Academics

Like all components of the Village Christian School experience, the academic program develops students who are well prepared for their futures. Because critical thinking skills, which have always been important for college preparation, are essential life skills for the information age, VCS focuses on developing critical thinkers who can give a reasoned answer to challenging questions or problems.

Village Christian School students grapple with the deep questions of life such as:

  • Who is God?
  • What is Truth?
  • What is my purpose?
  • How can I access, process, and share information?
  • How can I develop, express, and use my creativity?
  • How can I make wise choices?
  • How can I develop healthy relationships?

These ESLR questions are intentionally developed through the academic curriculum and learning activities in which students engage. A VCS education is based on the understanding that those who are leaders in their professions, communities, homes, and churches have a firm understanding of the foundational knowledge of each discipline and can apply that knowledge in a variety of contexts. Leaders have learned to combine the gifts, talents, strengths, and experiences they have with effort to achieve excellence.

Ray Endacott
Associate Head of School for Academic Life

We believe that while the educational experience here at Village Christian extends beyond the classroom, academics are essential to a student’s foundation and growth.

During the Elementary years, students master foundational skills to become life-long learners and interact with the world around them through intellect and curiosity. With our unique STEAM (Science, Technology, Exercise, Art, and Math) Initiative, we are laying the foundation for students to become responsible, self-motivated, and disciplined.

STEAM engages students with open-ended activities designed to allow them to create, assess, fix, and improve their solutions to real-world problems within the core curriculum. Working collaboratively, thinking critically, and communicating effectively are benchmarks of the program. With an enthusiastic faculty that encourages students to question how and why things work, learning becomes an opportunity to apply skills and knowledge, while understanding that there is frequently more than one way to solve a particular problem. This approach results in rigorous and relevant interdisciplinary learning. Village Christian Elementary students are active and engaged learners that are prepared with the skills required to succeed in Middle School and beyond.

Middle School is a unique time in a student’s life, and our academic program focuses on helping students make a smooth transition from Elementary into a more challenging, multiple-classroom environment. We provide relevant curriculum in the sciences, social studies, language arts, and Biblical studies that is challenging, integrative, and engaging, providing the perfect bridge to High School.

At this age, students are ready to try new things and expand their perspectives. Through required and elective courses, we help young learners develop abstract thinking, intellectual curiosity, and creative abilities in the visual and performing arts, as well as transition students to the college-preparatory focus and critical application of information in High School.

The High School years are a time of incredible growth and opportunity for students as they mature into capable individuals who will graduate in four short years and begin the journey into young adulthood. As students enter High School, they do so with an eye toward the finish line: how do I make the most of my High School experience; what is the right college and major for me; will I be accepted; how will I succeed once I am there?

At Village Christian, we intentionally guide students to explore these questions through Concentrations®. As students work through their Concentration, they rule out careers (saving time and money in the college years), and rule in careers aligned with their aptitude and giftedness. They gain practical experiences which they can leverage in the college admission process, take ownership of their learning, and focus on their futures after college. These advantages make them the prime candidates that colleges and employers seek and propel them into life beyond the VCS campus with the tools and confidence to thrive.

EXPECTED SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING RESULTS

ESLRs stand for “Expected School-Wide Learning Results.” Our ESLRs are in the form of essential questions. We lead all Village Christian School students to carefully think through these questions and be able to answer them based on their experiences in academic courses, Bible class and chapel, elective courses, and extracurricular activities. These questions are:

  • Who is God?
  • What is Truth?
  • What is my purpose?
  • How can I access, process, and share information?
  • How can I develop, express, and use my creativity?
  • How can I make wise choices?
  • How can I develop healthy relationships?

A student who has effectively answered these questions is well prepared for not only college academic study, but for being a leader in their professions, families, communities, and churches.

Experience the Village Difference

Discover how your student can thrive academically at Village Christian School.