School
Preschool & Young 5’s
Preschool Classes Offered
Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 8:45am – 11:15am.
Tuesday & Thursday from 8:45am – 11:15am.
We are again offering our afternoon extension program for our Preschool Students.
Families can choose to add 1, 2 or 3 afternoons. Please call the office for more information!
Young 5’s program Offered
Monday through Friday 8:45am – 11:15am
Monday through Friday 8:45am – 3:15pm
A 100$ deposit must be submitted in order for your child’s seat to be reserved. We will be starting a waiting list- if for some reason there is not enough space for all students enrolled you will be reimbursed your deposit.
To enroll in our Preschool Program students must be 4 by September 1. To enroll in our Young 5’s program students must be 5 by December 1.
Excellence for Young Minds
Our preschool is an amazing experience for 4-year-olds and our Young 5’s program is specially designed for those ready for a half-day all week. We focus on learning about Jesus and his Word in a hands-on, project/thematic approach in which the world makes sense. Literacy and working on kindergarten readiness is always a focus while using all the ways available to us to learn more about God’s world.
All Day Options
We are excited to once again offer our all day option for Preschool and Young 5’s. We understand that some students are ready for some full days but not a full week of them- so we have created the perfect solution!
You can now choose how many afternoons you would like your child to attend. Preschool Students may choose to add our afternoon extension program- 1,2 or 3 afternoons.
Please call the office to set up which afternoons you are interested in!
**There is a minimum student enrollment. We reserve the right to change or cancel this program if the minimum is not met.
The Right Fit for You
With so many choices available today, selecting the best preschool to fit the needs of your child and your family can seem complicated. The program at South Olive Christian School is designed to suit the individuality of your preschooler with scheduling options to match the needs of your family. Preschool students (age 4) can attend our morning program 2, or 3 days a week. Children age 5 can enroll in our Young 5’s program for 5 mornings a week. If you need help deciding what is best for your family please reach out and we can assist you in deciding!
Traditional 2 Morning Option:
Traditional 2 day AM option: ($989)
Our 2 morning option will run Tuesday and Thursday mornings. This option is great for the kiddos who need a little more time to adjust to being away from home. They are able to experience and benefit from the Preschool Environment without it being too overwhelming!
Traditional 3 Morning Option
Traditional 3 day AM option: ($1,442)
Our traditional 3 morning options allows students to attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. This allows students to feel the excitement of going to school and be able to learn and focus on learning basics.
Traditional Young 5 Program
5 AM Young 5 option: ($2,403)
With the need to know so much before beginning Kindergarten this class mimics a typical Young 5 program but allows more time to learn through “hands on learning through play.” This program is great for the student who is comfortable with being away from home and is ready to take in more of a school day!
Young 5 All Day Program
All day Young 5’s Program:
($4,020)
Some students are ready for the all-day options but not in the typical “learning in a seat” way. This program is perfect for those students! Our Young 5 students focus on learning through hands on play. The all-day option allows for a rest time that many of these students still need to make it through the day. The afternoon program allows for a more relaxed learning environment that extends off the morning lessons.
Kindergarten, Elementary and Middle School:
Preschool Coordinator
Kindergarten/1st Grade
Polly Storteboom
The love of children…grins and laughter… childhood wonders… playing…books…the combination of these drew me to be an educator. I knew from the time I was eleven years old that I wanted to be a teacher and have steadfastly followed that dream and goal. Teaching is
what I do, I love it!
I grew up in the countryside of upstate New York. Having gone to public school my entire life, I chose to attend a Christian college. I graduated from Calvin College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Since then, I have taught in New Mexico, California, and Michigan. Christian School, Public School, and Homeschooling have provided a variety of teacher experiences! I am happily married to my husband Scott and we have 4 children, who are in middle school, high school, and college.
Presently, I am the director and teacher of preschool and am also a second and third grade teacher at South Olive Christian School. I love teaching here and treasure that SOCS is committed to teaching from a Biblical perspective while looking at the whole child: the academic, spiritual, social, physical, and emotional facets of each one. The staff is welcoming, talented, and creative, the parents supportive and involved, while the students bring joy and make me smile each and every day!
