Tom DeJonge

Leadership Journey: The Top 10 Things I’ve Learned Along the Way

Bio for Tom DeJonge

Tom worked for 45 years in public and private PS-12 schools throughout West Michigan before retiring in 2024. Most recently, he served as Superintendent of Grand Rapids Christian Schools, a private, faith-based school system that enrolls 2,350 students in Preschool – 12th Grade on five (5) campuses located throughout the Grand Rapids community. He held that position from 2004 to 2024.  

Prior to serving as GRCS’ Superintendent, he served for 25 years in building-level and central administrative and teaching positions in public schools located throughout West Michigan, including serving two years as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, three years as Director of Community and Human Relations, 13 years as an elementary principal, and seven years as an elementary special education and early childhood classroom teacher.

Under his leadership as superintendent, Grand Rapids Christian Schools:

• raised and invested more than $70 million in new capital construction and facility renovations at each of the district’s five campuses
• eliminated nearly $23 million in operational debt
• increased the Grand Rapids Christian School Foundation from $4 million to more than $20 million
• doubled the Schools’ annual fund, which provides resources for financial aid and educational programs, to nearly $1.7 million per year
• revised Grand Rapids Christian Schools’ Articles of Incorporation, governing bylaws, governance structures, and policy handbook

In addition to his service in K-12 schools, Tom has also worked as an adjunct Senior Consultant with Christian School Management (CSM) since its founding in 2017, serving as the CSM Board Chair since that time as well. He has engaged with many Christian schools across the nation in strategic planning / strategic financial management, leadership transition, school mergers, Board training. Currently, Tom serves as Board Chair of the Grand Rapids Promise Zone, which enables students who graduate from one of 25 high schools located in the city of Grand Rapids to obtain their Associate’s Degree at Grand Rapids Community College at no cost. And, beginning in Fall 2026, the Promise Zone will annually extend up to $7,500 to eligible students who’ve earned their Associate’s Degree to complete their four year college degree at either GVSU or FSU. 
 
Tom resides in Rockford, Michigan with his wife, Jacquie. He has two adult children: Leah DeJonge Rinker, a teacher at Wheaton Academy, a faith-based high school located in suburban Chicago; and Austin DeJonge, a Creative Director at FanDuel in New York City. Each of Tom’s children are married, and Jacquie and he enjoy three granddaughters: Eloise, Josephine, and Penelope.