The Evergreen Program
A Balanced Calendar K-5th Grade Alternative
For those families seeking an alternative to the traditional school calendar the Evergreen Program is an option that features all the benefits of all our elementary curriculum within a balanced calendar school year. In addtion, the Evergreen Program offers Kindergarten through 5th Grade students a curriculum that is consistently applied through experiential, project-based learning in multiage classrooms.
The Evergreen Program operates at our Sylvan campus, and adds two weeks to both the beginning and the end of our traditional school calendar. Students who attend Evergreen have the same number of school days as those attending traditional programs; they simply have one-week breaks, or flex weeks, every eight to nine weeks throughout the school year, shortening the traditional summer vacation.
During flex weeks, children are encouraged to attend enrichment sessions offered at Evergreen. These sessions have included archeological digs, snowshoeing, community art projects and environmental stewardship outings. Education experts believe that this continous school schedule fosters learning and keeps students engaged.
For questions about Evergreen, please contact Mark Krommendyk, principal, at 616-574-6500 or email mkrommen@grcs.org. For enrollment information, please call Linda Vellenga at 616-574-6015 or email lvellenga@grcs.org.