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High School Newsletter

High School Newsletter – February 2026

Dear Holland Christian Families,

Welcome to February! With all of the snow days we experienced in January this year, it’s hard to believe that we’re already moving on to a new month. February can often feel like a Tuesday, a period of time that lacks the freshness of a new beginning and the excitement brought by the closing of a chapter. Yet, I have found that these seemingly ordinary weeks are a time when our habits are shaped and when faith can be practiced in small but meaningful ways. Often in the life of a school, this formation shows up in how we treat one another. As we focus this month on hospitality, we are reminded that faith takes root as we receive and extend grace, speak with both care and honesty, and build relationships that strengthen our community.

I have been thinking recently about Jesus’ words in Matthew 7, where he contrasts a house built on sand with one built on the rock. The difference is not in what the builders hear, but in what they do. Formation is never accidental. It grows through steady practices, faithful relationships, and a community committed to walking together in the way of Jesus. Hospitality is one of those practices. It is a lived expression of faith that asks us to make room for one another, even when it requires patience, humility, or perseverance.

This understanding is reflected in recent research from the Barna Group. In 2023, Barna reported that only 20 percent of self identified Christians in the United States meet their definition of a resilient disciple. A resilient disciple is someone deeply committed to Jesus, grounded in Scripture, engaged in Christian community, and motivated to live out their faith in the world. Among Christians in their twenties, that number dropped to just 10 percent. These findings are not shared to discourage us, but to clarify the importance of being intentional about how faith is formed in each generation.

Against that broader backdrop, we are encouraged by what we see within our own school community. Our recent Student Life and Discipleship Survey showed that most of our students attend church weekly (86%) and affirm the Bible as God’s Word (80%). More than half shared that they have a personal relationship with Jesus that shapes their daily decisions, and many named parents (93%), older disciples of Jesus (96%), and peers (96%) as significant influences in their discipleship to Jesus. These are signs of a community that is actively investing in one another.

At the same time, the survey reminds us that formation is ongoing. Many students described their faith as influential but not yet central (55%), and they testified to experiencing pressures such as loneliness (7.5%), stress (31.8%), and comparison (17%). In addition, 57% of our students shared that they spend at least two hours every day on their smartphones. These are not signs of failure, but they are honest reflections of growing up in today’s world. They also help explain why Christian education is not simply about adding Bible classes or chapel services, but about shaping rhythms and relationships that help students learn to receive grace and extend it to others.

This is why our mission to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ continues to matter so deeply. Our calling is not only to educate students academically, but to help form young people who know to whom they belong and how they can love their neighbors. Hospitality plays an essential role in that formation, teaching students to see others not as competitors, obstacles, or interruptions, but as fellow image-bearers of God worthy of care and attention.

As parents, educators, and church leaders, we share this sacred work. While grades and test scores are important, we invite you to continue asking deeper questions with us. Are our students learning to love what God loves? Are they growing in patience, humility, and courage? Are they becoming people who practice hospitality by offering grace, speaking honestly with kindness, and building relationships rooted in mutual care?

We are grateful for the trust you place in us and for the partnership we share in the academic and spiritual formation of your children. May this winter season, quiet though it may feel, be a time when God continues his faithful work among us as a community shaped by grace and welcome.

With Thanks,

Miles Colago

High School Principal

General Information

26-27 Class Signup

2026-27 HCHS class registration for 9th-11th grade is due February 13, at noon in PowerSchool – Class Registration. If you have questions check out the HC Registrar webpage or meet with your counselor.

PSAT & SAT for HCHS Students

On Wednesday, March 18 at 8:30am at HCHS, 9th graders will be taking the PSAT 8/9, 10th graders the PSAT 10, and 11th graders the SAT. The PSAT and SAT showcase the classroom skills and knowledge that are essential for college and career readiness. In addition, this benchmark data helps Holland Christian to continuously improve its strong approach towards academic excellence. Students will be dismissed when the testing is finished, approximately 11:30am (no cafeteria services that day). Seniors do not need to attend school on March 18. Tech Center is required for seniors, but juniors will be excused from Tech Center due to the testing.

Student Life and Discipleship

On January 26, we invited all students to participate in a Student Life and Discipleship survey. This survey serves as an important tool for helping us better understand students’  life experiences, spiritual needs, and areas where we can continue to grow as we follow Jesus together. We’re grateful to all of the students who took the time to share thoughtful and honest feedback.

In the coming months, we’ll be using this data to prayerfully evaluate our programs, pedagogy, and student life and discipleship opportunities. The insights we gain will help guide planning, shape future initiatives, and ensure we’re stewarding our time and resources in ways that best support students’ spiritual formation, community life, and overall well-being.

If you’d like to view the survey that was shared with students, you can access it here: Student Life and Discipleship Survey – January 2026.

Athletic Department

Registration through Final Forms for the 26-27 school year begins on April 1, 2026. The MHSAA requires a pre-participation physical dated on or after April 15, 2026, to participate in school sports for the 26-27 school year. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in tryouts until a current and cleared physical form (a picture or scan of it) has been uploaded to their Final Forms account. Summer and school year sport opportunities are also generally communicated to students who have already registered and selected particular sports, so please register for 26-27 sports in April! If you have any questions please contact the athletic department.

