The Board of Trustees of the new independent Catholic school associated with St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church are pleased to announce the hiring of Liz Peters as the founding principal of the new school in Ada.
“We are very excited to have such an accomplished educator leading this effort,” said Mike Jandernoa, one of the founders of the new school. “She will bring great leadership to this important expansion of Catholic education to our young students for years to come.”
Mrs. Peters has nearly 15 years of experience in Catholic education in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. She began her career at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Holland, where she taught second through fifth grades for more than a decade. In 2013, Mrs. Peters was hired as the assistant principal at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Grand Rapids. She is leaving that position to become principal of St. Robert Catholic School.
Mrs. Peters holds a bachelor’s degree in English language arts and literature with a minor in education from Grand Valley State University. She holds a master’s degree in education from Cornerstone University and certification as an administrator and teacher through the State of Michigan, as well as advanced catechist certification through the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to bring Catholic school education to families in the Ada and Cascade areas,” said Mrs. Peters. “St. Robert Catholic School will provide a premier Catholic education empowering students to be the person God created them to be. The school will have a STEM focus to help form the next generation of Catholic leaders needed for our neighborhoods, cities and country.”
The new independent elementary school will open at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church (6477 Ada Drive, Ada, MI, 49301) this fall. The school will begin with 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old preschool and kindergarten, as well as with before- and after-school child care for these students. The school will add one grade per year added through eighth grade.
The opening of St. Robert Catholic School is consistent with the new “Bridging Faith and Future” strategic plan for Catholic schools in the diocese, announced in August 2017, which calls for examining ways to bring Catholic education to areas where families do not currently have easy access to a Catholic school. In our diocese, this will be the first Catholic school to open in more than 50 years where one did not exist previously.
You can learn more about St. Robert Catholic School by visiting StRobertSchoolAda.org or by contacting Mrs. Peters at lpeters@strobertschoolada.org.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 30 vibrant learning communities (25 elementary and five high schools) serving more than 6,600 preschool through 12th grade students within a seven-county area of West Michigan. Our schools inspire young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. We partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life—that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential.