Frequently Asked Questions

Is your family checking out VCS for possible enrollment next year?  We invite you to attend our Admissions Tours and Preview Events to find out more.  We’ve also set up this page with answers and links to some information you’ll find especially helpful. Please call Dianne Grasmeyer, Admissions Coordinator at 562/860-0556 or Vicki Gelberg, Director of Community Advancement to discuss specific questions you have.

How do I know if Valley Christian Schools is the right place for our family?
How do VCHS students test scores compare to other schools?
Are there resources available to the parents to monitor the child’s progress, or just report cards?
What kind of advanced placement programs are available at VCHS?
What percentage of high school seniors attend college?
What is tuition cost?
What are school hours?
Are Valley Christian Schools accredited?
What are the size of classes?
Is a Bus system available?
What Athletic teams available? Are they included in the tuition, or are they extra?
What choir, worship, or band classes are available?
Are drama classes offered?
Is chapel scheduled regularly, or just Bible classes?
Can parents attend chapel?
Are parent volunteers allowed on campus?
What are the requirements of the family’s church attendance, along with the children’s requirements?
What Church doctrine is taught?
Do the teachers have web sites available for students to access homework, test schedules, and other information?
How how does Valley Christian Schools communicate with families?
Are uniforms required?
What kind of college scholarship “help” is available?
What guidance is provided to help students be prepared for college?


How do I know if  Valley Christian Schools is the right place for our family? Top
First, consider our mission.
Our Commitment: In the light of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of God’s word, we will educate each unique student in cooperation with the Christian community so that he or she is equipped and inspired to make a difference for Jesus Christ in the world.

If you are a Christian family, have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and believe in the value of investing in a thorough education taught from a Biblical Worldview; we invite you to apply for admission. If you’d like to discuss your educational intent or have questions, please contact Vicki Gelberg, Director of Admissions at 562/860-0556.

How do VCHS students test scores compare to other schools? Top
Our students have been out-performing area Christian and public schools, even those with accelerated programs. Two of the most important measurable scores at the high school level are the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Advance Placement (AP) tests. Over the past 4 years, the average VCHS student’s SAT scores have exceeded the national average by 23 points in reading and 16 points in math, and exceeded the state average by 28 points in reading and 15 points in math. When comparing average SAT scores with area public schools, VCS ranks extremely high.  Check out additional information and charts.

Are there resources available to the parents to monitor the child’s progress, or just report cards? Top
PowerSchool, a web-based student information system is used for grades 5- 12.  This system allows parents real-time access to their student’s grades. It is beneficial to parents, teachers, administrators, and to the students who can track their own progress. As soon as any information is added or changed it’s available to students and parents. When teachers enter grades and attendance information for their class, that same data is immediately available.

What kind of advanced placement programs are available at VCHS? Top
Advanced Placement and Honor courses are open to students of high motivation and/or proven ability who wish to study a subject in greater depth.  VCHS offers AP classes in Art History, Biology, Calculus, English, Government, Spanish, U.S. History, and World History.  In addition, Honors classes are available for English 1 & 2, Spanish 3 & 4, Algebra 2, Advanced Math and Chemistry. The Course Catalog is available online. Beginning in the sophomore year, students may register for AP courses.

What percentage of high school seniors attend college? Top
Approximately 96% of our students go on to further education. Of the 2006 graduating class, 11% went to top tier national universities as rated by U.S. News & World Report.  See this senior destination chart which shows where our graduates are continuing their education.

What is tuition cost? Top
This tuition schedule chart shows tuition rates.  These rates are adjusted each year. Payments may be made over 10 months, and payments pre-paid for the entire year prior to the end of June for the school year beginning the next fall are discounted.

What are school hours? Top
We currently have 174 instructional days at VCS and our school day is from 8:15 a.m. until 2:45 p.m.

Are Valley Christian Schools accredited? Top
VCS is accredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and a member of Christian Schools International (CSI) and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).  WASC is a regional association that accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States.

What are the size of classes? Top
There are typically 22 to 28 students per class with faculty to student ratios of: Elementary 1 to 14; Middle School 1 to 12; High School 1 to 16

Is a Bus system available? Top
Bussing is available both to and from school for a yearly fee. The fee for 2009-2010 is $300 per child or $500 per family. Although bus routes change each year, you may come to any of our offices to check for the current stop nearest your home.

What Athletic teams available? Are they included in the tuition, or are they extra? Top
A variety of high school and middle school sports are available.  High School: Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Gymnastics, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming/Diving, Tennis, Track, and Volleyball. Middle School: Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Cross Country, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball, Track and Volleyball. Athletics fees at the High School for 2009-2010 are $125 (football is an additional $800 per year) and Middle School athletic fees vary based on the sport. Check out VCHS Athletics for additional information, listings of our history of team championships and our list of our athletes who have received college athletic scholarships as a result of their outstanding performance at Valley Christian High School.

