The Anchor School

It’s that season again! Backpacks, pencils, notebooks, and notepads are everywhere. Each store is filled with anything one might need for going back to school. 

School has been an important part of Holland, Michigan from its earliest years. When Reverend VanRaalte brought over the first group of Dutch immigrants in 1847, they faced severe challenges. They lost many to disease, learned to weather hard Michigan winters, and built a civilization from the snowy ground up. Despite this heavy load, they still prioritized the creation of a school for their children. In 1851, only four short years after the settlers arrived, Pioneer School was established. It offered an elementary level education to the people of the new settlement. The city’s founder, Albertus VanRaalte said of the school, “This is my anchor of hope for this people in the future.”

Over the years, this school rose up to meet that future and grew to fit the needs of the developing city. It went from a primary school to a secondary school and finally turned into a college. Eventually, it became known as Hope College. Today, Hope College has over 3,400 students enrolled and has been recognized for academic excellence by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and many others. One of the first buildings to house Pioneer School is still part of the Hope College campus. It is now a dormitory called Van Vleck Hall. It was built in 1858 and is the third oldest building in Holland. 

Hope College is not only centrally located in the downtown area, it is also a central part of Holland’s thriving community. The college draws students from all over the country and beyond. These students bring their unique talents and perspectives which shape the Holland of the future. In return, Holland offers the students a thriving community of active businesses where they can gain experience or make a life-career. The city is also full of excellent and wonderful places for students to connect, relax, and have fun. Many Hope College students come to love the city and want to make it their home after graduating. The Hope College website boasts that over 6,000 Hope alumni live in the Holland area. When parents come to visit the college, they too have fallen in love with Holland. Some return to the city for frequent vacations, long after their children have finished school. This also boosts the city’s revenue and enables it to keep growing. 

The past, present, and future of Holland are interwoven with this long-lasting school. As fall weather and school year routine kick back in, it’s interesting to consider what things we invest in today will still be making an impact in the distant years to come.