Holland Christian taps alumnus to lead growing school system

Holland Christian Schools is turning to one of its own to lead a rapidly growing school system, naming alumnus Jeff Haverdink as its next head of schools as enrollment continues to climb at a double-digit pace.

Haverdink, a 1993 graduate of Holland Christian High School now serving as executive director of alumni and family engagement at Calvin University, will assume the role July 1. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in education, finance, philanthropy, and community engagement.

Haverdink emerged from a nationwide search as the candidate best positioned to guide that growth, says Board President Matt Adkins.

“Jeff brings an authentic leadership style that will fit right in here,” says Adkins.

He succeeds Eric Forseth, who retired in 2025.

Dealing with growth

School leaders say selecting an alumnus with deep local ties and broad professional experience comes at a time of expansion across the six-campus system.

Holland Christian Schools serves about 1,900 students and has grown enrollment by 20% over the past five years, reflecting demand for its academic and experiential programs, including Spanish immersion, outdoor education, and STEM-focused learning. The school has also launched a $22.5 million capital campaign to expand and update facilities while maintaining relatively low debt.

That growth brings new demands, including affordability and staffing, areas where Haverdink’s background may prove useful.

At Calvin University, he led engagement efforts for tens of thousands of alumni and families and managed major fundraising initiatives, including planned giving programs totaling an estimated $150 million. He also spent more than a decade with Dutton Christian School, serving on the board and later as director of finance, where he helped guide enrollment increases and facility projects.

“We’re passionate about Christian education,” Haverdink says. “While it requires real investment from families and our community, the value and impact it has on the lives of students is priceless.”

The Lakeshore caught up with Haverdink to learn more about his background and his vision for the Holland Christian school system. 

The Lakeshore: You come from a multi-generational Holland Christian family, with deep personal ties to the school community. How has that history shaped who you are today, and how will it influence the way you lead Holland Christian Schools? 

Jeff Haverdink: I was fortunate to grow up in a close-knit, wonderful extended family. Family ties, traditions, and history have always meant a lot to me. I know the sacrifices my parents and grandparents made to send their children to Holland Christian and the wonderful educational experience we all received here. To me, Holland Christian is more than just a school; it’s a part of our family and the values that influenced each of us to become the people we are today. But it’s not just my family that has this story; there are countless other families in the area who also have deep connections to Holland Christian. As I step into this role, Holland Christian will be celebrating its 125th anniversary, and I feel the responsibility to help ensure this amazing gift of a Christian education is available for generations to come. I see myself and all my terrific new colleagues as stewards of an incredible legacy of an outstanding educational experience, and we have the privilege of ensuring that legacy endures for those who follow. 

TL: Holland Christian has seen 20% enrollment growth over the past five years, carries minimal debt, and is advancing a major capital campaign, while your experience with tuition assistance and fundraising has given you insight into the financial realities families face. How do you plan to build on this strong momentum while expanding access and keeping Christian education affordable for more families?

JH: Holland Christian has certainly been blessed with wonderful enrollment growth from families who see the value of a Christian education and the community in which that education is nurtured. Holland Christian already offers several amazing educational programs that parents are eager to provide for their children. And going forward, I see Holland Christian continuing to evaluate and offer new educational and co-curricular programs that equip students to transform the world for Christ, no matter where God calls our students after graduation. 

Over the years, I’ve had difficult conversations with families, and I know how hard it is for a lot of parents to make Christian education a reality for their children. For many families, it can be a real sacrifice. Holland Christian is blessed with incredible financial support from people who want to help families provide a Christian education for their children. This critical tuition support is a beautiful testimony of the HC community, which helps each other in times of need. In fact, I know of families who valued the tuition support they received in the past so much that later in life, when they had the means, they made gifts to help the next generation of parents.

TL: You’ve emphasized that teachers are central to the impact of Christian education. What practical steps will you take to support and retain teachers so they can continue to thrive in their work?

JH: It is no secret that being a teacher at any school today is a calling, and we know there are fewer young men and women going into this noble profession. As a school, we need to foster environments in which teachers are supported and deeply valued for the impact they make in their students’ lives. Beyond fostering a supportive work culture, our teachers and staff deserve competitive wages and benefits packages to care for their own families. I also believe it’s important to help teachers grow in their careers and help foster their own sense of learning and growth within their profession.

TL: At Calvin University, you led engagement efforts for a large global alumni network. How do you envision strengthening alumni and community connections to support Holland Christian’s mission? 

JH: It was always a treat for me to meet Holland Christian graduates within the worldwide Calvin community. I love building relationships with people, especially when many different communities connect. I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the Holland Christian community this past week; it’s made me even more excited to get started in this role. I can’t wait to start meeting Holland Christian alumni locally and more broadly in the future to build new relationships. I have found longstanding relationships to be invaluable—you never know who you might run across in the future, or how prior relationships may help in some fashion down the road. Beyond meeting Holland Christian grads, I’m eager to build relationships with others in various capacities within the Holland Community. I look forward to hearing from those in the community about how they’ve intersected with Holland Christian, and, in turn, how we might work well together in the future. Holland is a special place, and it’s an honor for me to come back in this role and be a part of this wonderful community. 

TL: You’re stepping into this role during a period of transition and opportunity for the school. What does long-term success look like for Holland Christian under your leadership, and how will you work toward that vision?

JH: Long-term success looks like a lengthy period of steady growth in enrollment, learning outcomes, philanthropic support, and a positive and enthusiastic school community. None of those goals happens overnight. They take time, determined progress, support from parents and the community, and focused dedication to the mission of the school. My hope is to build longstanding and meaningful relationships with a wide variety of people as we work side by side each day. My prayer is that God may bless my efforts and the collective efforts of all of us at Holland Christian to continue equipping our students’ minds and nurturing their hearts so they may transform the world for Christ wherever they are called.