How We Started

In 1974, a small group of college graduates moved to Roosevelt Park, a low-income neighborhood on the southwest side of Grand Rapids, and opened their doors to a neighborhood ministry.

Over the next six years, they worked with over 150 children weekly. As these children began to share the stories of their lives, it became apparent that two hours a week did little to meet the academic, emotional, and spiritual needs of the children. They needed a safe place to grow and to flourish academically and spiritually.

And The Potter’s House was born.

1981

Two teachers in the group quit their jobs to work for free in order to launch a school centered on Christ and designed with a diverse student body in mind. The first day brought 12 students to classrooms in the basement of a local church. By the end of the year, 19 students were enrolled at the school and a new location needed to be found.

1982

Support from individuals and business leaders allowed us to purchase an elementary building, the former Southwest Christian School, from the Godfrey-Lee School District.

1992

We opened our doors to a middle school.

1998

Through two generous start-up gifts, we were able to begin a high school with 9th and 10th grades.

2001

We graduated our first senior class.

2003

We purchased and renovated the high-school building to include a media center, a student commons, a hands-on science lab, and a music room.

2004

After a full year of renovations, our Roosevelt Park Campus reopened with a brand-new gymnasium, a prekindergarten program, and additional classrooms.

Today

We are fully accredited and have more than 530 students in grades PK-12 on two campuses. While many exciting changes have happened at The Potter’s House since 1981, our mission has remained constant: making Christ-centered education available to all children.