Holland Christian Schools is a Christian school system established in 1901 serving nearly 2,000 students from preschool through 12th grade across 5 campuses. It has implemented a 1-to-1 laptop program where every student from 5th through 12th grade is provided a laptop and every student from K-4th grade is provided an iPad. The school has been named an Apple Distinguished School three times in the past four years for its innovative use of technology to transform teaching and learning. It is continually looking for ways to expand opportunities for blended learning and flexible learning spaces that match modern pedagogical methods.

1. Equipping minds and nurturing hearts
to transform the world for Jesus Christ
HOLLAND CHRISTIAN
SCHOOLS

2. •Established 1901: 9,000 Alumni in greater Holland/Zeeland
area
•5 Sites: 2 Preschools, 3 Elementary, 1 Middle School, 1 High
School
•Retention Rate: 96% after attending HC for 3 years
•Parent controlled: Not private or parochial
•Tuition: 80% of revenue
•Average Tuition: $6,200
•1 of 3 students on scholarship - $1M raised annually
•Staff:
• Bachelor’s Degree 50% Master’s Degree 46%
PhD/EdD/Specialist 4%
Who are we?

3. Students
•Nearly 2000 students preschool-12th
grade
•Graduation rate: Over 99%
•From a 20 mile radius:
South to South Haven, East to Allegan, North to Grand Haven
•From 125 churches
•Free/reduced lunch: 10%
•Served through Educational Support Services Program: 6-12%
•Minority: 10%
Who are we?

4. Equipping minds and nurturing hearts to
transform the world
for Jesus Christ
Mission Driven

5. “Requires constant review of educational practices, delivery
methods, assessments, student engagement – students are
participants in their learning not just recipients.”
Single greatest impact on teach and learning
in 40 years of education
Learning

6. Accessibility
Staff Development and Training
Learning Spaces Match Learning Methods
Challenges

7. 2005: 6th
Grade Pilot Program
2008/09: 6th
-12th
Grade fully implemented
• Named Apple Distinguished School,
3 times in the past 4 years
1 of 51 nationwide
Only one in Michigan
Accessibility
1:1 Laptop Project

8. • 24/7 during the school year
• School Provided:
• Servers
• Filters
• Backup
• Parental Control options
• Annual and self-insurance fees - 3 year
cycle
• Start up costs: $800,000
• Self-sustaining
Accessibility
1:1 Laptop Project

9. 2011/12:
•5th
Grade: 1 to 1 Laptops at schools
•K-4th Grade: Pilot program with iPads
•Launch of iFit Team
2012/13:
•K-4th Grade: 1 to 1 iPads at schools
Accessibility
1:1 Laptop Project

10. What Is Next?:
Keep responding to a constantly moving environment
Enlarge opportunities for students and teacher through
technology
Advance a more blended learning environment for all students
Accessibility
1:1 Laptop Project

11. Spaces match learning
Balance Tech and Community
Do not discount the power of change
“New Look – New Learning”
Flexible collaborative environment
“Commons and Caves”
Learning

12. Key Considerations:
First be able to answer the question: WHY?
This initiative must be about mission and people not
devices
Technology is an educational tool not an outcome
Learning

13. Professional Development for Staff
How do you “move” your teachers from “Here to There”
How did we get started?
What have we learned?
Learning