Dear GRCHS Families,
We pray your family is healthy and enjoying a season of rest and renewal. Though summer is still in full swing, we’re eagerly preparing to welcome students back this fall.
Each year our community centers on a spiritual theme. Our focus this year is “Come to the Table” or “Vengan a la mesa,” drawn from several passages throughout Scripture. As Chaplain Mark VanderWerf shares:
“Come to the Table” is an invitation to both receive and extend God’s hospitable embrace and welcome. All throughout Scripture, God demonstrates this hospitality by making room for others. God, quite literally, made room for humanity in creation. In the Exodus, God created a space for his people in the Promised Land. Throughout the gospels, Jesus frequently came to the table and ate with sinners and religious people alike. The culmination of Jesus’ ministry centers around the table and acts of hospitality, too. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus ate the Last Supper with his friends, and after resurrection he appeared to the disciples again, both at a table sharing a meal. The book of Revelation describes the new heavens and new earth as a table set for a banquet. From beginning to end, God’s story invites us to “Come to the Table” and enjoy the feast that is the kingdom of God.
Just as we have been welcomed at the table by God, we are invited to offer hospitality to others. As we explore this theme this year, may we find many ways to “Come to the Table” to experience the goodness of God and grow as a Christian community.
Our faculty and staff are committed to fostering a culture where each member of our Christian school community can thrive. In order to do this, the administration and student leaders created a set of guidelines for how we live together based on our district values of Christ, Community, and Commitment. We call these shared behaviors the Eagle Blueprint. As you prepare for the new year, we encourage you to review both the Eagle Blueprint and the parent-student handbook as a family. The dress code section may be especially helpful as you shop for back-to-school clothing.
We know the start of a new school year comes with countless details to manage. This webpage is designed to provide the important information your family needs for a smooth transition back. Your investment in your child’s Christian education matters deeply, and being familiar with these back-to-school details will help ensure a strong start to the year.
Please reference the 2026–27 GRCHS Family Calendar for important dates. We look forward to welcoming students at orientation from August 12–17, and seeing parents at Back-to-School Night on August 25.
We recognize questions may come up as we return to school, and we are here to help. We will be in regular communication throughout the fall, but do not hesitate to call the office at 616.574.5500 with any questions.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership as we prepare students to use their gifts for lives of service for Christ!
Sincerely,
Brad Mockabee Principal, Grand Rapids Christian High SchoolGRCHS Details
Back to School Information
Open each section below for the details families need most as the school year begins.
Orientation
GRADE-LEVEL ORIENTATION DAYS
Please save the date for the upcoming high school grade-level orientation. Students may come during the following time slots on your assigned day, and returning 10th–12th graders should plan on less than an hour for the orientation process. Note that any student who is unable to attend their assigned orientation day or the makeup day may complete the requirements during morning break or lunch break on Tuesday, August 18, the first day of school.
Seniors: Wednesday, August 12 – (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
Juniors: Thursday, August 13 – (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
Sophomores: Friday, August 14 – (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.)
Make-up Day (10th - 12th Grade): Monday, August 17 – (8:00–11:00 a.m.)
Freshman Launch and Transfer Student: Monday, August 17 – (See details below)
Orientation will include:
- Pick up class schedules (also available on StudentVue)
- Pick up requested parking permits
- Get your locker number and lock combination
- Computer pick-up and technology details
- Pick up textbooks
- Drop off money and forms for lunch account
Transfer student orientation will take place on Monday, August 17, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in the Student Life Office. 10th–12th graders who are new to GRCHS will meet with our Dean of Student Life, Eric Taylor, as well as other staff. Students can ask questions and receive helpful information for a smooth transition on the first day of school, August 18. All transfer students do NOT need to attend their grade-level orientation day in addition to this orientation.
