Education

Quality Resources Build a World-Class Workforce

Staying competitive in the rapidly changing market requires a flexible and skilled labor force.  Holland area schools are active partners in preparing a world-class workforce to meet the needs of business. 

The course to a prosperous economic future for citizens, companies, and communities is set by the area’s K-12 program and its system of private and public colleges and universities.  The educational network enables students to learn close to home, those already in the workforce to update job skills, and for employers to collaborate in job training programs. 

Most area K-12 students attend schools administered by the Holland Public Schools, West Ottawa Public Schools, Zeeland School District, Saugatuck Public School District, and the Hamilton Community School District.  Several Montessori, parochial, and charter schools offer a diverse range of programming and the area is also home to an active network of parents and students involved in home schooling. 

The choices are many, from Holland Public Schools, which is rated Class A and offers students instruction in academics, athletics, arts, and foreign languages, to Eagle Crest Charter Academy, a K-8 program designed to incorporate character building and optimum parent involvement, to Black River Public School, a local charter school regularly ranked as one of the nation’s best in academics and preparing students for college. 

                                    

Holland Public Schools is pleased to introduce to opening of a New Tech High School, which opens on September 7, 2010, for its first year. To learn more, visit Holland New Tech Initiative. In addition, West Ottawa Public Schools may actually be the first school district in Michigan to offer International Baccalaureate program, an international honors program for grades K-12. You can visit West Ottawa's webpage here.

Area higher education institutions carry on the task of developing work-ready individuals once students have their high school diplomas in-hand.        

                               

In 2008, Hope College was named among the top 100 best liberal arts colleges in America by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Hope was mentioned as one of the colleges in the country that change lives.  Its outstanding pre-professional training program prepares graduates for further study at the world’s leading graduate and professional schools, or to enter directly into the skilled workforce.  The Department of Economics, Management and Accounting actively participates in off-campus programs in Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, DC, and London, internships with local business firms, and independent research projects.  They meet frequently with distinguished business executives and economists.  Affiliated with the Reformed Church of America, the college is just two blocks from downtown Holland and is the only private, four-year liberal arts college in the United States with national accreditation in art, dance, music, and theater.  It offers 83 majors leading to bachelor’s degrees in the arts, music, science, and nursing. 

                        

Hope is also nationally known for The Pull, a tradition dating back over 110+ years, which is recognized across the country as one of the top most unique college traditions in America.      

                           

Davenport University offers more than 100 degrees, diplomas, and certificates in three major areas of study:  business, technology, and health professions.  The university is also partnering with employers to update and refine the workforce through specialized training, which range from project management to customer service and virtually any other topic needed.  The customized courses, offered with employer convenience in mind, are designed to build positive and productive work relationships, increase efficiency and help employees meet and exceed expectations.·        

                                

Grand Valley State University’s Meijer Campus in Holland offers bachelor’s degrees in business administration, criminal justice, language arts/elementary education, nursing and sociology.  Master’s degrees, offered in business, education, and public administration, are sought after by working professionals.  Many of them are taking advantage of employer education programs, which either aid in or  pay the tuition as an investment in their workforce. 

Post secondary educational opportunities within the Holland-Muskegon-Grand Rapids triangle are also offered at Baker College, Cooley Law School, Muskegon Community College, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin College, Calvin Theological Seminary, Cornerstone College, ITT Technical Institute, The Van Andel Institute, and Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University. 

Western Theological Seminary, next to Hope College, is also affiliated with the Reformed Church of America.  The seminary offers master’s degrees in theology, religious education and divinity, and a dual master’s in divinity-social work.  A doctorate in ministry is also available.  Open to students of any denomination, the seminary attract students from throughout the world.

With its multitude of quality learning resources and teaming opportunities, Holland excels in developing individuals who gain a competitive edge in the 21^st Century marketplace.