What choir, worship, or band classes are available? Top
Instruction in music and the opportunity to join various choirs and bands are offered at all three campuses.
Elementary School students Kindergarten through 4th grade attend two music classes each week taught by our music teacher and participate in one musical performance. In addition, 5th and 6th grade students may participate in choir, band or orchestra.
Middle School students may participate in band, praise band, jazz band, handbells, orchestra, women’s ensemble, or mixed choir.
High School students may participate in band, jazz band, praise band, handbell choir, orchestra, concert choir, madrigal singers, women’s ensemble, or men’s chorus.

Are drama classes offered? Top
Drama 1 and 2 are offered at the high school and Creative Drama is offered at the middle school. For a complete high school course listing, check out our VCHS Course Catalog. A list of middle school exploratory classes is also available.

Is chapel scheduled regularly, or just Bible classes? Top
In addition to attending Bible classes, students at each of our campuses attend chapels weekly. As we educate our students in a broad variety of subjects, we also seek to educate them in worship. Mr. Dan Noteboom is our Worship Coordinator.  He serves all three campuses as Worship Leader, using his gifts to enhance weekly chapels and encourage a heart of worship in our students. He works with chapel planners to facilitate: training students musically and spiritually, increasing enthusiasm and appreciation for worship through music, providing consistent quality worship leadership, and coordinating creative arts in worship.  We have a variety of chapel speakers, ranging from local youth pastors and children's pastors to professional drama teams.

Can parents attend chapel? Top
Parents are welcome to attend chapels which are usually held on Friday mornings at the elementary school, on Wednesday just before lunch at the middle school, and Wednesday mornings at the high school.  Please check the schedule prior to attending, and sign-in at the campus office before joining in worship at a chapel.

Are parent volunteers allowed on campus? Top
Valley Christian Schools was founded on the concept of parental involvement. Our schools are an extension of Christian family life, and we take seriously our obligation to be partners with parents in providing the best possible education for our students. From kindergarten to high school graduation, VCS is dedicated to providing tools and opportunities for every student to his or her highest potential: academically, socially, and spiritually. As partners, VCS encourages all parents to become involved in their child's education through participation in a number of service groups and other opportunities made available throughout the year. In addition, ten Parent Service Hours are required of all families.  A $250 buy out option is available.

What are the requirements of the family’s church attendance, along with the children’s requirements? Top
Students and families who are members actively and consistently involved in a Christian church are eligible for enrollment. Admission is based upon a written application, an interview with the campus principal and the admissions committee, and the recommendation of the pastor of the applicant's church.

What Church doctrine is taught?Top
Our roots are planted in the Bible and grow out of the Protestant Reformation. Presently, VCS families represent over 250 Christian churches. Classes are taught from a Reformed perspective, which enables our students to understand God’s intent in whatever they study, the effects of sin, and how God has brought restoration and expects us to be agents of His restoration. High school students take a Reformed Doctrine class, which provides an overview of Christianity's major doctrines as understood by Reformed theology and an examination of major cult movements in America.

Do the teachers have web sites available for students to access homework, test schedules, and other information? Top
Each teacher has a website.  To find a specific teachers page, access the Staff Directory .

How how does Valley Christian Schools communicate with families? Top
In the elementary grades, communications from teachers are sent home each week, and also posted on the teacher’s individual webpage.
The Crusader Weekly newsletter is sent home with the youngest student in each family on each Monday school is in session.  Families may sign up to receive this newsletter via e-mail. The Crusader Connection magazine is mailed 4 times per year. The News section of the website is updated regularly to highlight various events.

Are uniforms required? Top
Uniforms are required for all Elementary School, Middle School, and High School students.  Our uniform provider is True Grits.  Uniforms may be purchased on-line, over the phone or in the store located in Anaheim.  In addition, a used uniform sale is held at the end of each school year where parents have the opportunity to sell outgrown uniforms to other parents.

What kind of college scholarship “help” is available? Top
The scholarship page of our Counseling Department website is a great resource for scholarships available on local, state and national levels. Additionally, there are links to web sites that serve as scholarship clearinghouses.

What guidance is provided to help students be prepared for college? Top
The high school counselors meet with every student each year to evaluate the student’s growth academically, socially and spiritually.  This includes assisting the students in selecting classes that maximize their ability to gain admittance to their college of choice.  Whether a student wants to continue their education at a JC, CSU, UC, Christian College or an Ivy League University, our curriculum and instruction enables that.