If a family commits to Vanderbilt for their children’s education, Groggel said he and the school staff will do everything in their power to help them be college-ready. That prospect can sometimes be daunting for struggling students who enter school below grade-level, but the opportunities for growth are endless. No matter a student’s aptitude, at Vanderbilt they will have access to a challenging curriculum and academic support.
“We have students who come in three grade levels below,” he said. “It’s likely that they will leave at the end of their time here with an opportunity to go into high school and be successful and if they choose higher education.”
Groggel has been principal at Vanderbilt for nearly 10 years and has helped it become the top-ranked school in Holland. He previously taught fourth grade at another National Heritage Academies (NHA®) school, Vista Charter Academy, before becoming a dean at Vanderbilt.
Working with at-risk students was something Groggel sought when he decided to become a teacher, and he has found his place at Vanderbilt, a school that has become his home over the years.
“It’s really nice staying in the same spot for a long time because then you get to really know the families,” he said, adding he also loves the staff who all come together to support student learning.
Groggel enjoys the system building involved in being a principal, such as scheduling and the ability to impact the entire school. It allows him to satisfy the needs of both teachers and parents. Leading the school gives him the ability to empathize with the teachers whose spot he knows all too well. He also can answer the call from parents who are looking for a school that challenges their children academically and helps guide them to make good choices throughout their lives.
“I try to make sure that as the principal I always can also put myself in their shoes and know what it was like to teach,” he said. “I love engaging with our families at Vanderbilt. I like to see that parent trust us and want their kids to be here.”
Quick Facts:
- He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University.
- He enjoys vacationing with his family and is active with his church.
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About Vanderbilt Charter Academy
Vanderbilt Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Holland, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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