by Sarah Becksfort ’07
I attended Holland Christian from kindergarten through 12th grade and loved my experience. I built many positive relationships and grew my faith in Christ, and knew I wanted the same for my children someday. As Ross and I dated, married, and started a family, it was a passion of mine that I shared with Ross. Ross became quite familiar with HC as the spouse of a teacher and became more and more interested for himself. Ross witnessed and experienced HC events and opportunities and also became invested in making this commitment of Christian education at HC for our family. As we have watched our oldest child advance through South Side Elementary, we have been affirmed time and time again that sending our children to Holland Christian is the right decision for our family.
It was easy for me to feel that I was part of the Holland Christian community since I attended HC and then started as a teacher in 2011 after graduating from Hope College. Ross often helped me set-up my classroom, attended events for staff and spouses, and got to know many of my colleagues. We also both enjoy volunteering in our kids’ classrooms and getting to know the families of our son’s and daughter’s classmates. We’ve enjoyed HC events outside of school and have valued getting to know many HC community members.
We have loved watching David and Emma’s knowledge of the Bible explode over their time at South Side. They are asking questions, making connections, and retelling stories that they hear at school. We’ve watched their hearts better understand the Bible stories and better relate to the same stories and truths we’ve tried to instill at our home and at church.
David and Emma have also grown socially-emotionally and in their academic knowledge. It is a gift to watch them be nurtured and cared for in a faith-based environment! 
A word that we would use to describe Holland Christian is “Intentionality”: We feel that every aspect of education at HC is done with intentionality. It is evident in faith-based instruction and action; in the positive relationships that are built with students, teachers, and family members; and in Holland Christian’s rigorous academic instruction.
If parents are interested in looking at Holland Christian for their own children, we both would say definitely take the leap! We have never once regretted our decision to invest in the education and faith formation of our children. We would encourage other families to check it out and do the same!
