House System
The mission of West Catholic is to form disciples of Christ through a dynamic, excellence-driven, Catholic education. The House System is tasked with relational development among students and staff through a persistent experience of Christian community. Recognizing the need for clear purpose to the House System in advancing our mission, the House System focuses particularly on excellence in Prayer, Presence and Persistent Growth.
Our Houses
St. Josephine Bakhita
St. Padre Pio
Bl. Miguel Pro
St. Catherine of Siena
What is the House System?
The Houses System is a way to organize students into smaller, close-knit groups that prioritize relational development and a persistent experience of Christian community. At West Catholic, the House System allows for more personal connections between students of all grade levels and dedicated mentors.
When students first come to West, they are assigned to one of our four Houses (Bakhita, Pio, Pro or Siena). Each House is composed of seven mentor groups led by a teacher or staff member and supported by student leadership. All Houses have a cross-section of the student body and a mentor-to-student ratio of approximately 1:16.
With this alternative alignment for student engagement, there is increased peer-to-peer mentoring and leadership development opportunities. The House System approach also allows House deans and staff mentors to guide a student through the full four years of high school, providing continuity, resources and accompaniment through the student’s WC journey of education and faith. West Catholic is more than just a high school. One of our goals is to promote the development of the whole person, and the House System structure helps accomplish this.
Guiding Principals
PRAYER
A disciple of Christ “prays unceasingly” and orders his or her whole life, work and activities toward God.
PRESENCE
A disciple helps others be/feel known and loved, having been listened to and cared for with great attention and joy; the presence of a disciple is a powerful witness to the love of the Father.
PERSISTENT GROWTH
A disciple rests only at the perfection of holiness, the excellence of his or her state in life and conditions of work, and the excellence of persistent commitment to forgiveness, reconciliation and growth.
FAQs
Is West Catholic the first school to introduce a house system?
West Catholic is among the first schools in the West Michigan area to debut a house system. To advance our mission, WC leaders visited and researched the house systems of private schools around the country, examining them for best practices. The West Catholic House System, however, is unique to WC in order to meet the particular needs of our students.
What is the staff leadership for the House System?
The House System is led by a group of deans, who do not mentor an individual group or House but oversee the House System as a whole, supporting mentors and students in living out the House System’s guiding principles. The deans are:
- Mr. Joe Phelan
- Mr. Joe Gietzen
- Mr. Brett Lynch
- Mrs. Gillian Palmer
Are there opportunities for student leadership?
West Catholic High School values the development of the whole person. In this development, both leading and being led contribute significantly. The House System allows students many opportunities to lead their peers and shape the Catholic community of the school though a variety of roles.
How often do mentor groups meet?
The mentor groups in each of our Houses meet several times each week. Meetings vary in length from short informational meetups to longer service-oriented gatherings. House meetings occur somewhat regularly but not as frequently as mentor groups.
Can students pick their House?
Students are assigned to Houses on the basis of maintaining a cross-section of the student body in each House. Siblings are assigned to the same House, but not the same mentor group, for family continuity.
Is there a correlation between the House System and academic performance?
Studies show that academic performance is positively impacted when there’s an atmosphere of care and connection. With the West Catholic House System, student care and connectedness is intentionally amplified, especially by the persistent presence of the staff mentor for all four years of a student’s WC career. The House System addresses students’ social and emotional learning through the lens of our mission to form disciples of Christ. These so-called “soft skills,” like cooperation and empathy, while vital for both career success and excellence in responding to one’s vocation from God, are often lacking in our tech-focused world. The House System model is designed to support students in their integral development.
Does WC still have class (freshmen, sophomore, etc.) identity with the House System?
Yes! Class-level camaraderie is an important part of high school. Students still identify with their classmates in their graduating class. The West Catholic House System just provides additional opportunities to get to know and learn from students in other grades. Placement in a House isn’t a replacement for one’s grade level – it’s a bonus! Within the House structure, students are able to interact with a diverse cross-section of the student body.
House Deans
Joe Phelan
House Dean
joephelan@grwestcatholic.org
Joe Gietzen
House Dean
joegietzen@grwestcatholic.org
Brett Lynch
House Dean
brettlynch@grwestcatholic.org
Gillian Plamer
House Dean
gillianpalmer@grwestcatholic.org