Blog
What Is It Like to Shadow
at NorthPointe Christian Schools?
Considering a new middle or high school in Grand Rapids, Michigan? Discover what to expect during a student shadow day at NorthPointe Christian Schools, from classroom visits and meeting new friends to lunch, dress code, and student life.
Switching schools is a big decision. Whether you’re entering middle school, preparing for high school, or considering transferring from another school, it’s natural to have questions.
Will I make friends? What are the teachers like? Where will I sit at lunch? Will I feel like I belong?
At NorthPointe Christian Schools (NPC) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we believe the best way to answer those questions is to experience a school day for yourself.
That’s why NorthPointe Christian Schools offers Middle & High School Preview Days three times each year, giving prospective students an opportunity to shadow a current student, attend classes, meet teachers, and experience our Christ-centered school community firsthand.
A Preview Day helps families explore whether NorthPointe Christian is the right educational fit while giving students a chance to experience what it means to be a Mustang.
What Is a Student Shadow Day at NorthPointe Christian Schools?
A student shadow day at NorthPointe Christian Schools is an immersive school visit where prospective middle and high school students are paired with a current NPC student and experience a typical school day together.
Unlike a traditional school tour, a shadow day allows visiting students to participate in the everyday rhythms of school life.
From walking the hallways and attending classes to meeting classmates and eating lunch together, visiting students get a firsthand look at the academic environment, student culture, and Christian community at NorthPointe Christian.
The purpose of Preview Day is simple: Help students feel more comfortable, answer their questions, and give families the information they need to make a confident school decision.
At NPC, we believe every student is known, loved, and valued for who God created them to be. Preview Day offers prospective students an opportunity to experience that commitment in action.
What Should Students Expect During a NorthPointe Christian Preview Day?
During Preview Day, prospective students are matched with a current NPC student host who guides them through the school day.
Student visitors can expect to:
- Attend middle or high school classes alongside their host.
- Meet teachers and experience NPC’s learning environment.
- Walk the hallways and explore school facilities.
- Meet other students and begin building friendships.
- Enjoy a complimentary school lunch.
- Ask questions about classes, athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular opportunities.
- Experience what everyday student life looks like at a Christian school.
Rather than simply hearing about NorthPointe Christian, students have the opportunity to see how faith, academics, and relationships come together throughout the school day.
Register Today for Preview Day
Frequently Asked Questions About Shadowing at NorthPointe Christian Schools
Do I need to know someone at NorthPointe Christian to participate in Preview Day?
No. Students do not need to know anyone at NorthPointe Christian Schools before attending a Preview Day.
When a parent registers their child, they’ll provide information about the student’s interests and preferences. NPC’s Admissions team works with school faculty to match each visiting student with a current student host who shares similar interests or classes.
Our student hosts volunteer because they enjoy welcoming prospective students and showing them what makes their school special.
Your host will introduce you to classmates, help you navigate the school, and make sure you have someone to sit with during lunch.
You may arrive not knowing anyone, but our hope is that you’ll leave having made a few new friends!
What will I do during my shadow day?
During a NorthPointe Christian shadow day, you’ll follow your student host’s regular class schedule and experience a typical school day including chapel.
Your host will help you find classrooms, introduce you to teachers and students, and answer questions along the way.
You’re welcome to bring a notebook and pen to take notes or doodle during classes. We encourage visiting students to engage in classroom activities when appropriate.
You might even learn something new!
A quick reminder about cell phones: NorthPointe Christian has a no-phone policy during the school day. Visiting students should keep phones silenced and stored in their backpacks. If you need to contact a parent, you can do so at any point in the front office.
Is lunch provided during NorthPointe Christian’s Preview Day?
Yes! NorthPointe Christian Schools provides a complimentary lunch for every student participating in Preview Day.
At the beginning of the day, visiting students receive a lunch voucher to use in the school lunch line. Lunch includes a main entrée and sides, a salad bar is available daily, and water bottles are available for shadow students.
Students who prefer to bring a packed lunch for dietary or personal reasons are welcome to do so as many students bring lunches from home!
And here’s a fun bonus: NPC also provides a special Treat Cart stocked with snacks, granola bars, mints, and fruit throughout the day for visiting students and their hosts.
What should I wear to a NorthPointe Christian shadow day?
Students attending Preview Day should wear comfortable, casual clothing that follows NorthPointe Christian Schools’ dress code. Per our dress code, no crop tops or low cut tops please. Visiting students should keep these guidelines in mind. There’s no need to purchase a special outfit. Come dressed for a normal school day and ready to experience life as a Mustang!
Can I ask questions about sports, clubs, or classes during Preview Day?
Absolutely! Preview Day is an opportunity to explore the aspects of school life that matter most to you. Whether you’re interested in joining an athletic team, participating in fine arts, learning Spanish, or exploring career opportunities, your student host and NPC faculty can help you learn more. We encourage students to ask questions throughout the day and discover how their interests and God-given talents could grow at NorthPointe Christian.
What Do Others Say About Shadowing at NorthPointe Christian?
One of the best ways to understand the Preview Day experience is to hear from someone who has been through it.
“Our children LOVED Preview Day! All the kids were so friendly, even one kid opening the door for us as we walked in. My daughter came home with two girls’ numbers and said it felt like she had been there all year. They both LOVE how much prayer and the Bible are part of every class. It felt like genuine love for the Lord from teachers and students.
— Current NorthPointe Family (and Former Preview Day Participants)
For many families, choosing a school involves more than comparing academic programs or extracurricular activities. It’s also about finding a community where their child can develop meaningful friendships, grow in confidence, and feel supported.
That’s why experiencing an ordinary school day can be such an important part of the decision-making process.
How Do I Register for a NorthPointe Christian Preview Day?
Families interested in experiencing NorthPointe Christian Schools can register for an upcoming Middle & High School Preview Day on our event page:
Register now; Space Limited. →
Experience the NorthPointe Christian Difference for Yourself
Choosing a school is about more than finding the right classes, programs, or extracurricular activities. It’s about finding a place where students can learn, build friendships, discover their gifts, and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
At NorthPointe Christian Schools, our desire is for every student to feel known, loved, and valued.
And while a single school day can’t tell you everything about a school, it can help you imagine what your own experience might look like.
So come walk our halls, meet our teachers, make some new friends, and discover what it means to be a Mustang.
We can’t wait to welcome you! Register Today for Preview Day
