information about route

Route is a homeschool extension program in Holland for high school youth that focuses on life skills, character building, and a broad sample of learning of trades. Those enrolled in the program will have time in the classroom, time working on projects, and time on-site at a Habitat for Humanity house built in the Holland area. Route will have skilled instructors and advisors who care deeply about character development and at the same time want to expose high school aged youth to all the trades needed to build a new home. We believe that this Christian-based learning program will equip young people to learn a vast array of new skills, but also empower them to be confident leaders as they approach adulthood. 

We believe that there is more than one route for young people. Not everyone needs to attend four years of college to be a productive, competent adult. This program will be taught by adults who are committed to your high-school aged child and will mentor them in many areas throughout the year.

The classes currently being offered are:

Route Construction 1 (Registration for Fall 2025 is still currently open - click here): This class runs from October-early March. There is a Tuesday and Wednesday option for this class - both are held from 9am-3pm. In this class, students will be introduced to a variety of trades through visiting businesses and talking with business owners, being taught by experts, working on projects, and serving at local Habitat For Humanity build sites. Students will also be taught to safely use a variety of hand and power tools under the supervision of knowledgable adults. Route will encourage all students to participate in order to empower each young person and to improve confidence. Students 15 and up will be given first priority. We may accept 14 year olds if there is room available. Cost - $1500

Route Construction 2 (Registration for Fall 2025 will only be open to current Route 1 students): This class meets on Mondays from 9am-3pm from late September-early March. This class is for second year Route students (some exceptions may apply). Route 2 will focus on developing more complex skills and knowledge in a variety of trades, provide more opportunities for hands-on work, as well as helping students focus more on a specific area of concentration and providing additional experiences in those areas. Cost - $1500

Route Automotive (Registration for the Spring and Fall classes will open Friday, March 21 at 9am): This class will be 10 weeks and meets on Tuesdays from 1-4pm for our Spring class as well as the Fall class. The Spring class will meet from April 8 - June 10. For the fall, this class will meet from early October - early December with a week off for the week of Thanksgiving. We will also have a winter class on Wednesdays from 1-4pm that will meet from early January - early March. It involves teaching students basic to moderately complex (depending on the groups experience level) skills related to vehicle maintenance, body repair, and small engine repair. Classes will be held at local mechanic shops as well as at Route. 16 year olds and up will receive first priority for this class. If there are open spots remaining, we will accept 15 year olds. A minimum number of students must be reached to offer this class. Cost - $750

More classes to come!

Classes, projects, and the on-site learning will be led by local Christian business leaders, retirees with building experience, and others that have a passion for working with young adults. Announcements will be made soon on who some of these leaders are.

Instruction and activities will typically take place at the following location:

Family Church - Redwood Campus

10717 Adams St.

Holland, MI 49423

We also plan to to visit local businesses and serve at a local Habitat worksite.

This program is for homeschooled students ages 15 and up. We may take some 14 year olds if there is room available.

This program does include physical labor. Any student that is registered should have the ability to handle construction-related work. Students should also have the ability to work independently. We do not have the resources to offer one-to-one training from our instructors. Please take this into consideration before registering or feel free to contact us with further questions.

Route 1 - Construction 2025-26: $1500

Route 2 - Construction 2025-26: $1500

Route Automotive 2025: $750

A deposit of $250 will be due upon enrollment to save a spot. If not accepted to the program or put on the waitlist, the deposit will be returned.

For the construction classes, $750 will be due by September 1 and $500 will be due by December 1.

Yes! We are willing to work with the homeschool partnerships to help more homeschool families be able to afford tuition. Please contact us about your specific partnership prior to signing up.

We do potentially have some scholarships available. Please contact us through the website or email info@adifferentroute.org to let us know if you would require this for you or your children to attend.

Please keep in mind that this program, especially just starting out, will obviously not have the resources that places like the Tech Center are able to offer. However, what we are able to offer is that the students will learn a variety of skills in a Christian environment and we will have a strong focus on character and how to be well-rounded people. We also see this as more of a community learning environment that is very flexible to be able to move in whatever direction God is calling us. We welcome anyone that has a passion for teaching youth to come and share your skills. Please visit the "Get Involved" tab to let us know!

The mission of the program is for youth to genuinely learn skills, grow their character, create connections, and serve God and others. With the many business partners that we are connecting with, our goal would be for these businesses to know that a student that came through the Route program is prepared and qualified for employment in a trade. 

We understand that credits are important as well and are willing to help with this, if needed. Proof of attendance can be provided to help assist in using the program towards high school credit hours. 

We do not plan to have any assigned homework and do not plan to have much, if any, "book work". Our goal is to spend as much time as possible learning in a hands-on style by working on projects and helping with building homes. 

Our intention is to keep the groups very small so that each student can receive individualized attention and training. Our goal is to have an adult for each group of 4 students.

Please feel free to email us at info@adifferentroute.org or fill out the form in the "Contact Us" page.