School Addition
Grand Haven, MI | Under Construction
After nearly seven years of visioning and planning, Grand Haven Christian School (GHCS) is undertaking its most substantial facility expansion since the 1990s. The phased project is designed to support the school’s ongoing growth, strengthen its Christian learning environment, and welcome more students into the GHCS community.
This thoughtful addition includes a large new gymnasium with a stage, designed to serve not only athletic events like basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, but also worship services, student productions, and community gatherings. Retractable bleachers and moveable nets offer flexibility, allowing the space to easily adapt to a wide range of uses. The gable shape of the roof provides north facing clearstory light while reducing the volume of the space so the building can thoughtfully integrate into the neighborhood context and complement the existing school.
Five new middle school classrooms, two dedicated small group rooms organized by subject, and extended learning areas will provide room for over 200 additional students. The new learning environments are intentionally designed to be flexible, with built-ins for display and storage, technology and tack boards for visual learning, and gathering spaces that foster connection and collaboration. These spaces can also accommodate science curriculum, offering hands-on, future-ready experiences for students in Pre-K through 8th grade.
The project will also include renovations to the school’s existing main entryway and classrooms, a refreshed media center, a new teacher workroom, and updated outdoor areas for events and recreation. The playground equipment will be modernized, with new structures for Pre-K students, and new spaces will be created for both instructional learning and informal outdoor exploration. A new playfield adjacent to campus will also act as a community park and provide flexible green space for GHCS students. It was important for GHCS to grow in their current space and remain a neighborhood school that continues to meet the needs of its students while also maintaining a presence in the community.
Throughout the design, careful attention was given to ensure that branding and colors remain timeless and seamlessly integrate with the existing campus. The resulting facility will provide a cohesive environment that reflects the values of Grand Haven Christian School, supporting both short-term needs and long-term growth, while reinforcing the school’s mission to nurture faith-based learning in every student.
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