Dear HCHS Families,
Welcome to May and to the final full month of the school year. There is something about May that always feels a bit like standing in between seasons. The pace of spring activities accelerates quickly with concerts, AP exams, final projects, athletic tournaments, and graduation just around the corner, yet the beauty of West Michigan in May reminds us to slow down enough to notice what God is doing. Tulips begin to bloom, trees fill in with green, and the world around us seems to quietly testify that resurrection is not only something we celebrate, but something we are invited to live in.
As a school community, we are still in the season of Eastertide, the fifty days after Easter in which the church remembers and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. Eastertide reminds us that the resurrection is not simply a past event, but the present reality that shapes how we live today. The empty tomb means hope is not fragile, joy is not temporary, and death does not have the final word. Because Christ is risen, we are invited to live as resurrection people, a people rooted in his victory rather than our circumstances.
This year, our theme has been The Joy of the Lord, and I have found that Eastertide gives perhaps the clearest picture of what that joy truly means. Christian joy is not denial of difficulty, nor is it dependent on everything going well. It is the deep confidence that because Jesus is alive, we can trust that God is still making all things new. In John 20, after the resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples who are locked in fear and uncertainty. His first words are simple: “Peace be with you.” Their circumstances had not immediately changed, but the presence of the risen Jesus changed everything. Joy often begins not in perfect conditions, but in being in God’s presence.
Our Student Life and Discipleship Survey we implemented this past January helps remind us why this matters so deeply for our students. We are encouraged that 86% attend church weekly and nearly 80% affirm the Bible as the inspired Word of God that shapes how they live. We also see the strength of community in the fact that over 96% of students shared they have older disciples of Jesus and friends who support them in faith, and 93% shared that at least one parent talks about and practices faith at home. These are significant signs of God’s faithfulness and evidence that our students are being formed by strong partnerships between school, church, and home.
At the same time, the survey reminds us that joy and discipleship are still being worked out in real and often difficult ways. Only 57% of our students shared that they have a personal relationship with Jesus that guides their daily life. Nearly half of our students described faith as something that influences them at times rather than in every area of life, and many continue to navigate stress, anxiety, loneliness, and comparison. Over 30% reported feeling stressed or anxious often or very often, and many acknowledged the challenge of comparison in a digital world that constantly asks them to measure themselves against others. These realities are not surprising, but they are important reminders that joy must be cultivated, not assumed. This is where Easter hope becomes more than theology; it becomes formation. Resurrection joy teaches students that their identity is not found in performance, popularity, or achievement, but in belonging to Jesus. It reminds them that failure is not final, that grace is real, and that hope is stronger than fear. It teaches them that joy is not something they have to manufacture, but something they receive as they remain in the presence of God.
As we move through the final weeks of this school year, my prayer is that our students would finish not simply with endurance, but with resurrection joy. That whether they are walking across a graduation stage, studying for an exam, competing in a final game, or simply trying to make it through another ordinary Tuesday, they would know the peace of the risen Jesus and the joy that comes from walking with Him.
Thank you for your continued partnership in equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ. We are grateful to walk this journey with you and to trust together that the God who began a good work in our students will carry it on to completion.
With Thanks,
Miles Colago
High School Principal
General Information
Tulip Time Week Schedule
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- Monday, May 4 – Friday schedule
- Tuesday, May 5 – normal Tuesday
- Wednesday, May 6 – normal Wednesday
- Thursday, May 7 – Grandparents Day/ Half day for Tulip Time
- 8-8:35 – 1st hour
- 8:45-9:10 – Chapel-9th & 11th & tour/coffee 10th &12th
- 9:20-9:45 – Tour/coffee 9th & 11th & chapel 10th & 12th
- 9:50-10:25 – 2nd hour
- 10:35-11:10 – 3rd hour
- Friday, May 8 – normal Friday
Grandparents & Grandfriends Day
Your student’s grandparents and grandfriends are invited to join us on May 7 from 8-11:10am. Grandparents & Grandfriends Day at the high school is a wonderful morning where they will join you in class, experience chapel and enjoy conversations over coffee and cookies. Thank you in advance for sharing these special people with us! Students will be dismissed at 11:10am on this half day for Tulip Time.
Host an International Student in 26-27
Do you have a passion for other cultures? Do you have a gift of hospitality? If so, please prayerfully consider hosting an international student for the 26-267school year. Please fill out an interest in hosting form. For more information and to turn in a completed form, please email Kyle Kempster or email Chanho Song, our International Coordinators.
Fine Arts
Spring Theater Production, Wait Until Dark
HCHS choirs present their Spring Choir Concert on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:30pm at the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Enjoy a variety of music in song and a tribute to our seniors.
Holland Christian Spring All Orchestra Concert
You are invited to join the Holland Christian School Orchestras at the West Ottawa High School Performing Arts Center (3685 Butternut Dr, Holland, MI 49424) on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. See the wonderful progression from 4th to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian.
Holland Christian Spring Band Concert
Join the Holland Christian High School Bands as they present their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:30pm at the West Ottawa High School Performing Arts Center (3685 Butternut Dr, Holland, MI 49424). Enjoy concert band, symphonic band, jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, and a tribute to our seniors.
