Ann Arbor Christian School - History and a Plan for Growth - Serving families in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Brighton, Whitmore Lake, and surrounding communities.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

History

"Some of the core principles that we wanted this school to embrace was first of all the concept that our world belongs to God, that everything that we do and learn and teach is a gift from God and reflects our life of gratitude to God. We also wanted the school to strive for academic excellence, because that is one way that we live out our gratitude. We wanted the school to be welcoming to a diverse range of families from different congregations and denominations, and we wanted the school to be parent governed and democratic in that process." Lorri VanderRoest, Founding Parent

Ann Arbor Christian School is the fulfillment of a dream shared by many committed parents who wanted to establish an interdenominational school in Ann Arbor. After years of laying the groundwork, a modular building was installed behind the Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church in 1991. The school opened that year with four students in grades K-2 and one gifted teacher. Ann Arbor Christian School continued to grow steadily.

With more than 100 students enrolled in grades K-6 in fall 2002, it was clear we had reached the physical limits of our original facility. The steady demand for Christian education in our area encouraged us to build a new 32,000-square-foot facility and to add a middle school. It is located in Northfield Township, near US-23. The site is within the Ann Arbor school district, which allows students to be bused to and from classes. Classes began at the new school in February 2003; in 2004 we became a K-8 school.

To build our new facility we turned to families, charitable foundations, members of local churches, individual churches, businesses, and alumni families. Through our capital campaign, we secured pledges of $3 million, and are financing the remainder of the cost with a $1 million loan. Nearly 75 percent of the donations came from school parents.

A Plan for Growth

Ann Arbor Christian School approached its ambitious plans to build a new facility with prayer and careful planning. Looking back, we see God�s guidance in establishing this school as a strong, prospering presence in the community. Looking ahead, we see God continuing to lead and mold this school into a place where academic excellence and the integration of faith with learning combine to prepare future generations for service in His world.

The school's development committee oversees the continuing and future financial health of the school. The school recently launched an ambitious fundraising plan for the school.