  • All families with 6th-12th grade potential athletes need to be registered with our online registration system Final Forms. For those already registered for the current year, you simply need to login, select the sports your child is interested in and update any changes to your and your child’s information. This is also the place where you print the updated 25-26  physical form to take with you to your DO/MD/NP/PA appointment and have that individual sign the form.
  • For Summer Camps information and registration, please go to our “Active Summer Camps Registration Page”

Important Dates

  • Final Forms registration opens for the 26-27 school year on April 1, 2026
  • Our 2026 sports physical nights will be on April 23 and May 6 with more information and registration links coming soon.
  • MHSAA Dead Week: June 29 – July 5 (no team activities or use of facilities)
  • MHSAA Fall Sports Pre-Season Downtime: August 1-9 (limited activities for fall teams)
  • High School Fall Sports begin: August 10
  • Middle School Fall Sports: August 17

Fine Arts Department

MIFA Home Benefit Show: Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty

All family, friends, and community members are invited to our MIFA Home Benefit show of Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty on Tuesday, February 17 from 6-7pm. The show is free, but donations to the Theater Department are very welcome. We would love to see all of you there! If you have any questions, please contact Jill Davis.

Living Hope Showcase 2026: Vintage Vibes: Groovy Songs of the ’70s

Join the Living Hope Singers in celebrating the iconic songs of the ’70s. From Disco to Rock, Folk to Funk, Showcase 2026 will take you back, and it’s sure to be a groovy time! Performances will be held Friday and Saturday, March 13 & 14 at 7pm in the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets will be available starting on February 9 at Living Hope page.

Holland Christian Band Extravaganza

Mark your calendars for the HCS 5th – 12th Band Extravaganza Concert on Tuesday, March 17 at 7pm at the West Ottawa High School Performing Arts Center (3685 Butternut Dr, Holland, MI 49424)

Swingin’ the Night Away

Don’t miss out on Swingin’ the Night Away on Friday, March 20 at 6:45pm-9pm in the HCHS cafeteria!

Counselors’ Corner

Seniors & Parents of Seniors

Just a reminder that if you have improved your ACT/SAT scores and would like your intended college/university to have these scores, you must have your updated scores sent directly from your ACT or SAT student account. Your HC transcript does not list or include test scores. If you did not put down the 4 digit codes for the college(s) you wish to receive your test scores when you registered for the SAT/ACT, you can log into your account and request that your new scores be sent. There is a fee to send additional scores.

Likewise, some schools require a mid-year transcript through the Common Application. If your school(s) don’t require this, but you would like to send your updated transcript at the end of semester one, please log in to your Parchment account and request a transcript.

If you have questions, please contact your counselor.

Scholarships

It is very important for seniors to regularly check their email and to read the daily announcements, as information about scholarship opportunities and deadlines is communicated via both.

Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, is updated as we receive notices of scholarship opportunities. The Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland scholarships that are open to Holland Christian students close on February 1, and more information will be available soon about internal HC scholarships, which are for full-time Holland Christian students only.

Careerline Tech Center

The Tech Center online application for the 2026-27 school year is open and available on the OAISD Website. Please remember that you must print out your completed application and bring it to the Student Services/Counseling office. Applications are due by February 13, 2026.

Testing Information

Financial Aid

All students seeking financial aid (institution based, state & federal funds) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online via the FAFSA Website. The FAFSA will be available for you to complete beginning in December. Be sure to check the financial aid link on each college website for specific information on their timelines. For helpful information on the FAFSA, check out this FAFSA Application guide.

The federal student aid estimator can provide you with an estimate of your Student Aid Index (SAI). This index is used by colleges to determine what types of student aid you may receive. Again, the financial aid office of the college(s) you are considering is a great place to start if you have specific FAFSA or financial aid questions.

Helpful Resource for Financing College

The MI Student Aid website has helpful information, links, and resources for students and families to use in navigating the college financial aid and scholarship landscape.

The Sallie Mae Paying for College Resource is a helpful destination to guide students and families make a plan to pay for college. The resource is free, easy to use, and includes great information on all the important paying-for-college topics.

College Athletics

If you are considering attending a NCAA Division I or II school, and you hope to compete in  athletics, the NCAA Eligibility Center is an important place to start. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to be familiar with eligibility requirements and course specifics.

If you are considering participating in athletics at the NAIA level, check out the NAIA eligibility center.

Important Dates

2025-26 School Calendar

February

  • 7: Parent-sponsored Winterfest Dance
  • 13: 26-27 school year course registration deadline
  • 13: No school
  • 16: No school, Presidents Day
  • 26: Parent-Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)

March

  • 5: Parent-Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
  • 13 & 14: Living Hope Showcase, 7pm
  • 17: Band Extravaganza Concert, 7pm
  • 20: Swingin’ the Night Away, 6:45-9pm

April

  • 3-12: No school, Spring break
  • 25: Junior/Senior Banquet
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