Join us this September on a bus trip to Michigan to explore innovative approaches to Christian education, gain fresh perspectives, and bring new inspiration back to your school.

In collaboration with our friends at Christian Schools International, Edvance warmly invites school leaders and their leadership teams on this unique learning excursion to explore the vision, culture, and practices of diverse Christian schools. Structured site visits will be held at various Christian schools around West Michigan. Although the context and culture are different, Edvance school leaders will be invited to stretch their educational imaginations while wisely discerning areas for application and inspiration in their own school communities.

Read on for more information about the schedule, host schools, transportation, registration, and more. Space is limited so don't delay - secure your spot on the bus!

Schedule

Wednesday, September 24th

AM: Coach buses leave from Eastern and Western Ontario
4:00 PM: Arrive in Grand Rapids, Michigan and check into hotel
6:00 PM: Dinner and Opening Circle at South Christian High School

Thursday, September 25th

8:15 AM: School Site Visit #1
11:30 AM: Lunch
12:45 PM: School Site Visit #2
6:00 PM: Dinner on your own

Friday, September 26th

8:15 AM: School Site Visit #3
11:30 AM: Lunch
12:45 PM: Plenary Session led by Edvance and Christian Schools International
6:00 PM: Dinner and Friday Football Game at Eagle Stadium - Grand Rapids Christian vs Forest Hills Eastern (optional)

Saturday, September 27th

AM: Coach buses depart from Michigan back to Ontario

Thank you to Christian Education Benefit Solutions for sponsoring the Leadership and Learning Michigan Trip! Christian Education Benefit Solutions (CEB Solutions) provides health and pension products and services, designed specifically by and for the Canadian Christian education community. Learn more.

Learning Site Locations

During the trip, you'll visit three schools. At each school visit, you'll spend half of the day immersing yourself in the culture and ethos of the school. These structured site visits may include activities such as a guided tour, student panel, teacher panel, administrative staff Q&A, and guided reflections led by the Edvance and CSI teams. Explore the different learning site locations below.

South Christian High School (9-12)

Teaching for Transformation network members, vocational-technical education, brand new 9-12 facilities, academic inclusion

Holland Christian Schools (PK-12)

Digital learning integration, elementary Forest School, education innovation, vocational-technical education, inclusion models, innovative facilities, large, multi-site

Potter's House Christian Schools (PK-12)

Intentionally diverse, innovative facilities, intentional alternative and inclusive tuition model, urban, diverse economic and ethnic student backgrounds

Fremont Christian School (PK-12)

Teaching for Transformation network members, outdoor education, rural setting, community integration

Unity Christian High School (9-12)

Innovative facilities, cell phone free, vocational-technical education

Ada Christian School (PK-8)

Outdoor education, innovative facilities

Grand Rapids Christian Schools (PK-12)

Large, multi-campus, intentionally diverse, some multi-age classrooms

Muskegon Christian School (PK-6)

Teaching for Transformation network members, intentionally urban and diverse, outdoor education

Zeeland Christian School (PK-8)

Intentional academic inclusion model, multi-language immersion, innovative facilities

Thank you to Christian Schools International for arranging our learning site locations for the Leadership and Learning Michigan Trip!

Who Should Join This Trip?

This trip is designed for school leaders. To fully embrace the rich learning and collaborative opportunities it offers, we encourage you to consider including additional team members, such as vice-principals, learning coordinators, or lead educators. Attending as a team allows for reflection, dialogue, and actionable planning to bring back to your school. School leaders are also welcome to attend on their own and will still find this experience impactful for their leadership journey.

Transportation

Registrants will travel to Michigan on a coach bus, included with your registration fee. The buses will depart in the morning on Wednesday, September 24th with pickup locations in Eastern and Western Ontario. The coach buses will depart Michigan in the morning on Saturday, September 27th with arrival back in Ontario that afternoon. Exact pickup locations will be announced once attendees are finalized.

Registration

Are you interested in joining?

Rates for Edvance Affiliate Schools:

Early Bird Rate (until March 31st) = $350 for the first person attending from your school, $300 for each additional person attending from your school; plus HST

Regular Rate = $400 for the first person attending from your school, $350 for each additional person attending from your school; plus HST

Your registration fee will cover transportation to and from Michigan, transportation to the school tours, and the following meals:

Dinner on Wednesday, September 24
Lunch on Thursday, September 25
Lunch and Dinner on Friday, September 26
Lunch on Saturday, September 27

Also - breakfast is included for attendees staying at the Hyatt Grand Rapids South.

Please note that the fee does not include hotel accommodations—see below for special rates. A limited number of travel bursaries are available through the Edvance Fund Program Grant for school leaders who require financial assistance. To apply, please contact Sarah Burt at sarah.burt@edvance.ca.

Cancellation Policy: Please note that there will be no refunds for cancellations received after August 24, 2025. Substitutions will be allowed.

Hotel

Stay at the Hyatt Place Grand Rapids - South

The Hyatt Place in Grand Rapids South will serve as our home base for the trip, with buses departing from this location each day.

Address: 2150 Metro Ln SW, Wyoming, MI 49519, United States, (616) 724 1234

We’ve secured a discounted group rate (code = G-EDVA) of $145.00 USD for king rooms or $155.00 USD for queen/queen rooms (rates based on single/double occupancy and don’t include state & local taxes of 15%). A complimentary breakfast is included.

Be sure to reserve your spot in the Edvance room block to take advantage of this rate—availability is limited. Select your check in = Sept 24; departure = Sept 27

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