Valley Christian Elementary School

We are so happy with this school, my son loves it here!

I had 3 children attend VCES, with my oldest daughter moving on to the junor high. My 2 younger children still attend VCES and we have had an amazing experience. The teachers are the best part of VCES, but i must say the principal has been truly wonderful. His leadership has set the tone for the campus, and i have seen such a dramatic improvement in campus unity through his efforts. There is a genuine joy and love that covers that campus, and I would say that from the office staff to the teacher’s aides, this joy is pretty well evident. My kids love their teachers and love going to school. The academics they’re receiving are very good, but at this age, their social development is also important as it will set some life-​long patterns. At this point, i am thrilled that they seem to be socially adept and in part, i have the school to thank for that. I have witnessed teachers focused on creating an environment that promotes building positive social interactions amongst students, and building self-​esteem. Conflicts are not just resolved by the teacher, but students are taught how to resolve their own conflicts, something many adults have yet to learn. Parents too are respected and encouraged to be part of the educational life of their children. My wife has been a part of my kids’ classes throughout. I have gotten to know many of the teachers personally and I find them extremely bright, caring, and excellent in the classroom. I wrote this review in part, after reading a 2 star review from Diane G. I was saddened to read of her experience, and all i can say is mine has been the exact opposite experience– I won’t hypothesize about her child, but I have seen lots of parents blame the school for their failed parenting. Not saying that’s what happened in Diane’s case. But questioning the school on issues of race is just plain silly. Much of what she said is absolutely not true. Just looking at the VCES staff directory on the website shows that she misspoke. There is a strong emphasis on diversity at VCES, too many to list. Frankly, it’s too bad that she felt her child was not respected, but i’m sure we’re not hearing the whole story. The faculty and administration would be pained to know how she felt and would certainly respond. The personal attacks against the faculty and admin are unwarranted and out of line. I have brought some of my closest friends to VCES, and they too are having the same wonderful experience that we are. This is the kind of school that people take out second mortgages to afford. Yes, it’s that great. I wish the tuition could be less, so more families can attend, but at the same time, VCES is full and families are having to be put on a waiting list. If you’re thinking about applying, i would recommend you not wait. The earlier the better. I would also encourage you to start working with your Pre-​K aged child teaching them colors, numbers, and working on verbal and social skills. Kids that have gone through preschool programs seem to have an edge unless moms and dads take time to work with their 3 – 4 year olds in the above noted areas. This will help the interview process. Kindness is key.

While every school has its strengths and weakness. There are several great things that this school has to offer. My child attended this school for three years and we recently left the school for the better representation of the Christian core values, and for the relocation out of the area. There were instances where i felt the administrators could have handled student to student resolutions with a better approach to resolving the nature of the issue in moral like brotherly approach. this was not encouraged as much as it could have been. And, when this was not achieved there were opportunities to address this with the staff. Their responses were limited. However, i believe that this is something that can be improved. My child excelled in all areas of academics here at this school and, that is the one thing I did appreciate.

The school has great academics. However, if you find social interactions and peer support for a community based program important then, unfortunately this school fails in that area. The schools administrators do not see the importance of listening to the students and acting on important peer related concerns with other student. Instead the administrators try to look at the student’s entire academic picture rather than focus on the main issue that arose. My child has several incidents with a peer that resulted in that peer given the advantage simply because the child was more well known at the school, and of other ethnic background. The lack of support from the teachers and office staff provided confusion, frustration and a give up kind of attitude to the student with the concern. Overall i was very displeased and disappointed in the principal’s actions towards concerns and when he did address the issue he never took the time to take a look outside the box and try to correct the racial barriers that these students face daily. Many parents see the underlying racism that exists at this campus combined with socioeconomic racism and it is blanketed by the fact that «Christian» lifestyle accepts those of all creeds and unfortunately this is not the standard practice it is a myth at this campus and it needs to be addressed with all students. They host a bullying chapel’s session however, it proved to be ineffective, when it comes to the students antagonizing one another. Each child should have a voice to be heard and a voice to be respect within the community, and at this campus, the elementary campus, there is problem and it begins with the lack of true sincere support. Many of the staff go along with the nature of the schools creed however the true genuine level of Christian care is only evident when you don’t address the schools faults. The staff there teaching wise in each classroom are not diverse and consist of mainly Caucasian decent. There are no Hispanic Teachers (not including aides), No African American teachers (not including aides and p.e. teachers) No Indian, no Asian, only Caucasian decent. There are serious racial barriers and respect levels that need to be addressed as these students are raised to be in a community and will someday live outside the walls of this school and become involved peers and, i frankly to not want my child raised to believe that she/​he is inferior to any other race. There should be equality and an offering of community support. The school fails to bring a Caucasian student to be held accountable, especially when it related to a minority student. The minority students issues are deemed as a secondary issue and non irrelevant and the fact is racism is present and it exists until diminished. The administrators refuse to acknowledge that the students (Caucasian) treat the others students badly, and when the other students respond, the other minority students are addressed with why they did respond this way, rather than what different things lead up to the final response out of the non-​white child. Racial issues are present in this community of students and not addressed severely enough through the administrators that the levels of disrespect and racism are growing and it is not acceptable. There is currently a teacher that confuses students with others because of the racial background and not actually knowing the child and that is sad in itself. I have seen this teacher in action with another student and he never apologized to that student. Is this the worse thing to have in day in age yes, can it be fixed yes? And, should it be made a priority in the years to come, definitely yes? My child attended for five years and, I left because of the problem. I have no problem paying and i donated several thousands to the campus, I just found is distasteful the nature of this problem and the lack of concern especially from the current principal and staff. There needs to be more administrators and teachers –main educators of a variety of cultural backgrounds so that the students have someone to relate to and look up to. I would not recommend this school it the current racial issues persist; otherwise the school is outstanding in academics

This school is ok. Compared to the main campus, it is better than good, but what I am reviewing is the friendly staff, the procession of picking the kids up after shook is very orderly-​I love that here. I usually get here early and park and walk. Many different ethnicities here, if that is important to you, if I had a question about where to go and how things were done they tile me very nicely. This is just an ok school to me, there are still areas, where the kids I nanny for have told me their experience with their teachers, could be improved a lot more. So if you are looking for a private or non private elementary, I would recommend looking around a bit more.

I have sent two of my children there
Very caring and nurturing environment.

Love teaching and building a harp program here at Valley Christian Elementary School. Looking forward to sending my future kids to enjoy some of their great programs!