HCS Stories

HCS … A Community Committed to the Good of our Students and the Glory of God!

Mrs. April VanderMeyden, Mr. Bryon Ritzema, Ms. Jodi Lineburg

Strong educational partnerships are the key to student flourishing in covenant Christian education.  Ideal partnerships are characterized by intentional collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to student success.  At Highland Christian School, parent-school partnerships go one step deeper, they are formed directly on the basis of God’s covenant with us. 

Proverbs 22:6 calls us to proactively guide children in God’s ways, biblical values, and lifelong faith. Deuteronomy 6:7 instructs parents to model morality and spiritual truths. Highland Christian School seeks to buttress this parental calling by instilling faith based values and habits through the educational process.  In its fullness, our educational process includes academic instruction, spiritual development, and character development.  It involves accountability with attendance requirements, behavior expectations, and academic benchmarks.  

In this partnership, two-way communication is essential, building trust and ensuring that all parties are aligned for the students’ academic and personal growth. HCS places such deep value on parental partnership and communication that we’ve defined our expectations and prioritized the dissemination of this information through newsletters, text alerts, and handbooks.  

Accountability via high behavior standards can feel personal when it’s new or unexpected. Understanding math facts and developing reading skills are important lessons, but developing character is an integral part of the educational experience. What may be considered minor or  “just joking” at a young age can easily become a destructive behavior over time. 

This is where discipline comes in and where advocacy and accountability meet.

Demerits and detentions serve as a warning system to identify, process, and correct behavior choices. While most people struggle with the word “discipline” or accountability, correction is a form of advocacy. We are reminded in Hebrews 12:5,6 that the Lord disciplines those he loves. Proverbs 3:11 calls believers to accept guidance as a testament of God’s  love for his people. These corrections often include parental communication and an opportunity for student growth through honesty and accountability. 

During the disciplinary process, students are guided through alternative choices and positive skills are modeled to help prevent negative behavior in the future. Proverbs 10:17 states, “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”

While we typically think of the teacher in the classroom, HCS is blessed to have a robust team which includes the Dean of Students, Behavioral Specialists, Social Worker, School Security Officer, and other Student Support professionals- ALL working together to see your child thrive! 

We greatly appreciate the feedback received from surveys, emails, listening sessions, and communication from parents. When there is partnership between church, home, and school, student outcomes improve and a positive school culture is created.