Freshman Launch will be on Monday, August 17, from 2:00–5:30 p.m. Freshmen will tour our building, run through their schedules, receive books and computers, and get to know classmates and other high school students. The event ends in Eagle Stadium at 5:00 p.m. with a light meal for the freshmen and their parents/guardians. It is an important kickoff to our year together, and all freshmen are expected to attend.
Bell Times, Calendars, and Schedules
Bell Times
| GRCHS | Monday Late Start |
Tuesday | Wednesday Late Start |
Thursday | Friday Late Start + Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buses Arrive | 7:40 a.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 7:40 a.m. |
| First Bell | 8:30 a.m. | 7:50 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 7:50 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. |
| School Begins | 8:35 a.m. | 7:55 a.m. | 8:35 a.m. | 7:55 a.m. | 8:35 a.m. |
| School Dismisses | 2:50 p.m. | 2:50 p.m. | 2:50 p.m. | 2:50 p.m. | 2:50 p.m. |
Half Day Release Time: 11:45 a.m.
Calendars
Daily Schedule Notes
The GRCHS daily schedule allows for flexibility and reflects educational research on best practices for student learning. Please note the following details:
- Days where periods 1–4 meet are called A days, and days where periods 5–8 meet are called B days.
- Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will have a late start at 8:35 a.m.
- Monday and Wednesday mornings are set aside for teacher collaboration.
- On Fridays, teachers will have office hours for students from 7:55–8:30 a.m.
- The building is available for students to arrive early if late arrival is difficult.
- GRCHS will have one lunch daily, where students can eat together in the All City Gym and other designated areas.
- Chapel will meet each Tuesday in the Center for Arts and Worship.
- GRCHS will also have a short community time for praise and worship, school-wide celebration, or small groups.
Curriculum Guide
The Grand Rapids Christian High School Curriculum Guide helps families gain a solid understanding of the course offerings and policies at Grand Rapids Christian High School.
Laptops and Parent/Guardian Online Tools
Student Laptops
GRCS provides actively enrolled high school students for the 2026–2027 school year with the following:
- One 13” MacBook Air laptop with one Apple laptop power adapter and USB-C cable.
- One snap-on hard case during a student’s tenure at GRCHS. The case must be kept on at all times to protect the laptop from scratches and scuffs. Students should provide their own padded layer of protection.
- Coverage of minor repairs as well as minor wear and tear of the GRCS laptop.
- Laptop support during school hours at the GRCHS Help Desk.
Orientation Day
On their assigned orientation day in August, students must:
- Bring a padded backpack to ensure an added layer of protection for a laptop.
- Sign the Secondary Technology Agreement. Parents signed this during the enrollment process.
- Spend about 15 minutes setting up the laptop, logging into accounts, and viewing the required information.
Maintenance and Support
Students are expected to take care of their school-issued laptops. Staff and parents are asked to intervene if they witness behavior by students that reflects inappropriate use of technology or could lead to laptop damage.
Students are required to report any laptop incidents to the GRCHS Help Desk in a timely manner. Replacement parts must be purchased through GRCS due to warranty requirements to use Apple-certified products. Technology staff review incidents where accident, neglect, or abuse is the cause, and additional costs may be assessed.
Families are billed and payment is expected within 30 days if there is an additional cost. If payment is not received or if students have multiple incidents in a school year, access to the school device may be restricted. Students who incur more than two repairs in a year period will be responsible for the full repair or replacement cost.
Additional Costs May Include
- Loss or damaged power supply parts, depending on device model: power adapter block $19–$59; charging cables $19–$49.
- Replacement of broken or non-functioning parts, such as a broken screen: additional fee up to $200.
- Replacement costs due to loss, theft with police report required, or excessive damage such as a liquid spill: additional fee up to $500.
Parent/Guardian Tools
- ParentVUE: Available online or as an app, ParentVUE provides access to student schedules, assignments, grades, report cards, course history, attendance, and more. An activation code is required from the admissions office.