Emily Kohl
“I attended Nyack College, in New York and obtained my bachelor’s degree in childhood education and a masters degree in special education. After graduating, I knew South Olive was the place I wanted to teach. I had attended South Olive as a student in grades K-8, so it was an extremely special opportunity to return as a teacher.
Fall of 2020 I married an incredible man named Tyler Kohl. We are settling in as a married couple. We are also beyond excited to welcome our first baby girl into our family in July of 2021! We can not wait to begin this chapter of our life!
One thing I love most about teaching at South Olive is the relationships I get to build with the parents. Some of the parents of my students have become some of my greatest friends. It is such a special thing to teach in a place where you truly feel you’re surrounded by family. South Olive is that place for me.”
2nd/ 3rd Grade
Jamie Essenburg
I currently teach second and third grade at South Olive Christian school. I have been teaching here for almost 10 years and I don’t know if I ever could go anywhere else. This school is my second home; it is like a second family. The small personal setting really helps to build a relationship with not just the students but Parents and staff as well.
I went to West Ottawa for my entire elementary middle school and high school years. And chose a Christian college after. I went to Cornerstone University and there I realized I want to share my faith with others and help students grow.
I also love to share my passion of sports at school by being the athletic director, as well as the softball and volleyball coach for our students. I love teaching at the school where we help students grow In many areas of their life.
4th/5th Grade
Ellen Jacobs
I love living in West Michigan and I love teaching 4th and 5th graders at SOCS. I am so blessed to learn with the students and play on the playground with them during recess.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength” and I try to live each day for Jesus at school and at home. I am married to Jeff Jacobs, a graduate of Purdue and a Civil Engineer. We have two sons. Nate is a graduate of Calvin University and a CPA. Ryan is a graduate of Michigan State and a Mechanical Engineer.
A graduate of Calvin University, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary education and a Masters Degree in Special Education. I enjoyed being on the board of Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics, a volunteer at Helen De Vos Children’s Hospital, and a deacon at Holland Heights CRC. “Truly the joy of the Lord is my strength”.
Middle School- 6th, 7th, 8th
Dawn VerBrugge
I graduated from Calvin College BS in Secondary Education, a major in Mathematics, a Physics/Chemistry group major and a minor in German. God has guided and provided through every stage of my life. I taught math at Grand Rapids Christian High, had three wonderful children, was a Children’s Pastor at VictoryPoint Ministries, taught math at Hope College and middle school science at GRACE Homeschool Association.
I LOVE teaching at SOCS! Middle schoolers are the best and Math and Science are my favorite subjects. This is truly my sweet spot. I love being part of a community so dedicated to Christian education.
In my classroom we focus on active, hands-on learning, working with others, helping each other, and recognizing God’s amazing work in this world and in our lives. I love seeing the growth in each student both personally and educationally and I’m enjoying getting to know the unique character of each of my students.
Mark Rozeboom
I am blessed not only because I get to teach middle schoolers every day at South Olive Christian School but also because I get to be inspired by them every day. They are fun-loving, ready with a compliment, curious about new and exciting things, eager to learn more about the Bible and their faith practice, passionate about what they believe in, and so much more. I know that truly “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” as Jesus taught in Mark 10:14. These wonderful young people will soon become young men and women of God who are equipped with faith, hope, and love to build up his kingdom of heaven on earth, and I am grateful to be a part of that!
Homeschool Connections
South Olive Christian School offers a Homeschool Options for those that would like to have their children learn from home as well as in a classroom setting. Using our Home School Liaison to help parents and the classroom teachers ensure each student is engaged with the material and has the necessary support at both home and school.
The Homeschool Connections Program (HSC) at South Olive Christian School is truly a one of a kind program in our area. Teachers collaborate with parents to teach students 5 days a week; 3 days at school and 2 days at home. What makes our program unique is that HSC students jump right into the regular classrooms. In other words, there is a not a separate classroom for just the Homeschool students! Our Home School Program is offered for students in K- 5th grade. Please call the office at 616-875-8224 with any questions!
