Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

  • 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?
    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?
    What do you do with the California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS)?



    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.

    As a covenantal Christian School, we were founded and continue to base our policies and practices on a Biblical Worldview. Admission to Valley Christian is based on several elements reflecting each family's commitment to that worldview and related practices. If you are a Christian parent, attending church regularly, 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.

    Our governing board policy states that, "At least one parent/guardian must have a clear testimony of personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, is a member or regularly worshipping in a local Christian church and is not participating in practices that would be considered illegal, or considered by the Valley Christian Schools as immoral or inconsistent with a Christian Biblical Worldview."

    If you’d like to discuss your educational intent or have questions, please contact us 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. In 2022, our AP pass rate was 85% and our average score for AP testing was 3.76, whereas the national average was 3.04. In 2012 the average VCHS student’s SAT score exceeded the national average by 108 points, and exceeded the state average by 82 points. 

    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 12 AP courses: Art History, Biology, Calculus, English Literature, English Language, World History, Government, Music Theory, Physics, Spanish, Statistics, and U.S. History. See Results

    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 97% of our students go on to further education. A few choose vocational schools, military, or full-time work. Of the 2016 graduating class: 100% graduated, 28% were accepted to top tier national universities as rated by U.S. News & World Report, 7% chose to attend a UC campus, 35% chose Christian colleges, and students earned a combined total of $952,000 in scholarships, many of which are renewable. For a list of where our graduates are continuing their education, check out our College Acceptances page.

    What is tuition cost?    Top
    Tuition rates are posted here. 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. For inquiries about tuition please contact us at info@vcschools.org

    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
    The average from kindergarten to 12th grade is 22 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. Although bus routes change each year, you may come to any of our offices to check for the current stop nearest your home. More information can be found here.

    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 are $200 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.

    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.  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 Monday 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 Canvas pages.

    The VC Weekly newsletter is sent home via email to each family on each Monday that school is in session. The Crusader magazine is mailed 3 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 Dennis Uniforms located in Yorba LInda. Uniforms may be purchased on-line or over the phone. 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 each student every year to evaluate student growth academically, socially and spiritually. This includes assisting the student in course selection to 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 prepares students for their best next step.

    What do you do with the California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS)?     Top
    As a private school, VCS has the freedom to choose or develop our own curriculum. We meet or exceed state standards at every level. We have the freedom to do so from a Christian perspective. We have done so throughout the history of VCS and are committed to continue. We use highly respected and effective textbooks to support our curriculum.

    Our curriculum is developed from a Reformed Christian perspective. At the same time, we always seek out and use best practices, and so the California Common Core State Standards gives us one more substantial source. To be sure, it helps identify the minimum standards, but it also provides some significant bars to reach, such as informational reading and writing skills.

    VCS reviews all parts of our own curriculum on a six-year cycle. While our curriculum has consistently proven to be strong by meeting and exceeding various state and national standards, our systematic study includes an analysis of the CCCSS as we incorporate those standards which will enhance our already rigorous curriculum. (For more information on the CCCSS and Christian schools, read this link)
     
Last Modified on March 20, 2023