- ParentSquare App: GRCS uses ParentSquare to deliver urgent notifications, like school closings, via text, email, and app alerts. The app also includes a Quick Links section for instant access to school resources, such as the lunch menu.
- GRCS Parent Portal: This portal allows parents to set up an account using the email address/User ID on their ParentVUE account to access online directories, pay for hot lunch, and more.
Instructions for these portals and further technology information are available on the GRCS website.
Questions? Contact Sheila VanderWoude, Executive Director of Technology, by email or at 616.574.5810.
Parking, Drop-Off, and Pick-Up
Student Driver Parking Policies and Application
Driving to and parking at school is a privilege and not a right. Grand Rapids Christian High School expects students who receive this privilege to abide by GRCHS Parking Policies.
Vehicles driven to school and used by students and staff must be registered in the school office, and a 2026–2027 registration sticker must be properly affixed to the front passenger-side window.
Parents must agree to student driver regulations during the Annual Verification process, and students must submit an Application for Driving/Parking Permit before obtaining a sticker. If the application is complete, students may pick up their parking sticker at orientation. An application can also be submitted during the school year for new drivers.
Parent Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Parent drop-off and pick-up are located at the Plymouth turnaround. Please do not drop off or pick up your student in the back of the school, as that area is used exclusively for busing.
Student drivers with parking passes should park either in the stadium lot or in the lot next to Shawnee Park CRC. Students may enter through either the main office or the student entrance behind the school. When school starts, the student entrance locks, and everyone must enter through the office.
We ask that drivers follow the speed limits in the surrounding neighborhood as we seek to be good neighbors.
Extracurriculars and Athletics
Clubs are added throughout the school year. The best way to learn about new clubs is to check the high school morning announcements. For more information about these opportunities, contact Eric Taylor, Dean of Student Life.
Summer athletic opportunities can be found online, and families can also visit the Eagle Athletics website for more information.
Counselor Assignments and Support
Counselors at GRCHS support students academically, socially and emotionally, and in post-high school planning. As your family navigates a new school year, feel free to contact your counselor for support.
Information about making schedule changes for the fall semester will be sent out in August. Please see the Counseling Department website for contact information and answers to additional questions.
Back to School Night for Parents
Parents are invited to visit GRCHS for Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 25.
- 6:30 p.m.: Brief presentation in the DeVos Center for Arts and Worship
- 7:15–8:45 p.m.: Opportunity to walk through your student’s schedule, meet teachers, and hear about each course
School Picture Details
School Photos
School photos will be taken in the Student Life Office during the school day on August 20 and August 21. Retakes will take place on September 24.
- Students will be dismissed for photos during their responsibility period, skills class, tutoring period, or release period.
- Green screen technology lets students choose their background, but green clothes may disappear, so students should not wear green on photo day.
- Parents will receive ordering information from Jostens via the email address on record with GRCHS and will receive a link to pictures about a week after picture day.
- Photos will be viewable and orderable online, and pictures will ship to your home.
Volunteering at GRCHS
Volunteering at Grand Rapids Christian High School is rewarding for you, helpful for us, and meaningful for students. There are so many ways to get involved at GRCHS.
The Volunteering at Grand Rapids Christian High School guide details both whole-school and classroom opportunities for getting involved, along with guidelines and expectations for working with students.
Busing
Specific bus routes with pick-up and drop-off locations will be determined by Grand Rapids Christian Schools and/or Grand Rapids Public Schools and communicated through the GRCS Transportation Department.
Questions regarding busing should be directed to the GRCS Transportation Department at 616.574.5710 or transportation@grcs.org.
School Supplies
Most students come with pens, pencils, a calculator, three-ring binders, and notebook paper on the first day. Some students prefer one A-day binder and one B-day binder, while others prefer a binder for each class.
A laptop and most other class-specific supplies are provided by the high school.
Helpful Resources
Resources for Families
Contact GRCHS
Questions?
For school-specific questions, please contact the Grand Rapids Christian High School office.