External Links

These links to other websites offer more information about our city, our schools, and Christian and urban education in general:

Christian Education

• White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools
  "[T]he purpose of the summit is to highlight the lack of educational options facing low-income urban students. And we're going to bring together educators and clergy and philanthropists and business leaders, all aiming to urge there to be reasonable legislation out of Congress and practical solutions to save these schools — and more importantly, to save the children."

Oakdale

• The History of Oakdale's "Unique Role in the City"
  (410KB PDF) In 1974, the GRCSA board opposed a recommendation to close Oakdale, citing its "unique role in the city." (Grand Rapids Press)
• Oakdale Christian 115th Birthday Slideshow
  (28MB PDF) Enjoy a journey through Oakdale's 115 years in our community. Photos from the first dedicated building in 1893 — at a cost of $575 — through the present.
• Christian elementary schools plan merger
  A group representing Grand Rapids Christian Schools inner-city elementaries will develop a plan to consolidate the schools [1/28/2008 mlive.com]
  
• Grand Rapids Christian to raise tuition, cut staff
  Grand Rapids Christian Schools Superintendent Tom DeJonge hopes to have a solid plan for reorganizing the city's four Christian elementary schools by June [3/6/2008 mlive.com]

Urbanism

• White House Summit on Inner-City Children and Faith-Based Schools
  "[T]he purpose of the summit is to highlight the lack of educational options facing low-income urban students. And we're going to bring together educators and clergy and philanthropists and business leaders, all aiming to urge there to be reasonable legislation out of Congress and practical solutions to save these schools — and more importantly, to save the children."
• Southtown Moving Guide
  But the reality for several southeast side neighborhoods is changing; residents and community organizations are establishing a higher standard for living and doing business. These neighborhoods have set a course for revitalization and renewal, and they are steadily achieving their ambitious goals. [www.rapidgrowthmedia.com]
• The Next Slum?
  For 60 years, Americans have pushed steadily into the suburbs, transforming the landscape and (until recently) leaving cities behind. But today the pendulum is swinging back toward urban living, and there are many reasons to believe this swing will continue. [March 2008 Atlantic Monthly]