Welcome to West Catholic! Our tag line, We Stand Together in Learning, Forever in Faith demonstrates the warm, caring collaborative environment you will find in our dynamic, excellence-driven high school. Located on a sprawling 42-acre campus in the northwest corner of Grand Rapids, we offer rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and, most importantly, faith formation dedicated to the transformation of students who will live their earthly and eternal lives as humble servants of God.
From Aquinas College dual enrollment classes on-site and 17 Advanced Placement classes, to a highly acclaimed Student Services Support Program, we offer individualized education for a wide spectrum of students. It’s no wonder we are rated the #1 private school in the Grand Rapids Metro Area (Niche), have been honored as a Catholic School of Excellence by the Cardinal Newman Society since 2007, and have made the Washington Post’s Most Challenging Schools in America list for the past three years. We invite you to join us! Find out more at www.gowestcatholic.org.
Mission
To form Disciples of Christ through a dynamic, excellence-driven Catholic education.
Academics
An Education Founded in Excellence
West Catholic is proud of its over 50-year history of academic excellence. Seventeen Advanced Placement courses are taught on campus, and many students earn dual-enrollment credits through a partnership with Aquinas College also offered on-site. Over 60 percent of our graduates leave high school with college credits.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Your student will design using our very own 3D printers, reach for the stars in our on-site observatory, compete with our award-winning robotics team, and innovate in our pre-engineering classes.
Our 1:1 iPad learning initiative is an essential component to our dynamic learning environment. Here, your student will have access to the highest quality educational experiences to develop the skills necessary in our global society.
We Care
At West, our teachers focus on the whole student: expanding the mind, strengthening the body, and enriching the soul. Our low student-teacher ratio (16:1) means that your student will receive individual attention.
Academic support is available to students with individualized learning needs. Teachers are available for tutoring before and after school at the Academic Learning Center. In addition, a full-time teacher with a degree in special education and in-house certified tutors assist students, parents and teachers with learning strategies and academic support.
Faith
We foster each child’s relationship with God through prayer, participation in the sacraments, yearly class retreats and Christian service opportunities. The teachings of St. John Paul II’s theology of the body are integrated in to our theology curriculum. Students are given many opportunities to spend quiet time alone or with their classmates in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our St. John Paul II adoration Chapel. Here, they will join parents, grandparents, and other members of the WC community who intercede for our students and staff in adoration while school is in session.
Both our diocesan priest chaplain and our full-time campus minister lead students in faith activities through groups which include Priestly Discernment, Catholics in Action, Students for Life, Peer Ministry, retreat planning and the Mother Teresa Club which engages students in service of the poor and vulnerable by committing to spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
Extracurriculars
Over 87 percent of our students lead and participate in one or more athletic teams or group activities.
Over 100 strong, the Falcon marching band has earned top honors at the MSBOA festival since 1998. Or your child will have the opportunity to participate in the jazz band, orchestra band, color guard, liturgical choir and musical productions.
At West Catholic, students learn to express themselves in the visual arts and develop open minds to the arts in everyday life. Your student will explore art history, learn to create in various media such as drawing, graphic design, photography, and portfolio preparation.
Multiple clubs and organizations are offered to enhance your student’s learning experience and development of lifelong leadership skills, including, Students for Life, NHS, student government, FIRST Robotics, Art club, Catholics in Action, Math Challenge, Peer Ministry, Quiz Bowl, ping-pong and many more.
Events
West Catholic Speaker Series: Navigating the Conversation Surrounding Human Sexuality
Navigating today’s world as a parent can be challenging, especially when it comes to having conversations surrounding complicated topics like human sexuality. West Catholic High School invites parents/guardians throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids to join us for an evening with renowned speaker/author Jackie Francois Angel. Jackie will be leading a discussion about how to have these important conversations within our families. This event is open to all parents/guardians and adults within the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
About the speaker: Jackie Francois Angel
1801 Bristol Ave. NW
Grand Rapids , MI 49504
United States
