Best Private Educational Institution Grand Rapids Near Me

Maria Muhwanga: Christ centered education in a highly diverse setting, offering individual attention, mentoring, and tutoring if needed. The teachers and principal are approachable and accessible. The school is small, but it’s impact is HUGE. I feel at home when I walk in the door. It’s a privilege to be part of the GRAA family.

Altagracia Cruz: The best school I have ever been in!

G: Great school for education

Alex Griggs: eh

Dawn Sackett: Great school! My children are getting a Christ centered education with a focus on academics too!

William Van Dyk: Excellent and inovative school.

Deb Derks: The principal's email to me : "We try to do all things to the glory of God, but we may not get it right every time". Great, except when that is your mission to each child and you fall flat on your face and all you can say is, oh well.........

Austin Johnson: The staff here teaches students what to think rather than how to think. The administration is very forceful with their views and are not very open to other ideas or even the consideration of other ideas. Children are not taught to explore, rather they are told to just believe what they are taught.

Alex: Amazing school

Thomas van Liere: Hmm....

Eric VanderWall: A school with great families and awesome students! Friendly staff with hearts for Jesus launching students to future success!

Jason Negrete: What happened to freedom of speech? Why is the school so afraid of another opinion? Roman's 2:13

Lau Rol: This is a christian school only in name.

Rukundo Nmr: It's a wonderful app

Maria Cooper: Good

Edward (Eddie) Smith: a lot of nice people!!😁

JackStar: My favorite school I've ever been too. Very nice teachers and really easy to get along with the kids. The teachers really dedicate their time into helping you. The way they teach is just so much more different but in a good way compared to other schools. I like it how if I'm hungry, I can just snack on something out of my lunchbox but I of course have to pick up after myself. Been going here since 9th grade and love it!

Ashlie Johnson: It was fun. A lot of good people!

Zack Chatel: Very good school have been going here for 4 years great teachers and great students have made many lifelong friends highly recommended you check this school out it's worth every penny even if it's a bit pricey.

Doug Thompson: As a board member of Lake Michigan Academy (LMA) I have been very impressed with the staff and their ability to help families that are seeking to provide the best academic experience for their children with learning differences.

murphy klleen: Nice Nice place. Has nice schools.

Chip Staal: Our children have flourished as a result of their educational journey nurtured through the Christ-centered education at West Side Christian School. The academic environment fosters their growth in a place where they can be imaginative, curious, experiment, and part of a community. West Side Christian provides diverse learning experiences that help develop the whole child - physical development (playground time, gym time), music lessons, art, school garden, nature preserve (i.e., ladybugs, caterpillars, leaves, frogs, etc.), band or orchestra, and so much more. We praise God that He directed our steps to this school. It truly has been a best kept secret in the city of Grand Rapids!!

Paul Kehoe: West Side Christian School is an amazing school. It's also a wonderful community of parents and educators. Grand Rapids is lucky to have a school like West Side available to families that expect great things out of their children's school. Stop in some time and take a look around!

Sadie Robinson: This school is amazing! I can not emphasize how much WSCS has exceeded our expectations on so many levels. The commitment to genuine Christian education is second to none as evidenced by the loving and hardworking staff, high academic standards, supportive community, and willingness to work with families financially. The academic excellence at WSCS is, undoubtedly, preparing my children for both high school and collegiate success. Speaking from experience (having a child with Down Syndrome) EVERY student is valued for who they have been created by God to be and the gifts God has given them, regardless of any physical, emotional, and/or mental disability! I praise the Lord for WSCS!

Laura Helder: We are so very thankful to send our children to ISJ! From the loving and caring teachers to the incredible staff to the community and other families we have met - we cant say enough about this school! We recommend to everyone we know and are very grateful to be a part of the ISJ family!

momma jeans3: ISJ Academy was an amazing choice for our children and for our family! The education they received was stellar. The teachers, staff and families truly became our village through the joys and hardships of every stage of parenting over the years! Partnered with it's two supporting churches (Immanuel Lutheran and St James Lutheran churches) ISJ Academy is there to support your child and your family in body mind and spirit!

Lisa K: Our daughter started attending ISJ during preschool because it was close, fit our budget, and they offered full days which was necessary with us both working 8-5 hours. She has stayed into elementary school. We appreciate the small class size, that they take advantage of local parks for fun activities, and overall have a challenging and doable curriculum. She's very happy! Highly recommend this school!!

Rachel Sheldon: There are so many reasons to love this school. Academically, ISJ is second to none. My kids learned Greek and Latin roots, cursive, geography and how to properly write and cite a paper. All 3 of my children went through ISJ and it wasn’t until they went on to other schools that they started to really understand and appreciate the level of education they received. But beyond the academics, this school is like a family. I have made life long friends with many of the parents and we still stay in touch even though our children are no longer at the school. The teachers are passionate and care for your children like their own. This school is truly GR’s best kept secret.

Stephanie horka: We only intended to send our son here for preschool but fell in love with the school and stayed until 8th grade. It is a close knit community and communication on my sons progress was never in question. There was a time that I was concerned when he moved on to a larger school he may have a hard time adjusting. Instead I found that it had better prepared him. The individualized attention from smaller class settings gave him a chance to grow as an individual and handle teachers in a more mature fashion. It also gave him the opportunity for a more focused learning environment.

Justine Rasche: Our two kids started the preschool program this past Fall and it has been an absolutely wonderful experience! The teachers care so much about their students and you can really tell they love their jobs. My kids are excited to go to school in the morning and recently they don’t even want to leave when we go to pick them up because they have so much fun. We get daily updates about what they did in school and awesome pictures! We feel so fortunate to have found ISJ Academy!!

Dawn Dombrowski: Both my kids attended ISJ and we very much enjoyed our time there. After being there for 10 years it was very hard to say goodbye. I loved the small size, you really got a chance to know all the kids and their parents. There are so many opportunities to be involved as a parent, which I loved. They have wonderful, fun, caring teachers.If you are looking for a Christ centered education at a much more reasonable price than most private schools, you can't go wrong with ISJ!

Mari-Jo Goebel: ISJ is the hidden gem of Grand Rapids. Both of my kids attended ISJ from preschool-middle school. I can’t say enough praises about the quality education, loving atmosphere and genuine passion for learning. It truly feels like home and you will leave with forever friends.

Melissa Moens: I couldn’t have asked for a better school for my two girls! I checked out a few during the preschool years, but they were just too overwhelming and too busy. ISJ had a very small student to teacher ratio and truly loved on my children like they were their own. I am so grateful for the time my girls spent there because of the caring atmosphere, but especially because the love they taught them for Jesus! I highly recommend I SJ!

Mama Moore: Our family has sent three of our four children through ISJ Academy, starting with Preschool and continuing through eighth grade. I can say wholeheartedly that our kids have received a top-notch education while nurturing and solidifying their faith in a Savior who loves them unconditionally. We wanted our children to have a faith-based education from the start, and ISJ's low tuition made that a possibility - other Christian schools in our area were asking for twice as much in tuition costs. Our third child struggled with school, and her early teachers and support staff went above and beyond to make sure she didn't fall behind - their encouragement and persistence is the reason she's earning top grades today. ISJ has such strong community - this proved to be key during the COVID-19 pandemic. ISJ was able to continue teaching our kids remotely from the very start of the shut down, when most area schools were closed completely for weeks. Staff members are outstanding - I couldn't ask for better role models for my children. Class sizes are small enough that children who excel (or fall behind) are given attention and schoolwork equal to where their skill level is. All in all, an outstanding school.

Amy Ferris: Great community, loving staff. They truly care about the students and their families. My eldest has been going here for the last 5yrs and is in Gr. 2. She is doing phenomenal and loves her teacher. Our middle child is now in K, he has severe allergies and they have been amazing and implemented a no tree nuts policy in his classes. His teacher has over 25yrs of experience and is great. My youngest will start this year! Great class sizes, impeccable staff and school.

