• Students choose courses that align with their passions.
• Teachers instruct based on their own passions and have to opportunity to explore important topics that are not typically covered in standard semester classes.
• Smaller class sizes allow for closer student-teacher relationships, which are ideal for faith formation.
• We partner with the community to provide unique educational opportunities that are not typically available within a regular seven-period day.
• There is potential for a different learning experience that might reach a different type of learner.
• Travel provides unique opportunities for service and global education.
• Internships provide students with direction as they consider their future decisions.

Many private schools nationwide have a January term program. After reviewing different programs and meeting with representatives from Wheaton Academy, a high school with a successful 20-year winterim program, we have developed a program that we feel will benefit our students the most.  

Students are offered multiple Winterim opportunities based on their grade levels:

• 9th graders: on-campus courses
• 10th graders: on-campus courses and travel
• 11th and 12th graders: on-campus courses, travel, and internships

• There is a cost to travel, but financial assistance may be available.
• There is no cost associated with interning, although students are responsible for arranging their own transportation.
• The majority of courses are free, but there might be a few courses that require additional fees if supplies are extremely expensive or if a student receives a certification.

No, families may not create independent studies or family vacations. We believe that students will have the best opportunities through our established offerings.

Yes, four Winterim credits are required for graduation,

All students receive a grade of “credit” or “no credit.”

Winterim replaces one week from each semester and changes our school calendar. School starts earlier (the second or third week of August) and allows the first semester to be completed before Christmas vacation. Although one week from each semester is removed, this calendar is ideal for learning and avoids an awkward January end to the first semester.

Community partnerships are crucial for Winterim. If you are interested in teaching a Winterim course or hosting an intern, email Brian Karsten, Winterim Coordinator, at bkarsten@grcs.org. 

During the two-week program, students participate in two three-hour courses, which immerses them in an amplified learning experience. It allows for hands-on and community-based learning that may take place both inside and outside the classroom. The program also gives teachers the opportunity to dive deeper into a subject or explore a topic that are not covered during a semester course.
 

Smaller class sizes are a vital part of Winterim, allowing for closer collaboration between students and teachers and form deeper Christian relationships. Adjunct instructors will be hired to offer various courses and maintain small class sizes.

Guest instructors must submit a proposal to the Winterim Coordinator and Principal for approval. Upon approval, guest instructors will sign a statement of faith and have background checks before entering the classroom.

Course offerings change annually. Each fall, a Winterim Curriculum Guide is distributed to students.

Students sign up for classes online in late September/early October. Sign-ups take place by seniority.

Internships provides students with the opportunity to explore potential career choices, which can potentially  affect a student’s college decision and field of study.

Students have the freedom to choose their internship placement within the community. Approval from the student, host, parent/guardian, and school is required before the internship begins.

Making a connection with an internship host is the student's responsibility. If the student doesn’t feel that they have a viable connection in the community, Winterim staff will assist the student in finding a potential host.

A school representative (Winterim internship supervisor) visits the student during Winterim at their internship site. The intern host evaluates the intern on their ability to fulfill the agreed-upon expectations.

Grand Rapids Christian Winterim trips are an extension of Christian education. Students have a unique opportunity to learn and serve in the global community alongside GRCHS staff. Winterim travel opens students’ eyes to God’s amazing world.

No! Grand Rapids Christian Schools is committed to providing travel opportunities for all families interested in this learning experience. GRCS offers financial assistance to families who submit a financial aid application form and qualify for tuition assistance. The trips vary in price, destination, and purpose. 

Freshmen will have only spent four months on the high school campus and need this time to mature and to form community on campus.
 

Each winter sport coach has established a Winterim travel policy. Coaches have the right to change this policy each year, and it may vary by grade level. If you have any questions about a specific sport, please contact Jason Heerema, GRCHS Athletic Director, at jheerema@grcs.org.

Grand Rapids Christian High School will attempt to offer a wide variety of trips to many different parts of the world over a student’s three years of travel eligibility. Trips for the following year will be announced soon after the completion of each Winterim session.