We believe that God is sovereign over all creation, and we want our children to know Him, enjoy Him, and serve Him.

COMMUNITY

Meaningful relationships developed within a Christian context help students mature in their faith. At WSCS, we foster a spirit of belonging and intentionally care for one another. Families, staff, and our extended faith community unite around our shared purpose: to bring honor and glory to God.

STEWARDSHIP

God is sovereign over all creation. As His children, we have the privilege and responsibility to care for our world. Every square inch of our campus — our school garden, nature preserve, classrooms, hallways — belongs to Him. Our community’s commitment to sustaining Christian education here at WSCS also includes wisely investing our time, money, and talents

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:

Looking for a Church Home?

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Our Church Families

In our student body, we have over 65 churches represented.