FAQ
In the 2020/2021 school year, we have approximately 640 students enrolled at The Potter’s House, with about 400 in the PK-8 building and 240 at the High School.
Preschool caps at 18, K-8 caps at 24, and most of the High School has class sizes at 25 or less. Depending on the needs and course choices of the students at the high school, the class size can range from 5 for English Language Learner classrooms to 30 for Dual-Enrollment college courses.
Since the beginning of The Potter’s House, teachers taught students from multiple grades within the same classroom. Historically, this was because the school started with only two teachers and twelve students; however, as the school has grown, we have maintained this model of the multi-age classroom because of its great benefits to student learning.
One reason this is beneficial is that multi-age classrooms allow for looping, which is when students have a teacher for two consecutive years. Looping allows for teachers not only to develop the older students as leaders, but also helps quicken the time it takes for students to learn the routines and guidelines of the classroom. Students new to the teacher can use their peers to learn the systems of the class and have several avenues for accountability instead of solely the teacher.
Second, multi-age classrooms provide teachers and administrators more options in designing the classroom. In many schools, students mostly have to go through school with the same group of students every year until the day of graduation. Multi-age classrooms gives us the ability to mix and match classrooms to promote the healthiest environment for every student. And this allows for students to know a wider array of students between three grades instead of only having interaction within one grade.
Third, they allow for students to learn at their own rate because teachers form classes based on differentiated instruction. If a 4th grader is at a 5th grade level, he or she can learn 5th grade content; and if a 5th grader is at a 4th grade level, she or he can learn at a 4th grade level and receive appropriate remediation.
Lastly, the most significant benefit is the deeper relationship that students and families can have with teachers. Our teachers are what set The Potter’s House apart, and this model allows for teachers to know the needs of students over the course of two years instead of one, giving the student several strong advocates through his or her entire educational experience.
The Potter’s House currently has a combination of multi-age classrooms: Kindergarten with Grade 1, Grade 2 with Grade 3, Grade 4 with Grade 5, and Grade 6 with Grade 7.
| PK Three | Wednesday, Friday 8:30am-11:30am |
| PK Four | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am-11:30am |
| Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12:30pm-3:30pm | |
| 3-Day Kindergarten | Monday and Friday 8:30am-3:30pm, Wednesday 8:30-1:15pm |
| 5-Day K-8 | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:25am-3:35pm |
| Wednesday 8:25am-1:15pm | |
| We offer exploratory classes for grades 2-8 until 3:35pm | |
| High School | 8:00am-3:25pm |
20% of the budget is tuition based. The rest (80%) is fundraised from individuals, businesses, and family endowments/foundations.
| African | 7.5% |
| African American | 19% |
| Asian | 5% |
| Caucasian | 43% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 25% |
| Native American | 1% |
| Total % Students of Color | 57% |
Yes! This is why the school started in 1981. We have Christian teachers who at their core believe that is why they teach at The Potter’s House. They strive to find the intersections between their faith and curriculum. This is called teaching from a Christ-centered perspective. We teach the Bible and its truth in all of our classes.
We also have a lot of faith formation activities. K-8 we have chapel twice a week. Starting at 4th grade, we add discipleship class to the week. Discipleship is about Bible memory and mentorship for a Christian role model.
At the High School, we have chapel and discipleship once a week. Also, every student attends base camp (Spiritual Retreat) and has the option for a mission trip to Mexico during the Sophomore year.
No. We do provide transportation between buildings before and after school.
The Potter’s House has a morning program that starts at 7:00 AM and lasts until school begins. The program consists of free playtime in the gym, exercises, and devotions.
The Potter's House is an innovative Christ-centered school in a multi-cultural urban setting. The school is non- denominational and evangelical in nature; our main purpose is to provide solid Christ-centered education for a broad range of children who might not normally have the opportunity to attend a Christ-centered school. In order to ensure a diverse social and cultural mix within the student body, tuition is based on a percentage of the parental income rather than on a fixed rate.
The Potter's House offers Christ-centered education. Since God is the center of reality, the Bible will be taught as having significance in all areas of life. Christian discipleship and decision-making will be emphasized. The basics will be taught with sensitivity given to each child’s learning rate and interests.
At The Potter’s House, we strive to form students as writers, readers, speakers, mathematicians, scientists, and disciples in order to equip them to serve God and society to their fullest potential. In developing these identities, we want to guide them joyfully to understand God’s creation and establish His Kingdom in our neighborhood, city, and world.
The Potter’s House is 100% a Christ-centered school. This means that we do not accept public money with a few minor exceptions. We are able to tell the good news of Jesus at any time during the school day. Charter and Public schools are not by law able to talk about or promote Jesus inside the school building.
The PK-12 is accredited by AdvancEd (now called Cognia).
Yes. We also have breakfast. The program is part of the US Department of Agriculture Free and Reduced lunch program. Click here to apply for the program.
Yes. We do have a few exceptions for teachers who do not have a teaching credential, but they add to our mission. We also have several teachers with an M.Ed. or a Ph.D.
Yes. We have African American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American teachers, administrators, and staff members.
Yes. The teachers are required to sign a statement of faith. Most teachers have worked as missionaries or worked with urban students before they come to TPH.
Statement of Faith
We believe in the Triune God: God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that the Bible, God’s Word, is infallible, reliable, and applicable to today’s person, adult or child. The Bible is also a gift to use and to cherish.
We believe that each child is created in the image of God. The image is not restricted to any race, sex, or income level. The image of God gives each child an enormous, unique potential. Each child is a whole child possessing unique intellectual, creative, decisional, and emotional dimensions. The major goal of education is to bring each child into his or her full potential in conformance with the image of God.
We believe that the world was perfect at creation, but sin intervened, severing all people’s perfect relationship with God and bringing consequences on every object and institution within the creation. God, in His love, provided Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for sin and restore each person to full favor with God. God freely calls people to accept the gift of salvation. God also requires that individuals and social groups follow in obedience to His word. He requires people to work to restore creation and overcome the consequences of sin both in the natural world and in society.
We typically have open spots in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and the High School. Most of the students on the waiting list are between 1st grade and 7th grade. We will look for families who fit our mission.
All new applicants start off on the waiting list until enrollment. If you don’t get in the first year, then we will ask you if you would like to remain on the waiting list for the next year.
There is one section of 3-day (all day) and another section of 5-day (all day).
Yes. We also add Bible classes to the core curriculum.
Yes. We have 7 AP courses, 6 Honors courses, and we have dual enrollment with Grace Christian University. We also have concurrent enrollment with Calvin University for Advanced Chemistry. Many of the teachers have advanced degrees.
Over 95% of our students go onto college after they leave The Potter’s House.
Currently, The Potter’s House High School offers Advanced Placement courses, Dual-Enrollment courses, Concurrent courses, and courses through the Kent Career Technical Center (KCTC), which equate to a full year of college credit.
Lastly, for Grand Rapids residents attending a high school in the city of Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone will facilitate the funding for the students to attend Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). Our high school is located in the city of Wyoming, but, nevertheless, our students who qualify for free or reduced lunch currently receive full-funding to attend GRCC through a combination of federal and state grants, and this has been the case for nearly every alumni student who has chosen to attend GRCC.
Yes. The Junior/Senior students that choose to attend go to the 1st session (6:55-9:10 AM). Click here for more information. We transport the students back to The Potter’s House once the session is over.
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