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Corpus Christi Catholic School and Center opened its doors in September
of 1999. The existence of this facility is the result of cooperation
among the people of the Holland/Zeeland Catholic Community, which
includes the the parishes of Our Lady of the Lake and St. Francis De
Sales. Corpus Christi was completed a year ahead of the projected
opening date of 2000. The funding initiative, Mission and Ministry
2000, provided funds for building the Corpus Catholic School and
Center, as well as the rebuilding and expansion of St. Francis de Sales
and Our Lady of the Lake parishes.
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The
main entrance to Corpus Christi is from the large parking lot on Quincy
Street. All students (with the exception of Preschoolers) and all
visitors are requested to enter the school through our main
doors, on the west side of the building.
Our facility is structured in somewhat of a windmill shape, helping to
maintain designated educational areas such as the computer lab, the
Spanish classroom, the science lab, band and choir rooms, and the
gymnasium.
The "heart" of Corpus Christi is our Chapel...it is in the center of
the building. Students circle its exterior walls (and under the
inspirational art of the Stations of the Cross on those walls) several
times during their school day. |
The
windmill shape of the school allows for delliberate groupings of
classrooms for our students. This provides separate learning
environments for preschool through lower elementary students, upper
elementary students, and our middle school. Most daily classroom
activities take place in their "home" wing, but by travelling around
the school for "specials" such as computer, Spanish, library,
band/music, and physical education (as well as lunch), students also
have frequent opportunities for a change of scenery and to greet
their siblings in the hallway as they exchange classes.
Corpus Christi 's east entrance is used exclusively for preschool
families. It provides a close and low-traffic area for escorting
our youngest students to their classroom. The preschool
playground to the north of this entrance is used exclusively for
preschoolers and occasionally Kindergarteners. |
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The Gymnasium provides facilities for physical education, a
well-equipped kitchen for the hot lunch program, a stage.
and locker rooms with
showers. School plays, concerts, large-group Masses, and other
events as well as athletic competitions take place here. These
facilities are also used
by community groups and our
Faith Formation programs. |
D-wing
is also known as the Faith Forum. Fewer classrooms are available
in this wing as its main purpose is to provide a location for
medium-sized group activities such as meetings, retreats, and smaller
partial-school assemblies. The Forum houses a small kitchenette
to facilitate hospitality for these events.
Just outside of D-wing's exit, sits our main playground. Corpus
Christi's Home and School Association has been the primary sponsor in
its initial installation and subsequent improvements since the school
opened in 1999. A section of the playground equipment doubles as
a fitness circuit for students to work out independently, or as part of
the physical wellness progream.
Beyond the playground, are the baseball diamond and the soccer field.
There is also a small wetlands/pond section between the western
edge of the parking lot and the school's property line where students,
staff, family and visitors can enjoy watching the wildlife, as well as
providing an "outdoor classroom" for environmental studies for CCCS
students. |
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