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 Committed to opening doors of Christ-centered education to children of various ethnic backgrounds and income levels, two volunteer teachers and twelve students began classes in the basement of a local church.
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 full accredited and have more than 480 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.