Mike and Rose Rodriguez’ daughter, Lydia, attended Holland Christian from 7th grade and graduated in 2024. Both Mike and Rose have lived in West Michigan much of their lives, and have worked at a variety of local organizations, including Hope College, the City of Grand Haven, and Holland Charter Township. They were kind enough to describe their experiences at HC for us, along with why they chose to send Lydia to HC:
Holland Christian has a reputation for excellent education with a Christ-centered focus. This was the core reason we chose to send our daughter to HC. While Mike was born and raised in Chicago, I spent my formative years in Holland. We met at our local church and were married in 1998. A few years later, we moved to Grand Haven, where we lived for ten years. While there, God blessed us with our daughter, Lydia. We felt God’s leading to move back to Holland and began to pray about where to send Lydia to school. She was then entering middle school and we knew it would be a pivotal time in her life. We were familiar with the many school options the city of Holland offers, but HC simply was the best choice in the community that fit both our family’s academic goals and faith values.
There have been numerous teachers and staff members who truly cared for and invested in our daughter. They have been there to lend a listening ear or provide assistance when needed. There have been many who “notice” our family, and that makes the difference!
We are very active in our church, Holland First, which is part of the Assemblies of God denomination. While our faith experience may be different from others at HC, it gives us the opportunity for our daughter to learn other expressions of worship and beliefs in God, and that we are all part of the body of Christ. In this way, she grows in her faith and others can learn from her as well.
Additionally, as a multicultural family, we have found that sharing our experiences and traditions has offered a fresh perspective to others. We, in turn, have been able to glean from other’s stories and experiences as well.
“Nurture” is a word we would use to describe our experience at Holland Christian. This word is found in HC’s mission statement and is one that we value. The HC community is one that partners with the family and the local church to nurture Christ-like character and academic excellence.
As a long-standing community member, I’ve (Rose) observed the HC community from afar most of my life. Holland Christian Schools has made great strides to become more open to diverse populations and faith expressions. We are also thankful for the “legacy families” that paved the way for others like ourselves to receive Christ-centered education with a solid Biblical worldview.
If anyone out there is interested in sending their children to Holland Christian Schools, we would encourage them to not let financial costs deter them from pursuing an education for their child at HC! We know that God opened doors for us, and if this is the path your child should be on, then He will provide a way!