Mon/Wed/Friday
Cost will be 80% of normal tuition
Students attend school Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They follow South Olives Curriculum, completing work in class when at school, and completing work at home on the days not attending. These students attend our daily specials (provided by West Ottawa such as music, spanish, gym, computer, library and art.) on the days they are here, as well as participate in our all school chapels on Friday.
South Olive Christian School’s curriculum is provided for all homeschool students. This has become a major game-changer for many families in our area as many want their children to be involved with other students- but still study at home as well! Our Homeschool Liasion works closely with each family as well as the teachers to ensure that everyone is on the same page so that the students continue to excel whether at school or home.
Tuition: Let’s work together! 2022-2023 School Year
At South Olive Christian School we recognize the need and want for Christian Education in this ever-changing world. We also understand that paying for schooling can be a difficult choice for some families. South Olive Christain knowingly has affordable tuition rates.
Affordable For All Program: This program is based off of the families last year’s income. You will be referred to our Tuition Coordinator to receive your families tuition details. We also are able to set up a payment plan that works for your family. We want every family to know that if you have an interest in coming to South Olive we will work with you to help that happen! Please feel free to call Shawn- the tuition coordinator- at 616-836-9788 if you have any questions!
*Please note Afforable For All Program is not avaliable to the Home School option.
| Home School Program Costs- K-5th | ||
| 1 Student | $3,856 | |
| 2 Students | $6,441 | |
| 3 Students | $8,242 | |
| 4 Students | $9,423 | |
A $100 Deposit is required for all Preschool students and any new family enrolling in K-8th. Your child’s seat is not reserved until we have received this deposit. If your child is placed on a waiting list and we do not have a seat available once school starts you will be reimbursed your deposit fee.
| Preschool AM Classes- If intersted in our afternoon extention program please contact our office. | ||||
| 2 Day Preschool | $989 | |||
| 3 Day Preschool | $1,442 | |||
| Young 5 Program | ||||
| 5 AM Young 5 | $2,403 | |||
| All Day Young 5 | $4,020 | |||
| Kindergarten – 8th | ||
| 1 Student | $4,820 | |
| 2 Students | $8,051 | |
| 3 Students | $10,302 | |
| 4 Students | $11,779 | |
**Please note these tuition amounts do not include the
Tech, Field Trip or T-shirt fees.
**Just attending PM Preschool is not an option at this time
Please call if any questions 616-875-8224
Specials:
We partner with West Ottawa Public School for our ” Specials” classes. W.O. comes to our school and provides the following classes once a week (K-8th)
* Tech * Spanish * Art * Music * Gym
South Olive Christian School also provides Preschool-8th Library once a week. We are blessed as well to hold ALL school Chapels once a week! During this time we praise our amazing God through song and worship. We invite local speakers come talk with our children and share a short message. We pride ourselves on being one family through out our school. We also do Family Groups several times a month- this is a time where the students are mixed with all different age students and simple spend time together and do fun team building activities.
Sports
The students at South Olive Christian begin playing on team sports in 6th grade. We do combined sports from grades 6th-8th grade. This allows ALL students to begin practicing and participating in the following activities- Soccer, Volleyball, Softball and Basketball. Sports are a great way to teach teamwork and can provide life lessons on and off the fields.
Students enrolled in our Homeschool Connection Program are always welcome and encouraged to participate.
** PLEASE NOTE -Due to the increase of student at South Olive- enrolled students will get priority to play. If not enough students show interest to make a complete team we will then open up the team to non-enrolled students
Before participating in sports at South Olive please read through our Handbook and ask any questions you may have. Please note at the end of Hand Book there is a form that needs to be signed and returned before student is allowed to play. Students must also fill out the Athletic Participation forms before allowed to participate.
This from needs to be completed before students are allowed to play any sports at South Olive Christian School.
