Grand Rapids Christian Schools

At A Glance

Grand Rapids Christian Schools (GRCS), located in Grand Rapids, MI, leveraged Seed Tree Group to develop an entrepreneurial education program in 2023 to help its students develop critical life skills while differentiating the school in a competitive Christian school market.

With the support of SeedTree Group, GRCS embraced a unique approach that focused on building an entrepreneurial mindset, engaging students, and fostering a collaborative culture.

The Big Opportunity

Grand Rapids is home to a high density of Christian schools, making it challenging for individual institutions to stand out. GRCS saw an opportunity to create a distinct educational experience by integrating entrepreneurial principles into their curriculum, equipping students with skills such as growth mindset, grit, redefining failure, and opportunity seeking.

This would not only enhance student learning but also position GRCS as a leader in innovative Christian education.

Empowering the School

Working in partnership with GRCS, Seed Tree customized an entrepreneurial program to address the specific challenges of standing out in a competitive Christian school market. Seed Tree focused on empowering GRCS faculty with the skills and confidence to integrate entrepreneurial principles into their teaching, offering specialized workshops and collaborative planning sessions.

By emphasizing a hands-on approach to problem-solving and critical thinking, Seed Tree helped GRCS create a program that connected students’ personal values with their learning, culminating in a student-led business venture that showcased the school’s unique vision for education.

In the words of Kevin Van Harn, program director, “I can’t tell you how great it’s been to have Seed Tree Group supporting this growth right now. They’ve given me some of the key pieces that have helped me motivate my students to run this business well and to cast the vision. It’s been amazing.”

The Transformation

GRCS’s entrepreneurial program has become a defining feature of the school, setting it apart in a crowded market. Students not only developed practical skills but also gained confidence and a deeper sense of purpose through their projects.

The collaborative environment fostered by the program strengthened relationships among students and teachers. Parents and community members have praised the school’s innovative approach, and the program has enhanced GRCS’s reputation as a leader in holistic, Christ-centered education. The program continues to grow as students are currently launching the second on-campus business while strategically planning for ongoing growth.