ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Welcome to new beginnings for VCS elementary students as they live out our motto of “College-bound from Kindergarten, Christ-centered for life.” Each school year is a wonderful opportunity for students to excel, grow, and thrive in all their God-given talents and abilities. VCS is an exciting place full of children who love to learn and educators who are passionate about their role as teachers and mentors.
A Christ-centered curriculum rich in English language arts, social studies, and our unique STEAM (Science, Technology, Exercise, Arts, and Math) initiative also provides multiple enrichment opportunities, producing well-rounded, engaged, and accomplished students. Science and computer labs, music, art, and PE classes allow VCS students to experiment with a complete academic program while being encouraged to find their individual passions. Our faculty guides, encourages and leads students during their foundational and innovative learning journey and is proud to provide a family-centered, nurturing environment enabling our students to thrive.
Community service programs, field trips, and numerous extracurricular activities allow students to try new things and explore various interests. Elementary students at VCS will have many opportunities to stretch, grow, and thrive, while wrapped in the love of Christ lived out daily by our faculty and staff.
We’re so glad you are part of our community. Our families are what make Village truly special. Please let me know if I can answer any questions or help in any way. I am here to serve you.
Margie Chespak
Elementary Principal
Curriculum
Village Christian School is committed to students being “College-bound from Kindergarten, Christ-centered for life.” English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies are presented in the context of a Christian worldview by faculty who not only love Christ and love children, but who also love learning.
The unique Elementary STEAM (Science, Technology, Exercise, Art, and Math) Initiative engages students with open-ended activities designed to allow them to create, assess, and improve their ideas to solve real world problems within the core curriculum. Working collaboratively, thinking critically, and communicating effectively are benchmarks of the program. With enthusiastic teachers who encourage questioning why things work as they do, learning becomes a chance for students to apply their skills and knowledge, while understanding that there is frequently more than one correct answer. This approach results in rigorous and relevant interdisciplinary learning. Village Christian’s 21st Century elementary students are active and engaged learners prepared to succeed in middle school and beyond.
In the primary grades, students master the foundational skills that are necessary to support further learning. As they progress through the upper elementary grades, they start applying those skills and they learn to think critically and work collaboratively to meet objectives.
Weekly time in the computer lab for JK through third grade classes is used to develop the technology skills necessary for academic and career success. Fourth and fifth grade students are issued a Chromebook to use both in class and at home.
The Bible curriculum introduces students to God through the stories the Bible tells about His interaction with humanity. The specialist programs in PE, music, and art help to develop the whole child and give opportunities for competencies and strengths to emerge which can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
The goal of the Village Christian Elementary School is not only to lay a solid spiritual foundation, but also to help our students become responsible, self-motivated, and disciplined lifelong learners.
MakerSpace
“Learn by making.” The Makerspace is dedicated to tinkering, creating, exploring, and making. Part science lab, technology center, workshop, and think-tank, this diverse space provides a unique learning environment. This exciting offering gives students a wide range of creative opportunities to brainstorm and work collaboratively, while learning that all ideas are worthwhile and should be considered and explored. Emphasis will be placed on failing without fear, learning to refine and evaluate ideas, and communicating effectively, while using new tools and repurposed materials. Projects include a Lego wall, coding simple robots, use of a 3-D printer and building with recycled materials.
Classes are held in Room 11 on Monday OR Wednesday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Session One: September 11-October 9 Mondays (5 classes)
- Session One: September 13-October 11 Wednesdays (5 classes)
- Session Two: October 16-November 13 Mondays (5 classes)
- Session Two: October 18-November 15 Wednesdays (5 classes)
- Session Three: November 27-December 18 Mondays (4 classes)
- Session Three: November 29-December 20 Wednesdays (4 classes)
Cost: $125 for sessions with five (5) classes, $100 for sessions with four (4) classes and $75 for sessions with three (3) classes.
Classes are held in Room 11. Grades 3-5: Tuesday OR Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Session One: September 12-October 10 Tuesdays (5 classes)
- Session One: September 14-October 12 Thursdays (5 classes)
- Session Two: October 17-November 14 Tuesdays (5 classes)
- Session Two: October 26- November 16 Thursdays (4 classes)
- Session Three: November 28-December 19 Tuesdays (4 classes)
- Session Three: November 30-December 14 Thursdays (3 classes)
Cost: $125 for sessions with five (5) classes, $100 for sessions with four (4) classes and $75 for sessions with three (3) classes.
