Dear HCHS Families,
I was chatting with some of our 9th graders during lunch yesterday and they were asking me how many weeks are in a school year and I told them 36. Then they figured out we are half way through the 1st semester or a ¼ of the way through the school year. Time moves so quickly!
As we move into the month of November, we continue to focus on our Discipleship Practices to shape who we are as a school community. This month, we are highlighting the discipleship practice of Kingdom Building , recognizing that God calls each of us to be part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Kingdom Building is about putting our faith into action by looking beyond our own needs, serving others with humility, building meaningful relationships, and using the gifts God has given us to make a difference. Whether we are in the classroom, on the athletic field, on the stage, or in our community, we have opportunities every day to reflect Christ’s love through our words and actions which doesn’t always require grand gestures. Often, it begins with the small, everyday choices to encourage someone, include others, stand up for what is right, or lend a helping hand. Our students are amazing and we have the privilege of seeing these small, everyday choices lived out daily in the HCHS community. We know that sometimes students feel like doing the right thing goes unnoticed but that is not the case. They are noticed and we are working at being more intentional about acknowledging the great things that are happening on a daily basis.
Thank you for partnering with us as we encourage our students to live out their faith and be Kingdom Builders wherever God places them!
Deb Feenstra, Principal
“His Love Endures Forever”
Psalm 136
General Information
Veterans Day Assembly
You are invited to join us for our Veterans Day Assembly on Tuesday, November 11. Our program will begin at 9:30am in the high school gym.
Dutch Dance
Come learn about High School Dutch Dance and how you can be part of this Tulip Time tradition! Join us Monday, November 9, at 6:30 PM in the Media Center. New and returning dancers welcome!
Counselors Corner
Decisions for Seniors
We have met with each senior individually to make sure they are on track with their post-high school planning and all that comes with it. Our encouragement to college bound seniors is to get their applications done soon in order to have the best opportunities for financial aid and scholarships. We also assist non-college bound seniors with career exploration, vocational opportunities, and job search skills.
Many colleges are SAT/ACT test-optional for acceptance, so testing may not be a requirement for acceptance. Some colleges are test-optional regarding scholarships as well. Students should check with individual colleges to determine if an ACT or SAT score is needed for merit-based scholarships. If scores are needed, the student should request them through their CollegeBoard or ACT student account.
When in doubt, it is best to connect with the admissions and/or financial aid office of the college(s) you are considering to get the most accurate information on admissions policies, scholarships, financial aid, and specific programs/opportunities.
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. 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.
Scholarships
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 open Dec 1 and include several scholarships that are open to Holland Christian students. Beginning in early February, there will be information about internal HC scholarships, which are for full-time Holland Christian students only. It is very important for students to keep an eye on their email and the HC announcements as scholarship information is shared in both spaces.
Helpful Resources 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.
Testing Information
- Upcoming SAT test dates are November 7 & December 5. HCHS is a testing site for these dates. To register for the SAT.
- Upcoming ACT dates and test sites can be found on ACT website. Holland Christian is not a testing site for the ACT this year.
- Test Preparation: There are free resources for SAT test preparation. There are also free resources available for ACT test preparation.
- PSAT: This test is a precursor to the SAT. It provides excellent practice for subsequent standardized tests and can provide valuable test preparation feedback and tools. The junior year is the only year a score is considered for the National Merit Scholarship consideration.
AP exam registration and payment is open on Oct 5 at 8:00am. Follow the two-step process below, be sure to complete both steps to register to take an AP test:
Step 1: Register and pay for the test through Total Registration.
Step 2: Join “AP Classroom” using the Join Code(s) shared at the end of registration. This indicates to the College Board your interest in taking the AP test. (Many students have already done this with their teacher in class.)
Complete both steps by Friday, Nov 6, 2026 at 11:59pm and the cost of each exam is $105, which can be paid online or by check. After Nov 6, there is an additional $45 late fee for each exam. March 5, 2027 is the last day to order exams. If you have questions contact Alison Silva, asilva@hollandchristian.org, in the HCHS office.
Meeting with Juniors/Parents
We will meet with the juniors on November 4 to talk about planning and preparing for senior year and life after high school. We will also be offering the opportunity for parents to join their student and his/her counselor for a junior + parents check-in meeting. Some of the information covered in the junior meeting will be taking the ACT/SAT, preparing for senior year, and discussing plans for life after high school. Since this is an important and transitional time in your student’s life, we want parents to have the option to sit in on this meeting. If a junior + parents meeting doesn’t work for you, we will still meet individually with each junior. Watch your email in the coming weeks for more information about these meetings.
College Athletics
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- If you are considering attending a NCAA Division I or II school, and you hope to compete in athletics, the NCAA Eligiblity 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.
Fine Arts
Festival of Fine Arts
Celebrate Holland Christian High School’s Festival of Fine Arts! From student drawings and paintings to movie music, choral anthems, and the deep sounds of the tuba, prepare to enjoy a rich diversity of the arts:
- HS Bands & Orchestra Concert: Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30pm in the HS Auditorium
- Swingin’ the Night Away: Friday, November 13, 6:45-9pm in the HCHS cafeteria
- The Fall Art Exhibition will be on the gallery wall (along the ramp) on Main Street through November 6.
Holland Christian High School Jazz Orchestra Featured at a Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra Guest Artist Concert
Join the Holland Christian High School Jazz Orchestra, the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, and other local high school jazz ensembles for a special evening of jazz featuring guest artist Altin Sencalar, trombone, on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the DeWitt Auditorium at Zeeland East High School. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear outstanding live jazz and experience the artistry of an acclaimed trombonist and performer. Tickets: $20 for adults; students in grades 6–12 admitted free.
Swingin’ The Night Away
The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present “Swingin’ the Night Away” in the HCHS cafeteria Friday, November 13, from 6:45 – 9pm. Admission is $5, to support the HCHS music program. Dance (or not), socialize, eat desserts, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and more!
Fall Musical: Frozen!
This fall we are proud to present Disney’s Frozen!
In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, October 19 on hcs.ludus.com.
PERFORMANCES: November 19, 20, and 21 @ 7pm, and an afternoon matinee at 2pm on November 21.
Athletic Department
Winter Sports Tryouts
- Boys Basketball: Nov 11
- Girls Basketball: Nov 18
- Competitive Cheer: Nov 9 (Co-op with West Ottawa)
- Boys Hockey: Oct 26 (Co-op with West Ottawa)
- Boys Aquatics: Nov 23
Scheduling/cancellations and game information can be found on the Athletics website.
Physicals
All athletes need an approved pre-participation physical form dated after 4/15/2026 uploaded to their Final Forms account and a completed registration on Final Forms. See the Athletics Registration page for complete details.
Important Dates
Holland Christian Schools 26-27 Calendar
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November
- 3: High School Bands & Orchestra Concert, 7:30pm
- 11: Veteran’s Day assembly, 9:30am
- 13: Swingin’ The Night Away, 6:45pm
- 19, 20, 21: Fall Musical, Frozen!
- 25, 26, 27: Thanksgiving vacation, No school
December – edit
- 11: High school Christmas concert, 6 & 7:45pm, Jack H.Miller Center for Musical Arts
- 11-12: 24 Hour Theatre
- 21: Christmas break begins
