7.23.20 – Tom DeJonge

Thomas DeJonge serves as Superintendent of Grand Rapids Christian Schools, a private, faith-based school system that enrolls 2,300 students in Preschool – 12 th Grade on five (5) campuses located throughout the Grand Rapids community. He has held that position since 2004. Prior to serving as GRCS’ Superintendent, Mr. DeJonge served for 25 years in building-level and central administrative and teaching positions in public schools located throughout West Michigan, including serving two years as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, three years as Director of Community and Human Relations, 13 years as an elementary principal, and seven years as a special education and 1 st grade teacher.

Under his leadership as Superintendent, Grand Rapids Christian Schools has:

• raised and invested more than $70 million in new capital construction and facility renovations at each of the district’s five campuses, including more than $45 million at Grand Rapids Christian High School alone, in order to ensure GRCS’ facilities align with and support its broad range of educational programs and instructional priorities;  eliminated nearly $23 million in operational debt;
• increased the Grand Rapids Christian School Foundation from $4 million to
  more than $18 million; and
• doubled the Schools’ annual fund, which provides resources for financial aid
  educational programs, to nearly $1.7 million per year

Mr. DeJonge has extensive experience in strategic planning, spearheading three strategic plans in his tenure as GRCS’ superintendent. Each plan articulated strategic priorities, engaged relevant stakeholders, and strengthened the Schools’ educational programs and secured GRCS’ operational and financial health.

Mr. DeJonge resides in Grand Rapids with his wife, Jacquie, a School Psychologist at Forest Hills Public Schools. He has two adult children: Leah DeJonge Rinker, a teacher at Wheaton Academy, a faith-based high school in Chicago; and Austin DeJonge, a creative director at DDB, an advertising agency in New York City.