Holland Christian School

Feb 25, 2010

Holland Christian School Systems Offer Free Preschool

holland christian school

The Holland Christian School incentive program is called “ABC—A Beginning Commitment.” It applies only to the first child from a household. In the ABC program, parents of Holland Christian preschoolers receive a credit equal to half of their child’s preschool tuition when they enroll that child in kindergarten at Holland Christian. The second half of the preschool tuition is credited when the child enrolls in first grade. Three West Michigan Christian school systems are working together to encourage parents of preschoolers to choose Christian education. The word on the playground is that preschool can now be free.

The Kalamazoo Christian, Grand Rapids Christian, and Holland Christian school systems, all with preschool-through-12th-grade programs, are offering families who enroll in the new incentive program and continue through the school system a credit of 50 to 100 percent of the cost of a year of preschool.

“We wanted to assist first families to get over the hurdle,” said Glenn Vos, superintendent at Holland Christian. Vos said that if the school can provide a link with a family for three years, “it is more likely we can retain them.”

The Grand Rapids Christian Schools’ incentive program is called “Preschool to Free School.” The program awards parents a $500 gift certificate when they enroll a GRCS preschooler in kindergarten at any of the GRCS member schools and another $500 certificate when they enroll in first grade. This program applies to all preschool students in a family. Superintendent Tom DeJonge is enthusiastic about the program since, as he says, “It’s tangible. It’s not limiting for anyone.”

The Kalamazoo Christian Schools’ incentive program is the “Kindergarten Voucher Plan.” Superintendent Larry Baker said a voucher for one-half of the cost of a year of preschool was sent to parents of 4-year-olds from one campus. Baker said the voucher is “as good as cash” and is excited to attract parents from their church-hosted preschool to connect with the Kalamazoo Christian system.

Wendy Molotky has enrolled her son Dominik in the ABC program at Holland Christian. Molotky and her husband were wavering between the Catholic school in the area and Holland Christian, and the ABC plan helped them make their decision. “I was thrilled! [Christian education] is expensive, and this is a great way to sign up,” said Molotky.

DeJonge said his staff and principals are excited about the incentive program and stressed that they know what is of utmost concern for families: “Affordability—we know Christian school is a sacrifice.”

Source : Holland Christian School