The future is bright for students at West Catholic High School, especially those hoping to pursue a college education from an institution close to home. Through a new direct admission partnership, Aquinas College will now automatically admit all West Catholic students who meet the GPA requirement. The partnership is effective immediately, guaranteeing admission for the fall of 2026. The initiative simplifies the college application process and offers students a straightforward pathway to Aquinas. 

"At West Catholic, our mission is to provide students with a dynamic, excellence-driven Catholic education," said Dr. Jill Wierzbicki, President/CEO of West Catholic. "This new partnership with Aquinas College creates a direct path for our graduates to continue to build upon their strong foundations of faith and learning. We are honored to help pioneer this program, creating opportunities that prepare students for success in college and beyond."

This partnership also offers West Catholic students the advantage of continuing their studies locally. Since both schools are located in Grand Rapids, those accepted into the program have the option to live on campus or commute from home, depending on what best fits their needs. Studying locally gives students access to the city’s rich opportunities, including internships, cultural experiences, service projects and career connections. In fact, according to LinkedIn, Grand Rapids has been named the number one “city on the rise,” in recognition of the region’s “job growth, talent attraction, and economic momentum.” This dynamic job market, combined with the support from Aquinas’ career center, contributes to the college’s 97% placement rate for graduates. 

Closer to the heart, Aquinas offers a natural continuation of their faith-based education within a close-knit community. Rooted in Dominican values, Aquinas encourages students to integrate faith, reason, and service in all aspects of life, building on the same Catholic principles that have guided their learning at West Catholic.  

“We are so excited to welcome even more West Catholic students to our community!” said Brian Matzke ‘97, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “There have been so many students who have transitioned effortlessly from West Catholic to Aquinas and then from Aquinas to be community leaders right here in West Michigan. We look forward to keeping these talented students in Grand Rapids while giving them the academic and spiritual nourishment that will make them the leaders of tomorrow.”