Athletic Department
Registration through Final Forms for the 26-27 school year began 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 now! 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
- Our second 2026 sports physical night will be on May 6
- 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 begin: August 17
Athlete Physicals
Holland Christian encourages every child to see their primary care physician for their well child visit, but also understands the annual MHSAA pre-participation sports physical requirement does not always align with insurance requirements. Holland Christian’s sports physical night offers a low cost visit that meets the MHSAA requirements, but it is not an alternative to an annual well child visit. Regardless of where the MHSAA physical is performed, it must be completed by a MD, DO, NP or PA who will check for significant medical concerns that could arise through participation in sports. The MHSAA physical form must be completed between April 15 and the first practice/try-out for a student to participate in any in-season sport.
Champs Coupon Books
Spring Champs Book Sale Alert! Save big with the Champs Coupon Book—now only $15.00! Each book is filled with valuable Lakeshore coupons along with regional and national discounts. Champs booklets are available for purchase through the school office or the HC trip office. All 2026 coupons are valid from the date of purchase through December 31, 2026. Don’t miss this great opportunity to save!
Seniors & Parents of Seniors
End-of-Year Information for Seniors
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Seniors End of the year schedule
- May 7: Scholarship Night, HS Auditorium, 7pm (by invitation only)
- May 8: All library fines paid and materials returned (Seniors only).
- May 13: Textbooks should be returned to the Media Center (seniors only). If you need any books for your exams just bring them to the media center after your exam.
- May 18: Senior exams for students who are required to take them
- May 19: Graduation rehearsal (required) 10am
- May 19: Graduation ceremony 7pm at Central Wesleyan Church
- June 8-12: Diploma pick up (in the high school office)
After Graduation Party
The “Senior All-Night Party” is May 19. The 2026 graduation party committee has emailed information to parents of seniors. Tickets to the event will cost $30.
Senior Exam Exemption
During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. To earn this exemption seniors must meet at least one of the following:
- Have a B average in the course for which there is an exam through the final day of that course;
- Have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent in that course for the whole semester (for any reason except “school activity.”)
Diploma pick up
Diplomas will be available for pick up from the High School office from June 8-12. They can be picked up anytime between 8am and 3pm by the student or by a family member. Your tuition balance and all other financial obligations must be taken care of before you may receive your diploma. If your senior is the only child enrolled at HC, or if you have not made previous arrangements with the business office, please contact Terry VanDerKolk at 616.820.2807. Final transcripts will be sent after these arrangements are made. Your cooperation is appreciated!
Counselors’ Corner
Seniors/Parents of Seniors
Scholarship Night
On Thursday, May 7, we will hold Scholarship Night for full-time seniors who have been awarded scholarships from colleges or private agencies. Parents are invited to this special evening, which will begin at 7pm in the High School Auditorium and will include refreshments. The due date for turning in scholarships is Tuesday, April 28. Just a reminder that if you submitted scholarship information to the counseling office, please make sure to RSVP for Scholarship Night by May 1.
College Athletics
Students who are considering a Division I or II University and hope to compete on an athletic team must be registered with the NCAA eligibility center. You can access and complete the process on the NCAA Eligibility Center Website. NCAA rules require that official test scores come directly from ACT or SAT. The NCAA code is 9999.
Students who are considering an NAIA member school must complete the NAIA application. View a complete listing of NAIA schools & an application.
Students should request their transcripts be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center via their Parchment account. NAIA does not accept transcripts via Parchment, so contact the counseling office about submitting transcripts to the NAIA eligibility center. It is the student’s responsibility to check requirements and make sure their high school courses meet NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements.
Juniors/Parents of Juniors
ACT & SAT Registration
The registration deadline for the June 13, 2026 ACT is May 8, 2026. Registration is done on the ACT website. SAT registration for the June 6, 2026 SAT is May 22, 2026. Registration is done on the SAT website.
Exam Schedule
- Friday, May 29
- 8:45am – 10:15am – 1st hour
- 10:30am – 12:00pm – 2nd hour
- Monday, June 1
- 8:45am – 10:15am – 3rd hour
- 10:30am – 12:00pm – 4th Hour
- Tuesday, June 2
- 8:45am – 10:15am – 5th hour
- 10:30am – 12:00pm – 6th hour
- Wednesday, June 3
- 8:45am – 10:15am – 7th hour
- 10:15am – 12:00pm – Makeup slot
Exam Notes:
- Students are not required to be at school unless they have an exam.
- You will not be allowed to take your exams until all detentions have been served, and you will not receive credit for your second semester courses until you take your exams.
- All books must be returned and fines paid in the Media Center before exams may be taken.
- All lunch accounts must be paid up before exams may be taken.
9th-11th Media Center and Textbook Returns
The deadline for returning materials to the Media Center for freshmen, sophomores and juniors is May 27.
- All Media Center materials and replacement fees for lost library books are due
- All textbook damage fees and replacement fees for missing textbooks are due
- Textbooks must be turned into the wire rack in Media Center.
- If you need a textbook for an exam, let Mrs. Hekman or Mrs Lokker know.
Calendar
May
- 1-2: Spring Show, Wait Until Dark
- 7: Grandparents Day, special schedule, Tulip Time (half day, 11:10 dismissal)
- 7: Senior Scholarship Night, 7pm
- 11: Spring Choir Concert, HS Auditorium, 7:30pm
- 13: Orchestra Concert at West Ottawa HS Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm
- 14: Band Concert at West Ottawa HS Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm
- 15: Last day for seniors
- 18: Senior exams
- 19: Commencement for Class of 2026
- 25: Memorial Day vacation
- 29: HCHS exams begin
June
- June 1-3: HCHS exams