Kate Ruffini: ISJ Academy is a fantastic choice for Christian education in Grand Rapids. The class sizes are small and it feels like a family. As for the one star review below, that staff member does not work there anymore. We love ISJ!

Nicole Blain: I grew up going to public school and always imagined I'd send my kids to our local school as well. That changed when we found a family-like atmosphere at ISJ. As a parent, it's a relief to be able to send my kids to a place where I know they will be cared for well. Each year, I am amazed at how much our kids grow from the beginning to end of the year...academically, spiritually, and socially. Our kids love ISJ! They have built close knit friendships and get to learn about Jesus. I think something I appreciate is that it truly feels collaborative. Teachers have always been willing to adjust to meet our kids' needs and ask how they can help encourage our home life as a family. We are so grateful for ISJ and their staff!

Megan Cole: This is by far the worst preschool around as long as their "preschool director" is there. She would antagonize my 3 year old which led to our mutual removal from the program because he was a bit harder to handle... which blows my mind because we had NO problems while she was out for the summer and away in the fall due to maternity leave! We would start our mornings with a glare at the two of us as she grabbed his arm abruptly and pulled him into the classroom. She would send my crying child outside in the winter with no coat on, seen by other parents and children with no shoes or socks. She would refuse his lunch to him and only let him have the cheese and crackers from it saying the rest was snack foods(yogurt, apple sauce, fruit snacks. etc). Send me emails outside of the school portal telling me that we needed to get past our issues. She emailed me telling me he would not be able to attend class parties that were scheduled weeks out because he wouldn't stop crying for me. I also had times where I put my child in the classroom upon me pulling away I would see him out by the door with no teacher present, they were NOT watch him.To top it all off I spent over 60 dollars on the school photos which included a yearbook. They removed all of the photos that had my son in them and were not going to give me my yearbook until I asked for one. He attended the school from May-March and was portrayed as never being there at all!This school is pathetic, if you have a child who may need a little more shaping I definitely do not recommend their program to you with that preschool director!I had thought to contact CPS on her and her acts but instead I decided to remove him from the program although most of my peers/family suggested to keep him and report her!

Ryan Brown: I went to IHM starting in preschool all the way until 8th grade, and I cannot say enough how great my experience was. Not only did I get a good educational foundation, IHM placed a high priority on being good stewards of the Catholic faith that has stuck with me throughout my life. Not many other schools in Grand Rapids do as good of a job at that than IHM does. Go Vikings!

Anne Brown: Immaculate Heart of Mary had a profound affect on the formation of my three children as disciples of Christ. The motto "Disciples then Diplomas" is not just something the staff says, it is the driving force behind everything they do. We loved our experience in the IHM community.

Brandy Iacopelli: Both of our children attend IHM. They love it! Their teachers have all been excellent and really attentive to the kids.

Carey Neilson: Love the school and community. We have had a great experience with all three of our children.

Brett Huffman: Very happy with our experience having four kids at IHM. Strong Catholic foundation and teachers who care, plus a great community with engaged parents.

E C: We are so grateful for this school and community.

Jack Stapleton: I did not have a problem when I went to IHM. I would have occasional bad days here but overall this is a great school

Jack: Really terrible from what ive heard. Kinda wanna skate on the ramp thing at the top of it. Would like more information on cafeteria food

Megan Tietema: IHM is an excellent school, and Church. Same can be said for the high school Catholic Central. IHM has excellent facilities, teachers, and a parish and priest that pushes its students, and teen/adult members to realize their full potential - and to help them learn what God's plan is for them. Not only is it able to be a faith filled school underneath Jesus Christ to be sure, the academic achievement of its students is second to no one in this area - setting most up well to be equipped into the future and be positive contributors in the societies in which they live ... though HS, into college, into the workplace, in families, wherever. You can not go wrong choosing Immaculate Heart of Mary in Grand Rapids, MI. I have first hand knowledge, and my kids attend there too. Thank you for reading this.