In a Catholic school, we want students to grow and play in the most joyful way possible.

Grounded in prayer, Catholic preschools ensure that what’s most important is front and center in our youngest students’ everyday experiences.

This guest post is from Mrs. Tara Lafferty, a teacher at Divine Providence Academy.

I teach 6th-8th grade at Divine Providence Academy. Most of my students live on farms, or on land with a lot of space. Their homes are also spread out from each other, dotting a radius of 30 miles or more.

This story originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of FAITH Grand Rapids magazine. It was written by Maryalene Laponsie and features photography by Holly Dolci.

‘They looked at him with love’

The 24-hour giving event begins on Jan. 28, during Celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

This new college scholarship program is for Grand Rapids residents graduating from a high school within the city, starting with the class of 2020.

The new construction adds six classrooms to the school.

Using some plastic sheeting, duct tape, a garbage bag, and a fan, students built a planetarium to learn about constellations.

We recently asked parents what their children are learning in their Catholic school.

A hallmark of Catholic education in the Diocese of Grand Rapids is the welcoming community where every child is honored and celebrated.

Our mission is rooted in Christ, who calls us to value and love all people, no matter their faith or culture; anyone can find strength and meaning in our schools. 

This spirit of community extends even to when school is not in session, as shown by this testimonial from Steven Kelley, a parent at Trinity Catholic Elementary School: