Holland Public Schools is a school district in Holland, Michigan, founded in 1848. Approximately 314 teachers, with an average of 14 years experience each and most possessing master's degrees, offer instruction in core curriculum along with other programs, including art, music, athletics, theater, forensics, K-12 Spanish, technology literacy, special education, English as a Second Language, and many extra-curricular activities.
| Holland Public Schools | |
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"A World of Opportunity."
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| Location | |
| 156 West 11th Street Holland, MI 49423 |
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| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1848 |
| Superintendent | Brian Davis |
| Faculty | 314 |
| Grades | PreK-12 |
| Enrollment | 4532 |
| Website | www.hollandpublicschools.org |
Contents |
Holland Bands Holland High School's band has been known in the past for marching in wooden shoes in parades. More recently they have been trying their hand at a more competitive style of marching and forming a viable concert program that will be able to compete with the fine traditions of MSBOA. Directed by Jonathon Bogue, the band plays 'Tiptoe Through The Tulips' when marching in the Tulip Time Festival parades. The band has played all around the country and through-out the state of Michigan. They also have a windmill on their uniform--It's pretty wind-tastic.
Gifted/Talented Program Holland Public is the only school district to have the G/T program. It features students who think in new and different ways. Holland Public Schools recognizes academic talent within its student population. The district acknowledges that gifted students need support, encouragement, and innovative strategies that motivate them to achieve at their personal best.
The Vocal Dimensions Holland High School is recognized for its great musically talented students, according to some of the local community members. Vocal Dimensions helps put sixteen individuals on spotlight as they are often known as the best singers at Holland High. Vocals is taught and led by Rick Phelps, who also teaches and directs Concert Choir and Treble Choir and the 8th grade choir at the school. Some acts for the Vocal Dimensions include: The Wooden Shoe-Be-Doo for Tulip Time, The Annual Vocal Dimension Show in March, The Jazz Festival at Forest Hills Northern, and of course the Choir Concerts. They have performed at several other locations too.
Unfortunately, the vocal teacher at Holland High, Kerry Daab announced his retirement March 23rd, 2010 after about the thirty years in the Holland Public Schools system.
Theatre and Forensics The Holland High's competitive theatre team captured its 14th State "Class A" Championship at Grand Rapids Christian in early 2007.
In early 2009, Holland High captured the 15th state title at Chelsea High School with its production of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'. This show received top honors in nearly every category including Acting, Costumes, Lighting, Set, and much more. This show also received the 'People's Choice Award', an award that each member school at the State festival votes on. They vote for which school put on the best play. It was the first time a school had won both awards.
On February 20th, 2010, Holland High captured its 16th state title at Midland Performing Arts Center with its production of "Romeo and Juliet" set in the 1920's. Holland received superior honors in nearly every category including Acting, Costumes, Set, and more. The entire cast won an excellence award for acting.
On February 19th, 2011, Holland High School received second place honors at the State Theatre festival in Clinton Township, Michigan. Their production of "The Three Musketeers" received the most points at the festival with a 284 out of a possible 300 but yet fell to Livonia Stevenson and their production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" due to judges preference. Holland High School received top honors in nearly every category yet again for Acting, Costumes, Set, Lighting and Sound design, etc. This was the first time in three years Holland didn't bring the trophy home.
| Fall Musicals | Competitive Theatre | |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | The Boyfriend | Philemon** |
| 2006-2007 | Good News! | Good News!* |
| 2007-2008 | Damn Yankees! | Terra Nova** |
| 2008-2009 | Seven Brides for Seven Brothers | Seven Brides for Seven Brothers* |
| 2009-2010 | Once Upon A Mattress | Romeo and Juliet* |
| 2010-2011 | The Three Musketeers# | The Three Musketeers** |
| 2011-2012 | The Wizard of OZ |
Holland High School has been giving summer theatre opportunities to current students and alumni for the past three summers. In 2009, Holland Theatre Guild presented "Footloose" featuring Skyler Adams as Ren McCormack, Kelsey Kammeraad as Ariel, Erik Durham as Chuck Cranston, Zack Lindell as Willard and Dan Thayer as Reverend Shaw. In 2010, Holland Theatre Guild presented "Grease" featuring Skyler Adams as Danny Zuko, Kelsey Colburn as Sandy Dombrowski, Aiden deJong as Kenickie, Erik Durham as Roger, Emily Gilcrest as Jan and Kenny Baker as Teen Angel. In the summer of 2011, Holland Theatre Guild presented two musicals, "Forever Plaid" and "The Marvelous Wonderettes." Forever Plaid featured Erik Durham as Francis, Skyler Adams as Sparky, Aiden deJong as Jinx, and Kenny Baker as Smudge. The Marvelous Wonderettes featured Jillian Baker, Vania Fieguroa, Elizabeth Veenhoven, and Katie Dutler-Thomsen. These shows will premiere on July 21st (Forever Plaid) and July 22nd (The Marvelous Wonderettes).
FLES The district's Foreign Language in the Elementary School (FLES) program brings Spanish instruction to students in grades K-7. FLES instruction involves more than Spanish language and cultural lessons, FLES teachers work with classroom teachers to also reinforce key components of the core curriculum in Spanish.
Hopwood DePree - Owner of Tic Toc Studios
Trevor Bakker - Harvard graduate, ranked in 2010's Harvard's Most Interesting Seniors
Luke Witkowski - Western Michigan Broncos Hockey Player - drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Draft
Joel Schoon-Tanis - Creator of "Come On Over!," a children's television series that has received Michigan Emmy awards since it's creation. It also was nominated for a National Daytime Emmy award in 2010. It came in second to "The Electric Company."