This is a student-created video by Austin Shimek.
Arts in Elementary School
Visual and performing arts are an integral part of the VCS experience for our elementary students. We feel that the core curriculum is augmented in our Fine Arts programs, allowing them the opportunity to celebrate the talents and gifts our Lord has given them through drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, or participating in on-stage performances.
All of our elementary students participate in a weekly general music class, giving them a basic foundation of music theory and history, and exposing them to various instruments. In second grade and up, students can join one of our choirs, and starting in fourth they can choose to enter the strings program. Both of those groups perform concerts during the year, allowing our students to develop their stage presence.
Elementary students also have a weekly exposure to visual arts, where they study the masters and emulate their style and creativity.
Athletics in Elementary School
All elementary students participate in our curricular physical education (PE) programs, and in addition, we also offer a variety of opportunities here on campus. Elementary students can compete in cross country, track and field, and tennis, as well as enroll in sport-specific camps and clinics through our Sports Performance program. The Elementary years are a special time to try different sports and develop essential skills that will be foundational across athletics, setting them up for success at the higher levels.
Special Events
We host a number of special events in Elementary School to keep learning fresh and stimulating to our students. Here are some of our favorite highlights:
Grandparents Day is an annual event when our elementary grandparents come on campus to enjoy a student musical presentation and a fun day filled with multiple activities and joyful play with their grandchildren. This special time brings the generations together for a great day of sharing and interaction.
Grade levels 1-5 each enjoy various off-campus field trips such as a visit to JPL, the LA Science Center, the Autry Museum, the Poverty Encounter at Children’s Hunger Fund, Tree People, Kid’s Space, Underwood Farms, and the LA Zoo.
Captain Carl brings a menagerie of sea creatures to school to the delight of our Kindergarten students. They learn how to hold them gently and how important it is to keep the oceans clean and safe for their survival.
First Grade students dress up as 100 year old’s to celebrate the 100th day of school. They have gray hair, walkers, pearls, and very large purses. A wonderful time is had by all.
Second grade students spend the day curled up on the floor of the classroom either reading a good book or having a variety of guest readers come in and read to them. These sometimes include police officers, the Head of School or even an occasional cuddly grandma.
Third grade students celebrate fall with a special pumpkin day. Students all bring in a pumpkin and the day is filled with various centers for learning and fun.
Fourth grade students get dressed in period attire to experience a taste of life in 1849. They spend time as merchants and miners by buying and selling supplies, sewing gold pouches and yarn dolls, carving soap, churning butter, and panning for gold.
Walk Thru California is a fourth grade “in-school field trip” that is an engaging and interactive presentation of standards-based history curriculum through literacy and the arts, games, music, and dramatic activities which encourages participation and comprehension of the curriculum.
Our fifth grade students, dressed in period costume, spend a day exploring life in the 1700’s. Students participate in hands-on activities such as candle dipping, cross-stitching, outdoor games, sock doll and pillow making.
This fifth grade “in-school field trip” acquaints students with the events surrounding the American Revolution in a memorable, fun, and engaging way. Students prepare for the day by becoming “experts” on a variety of people and events so that they can teach others about their area of expertise.
The Washington D. C. trip is one of the highlights of the 5th grade year. It is an outstanding opportunity for our students to have an interactive experience with their history and social studies curriculum. The events and personalities involved in the founding or our country come to life as we walk the streets of Williamsburg and the grounds of Mt. Vernon. The scope of the tragedy of Gettysburg becomes more real as we reenact some of the engagements of those crucial three days of battle. We feel the impact of the sacrifices of the men and women of our Armed Forces as we view the various war memorials. We become more connected to our history and culture as we wander the halls of “American’s Attic,” the Smithsonian Museums. Our students grow as individuals as they accept greater responsibility for themselves and live in community with their roommates. The D.C. trip is a tremendous way to cap the Village elementary experience.
Extracurricular Programs
Before- and After-School Child Care
We offer child care from 7am to 8:20am for Elementary students, and from 3pm until 5:30pm for Elementary and Middle School students, supervised by a caring, first-aid- and CPR-certified staff. Child care is available on an as-needed basis; you are billed monthly for the accrued hours.
Fine Arts Academy
Group and private lessons in voice, drama, piano, violin, drums, guitar, art, brass and woodwind instruments are offered. The Academy is also open to home schooled families and members of the community. Click here to learn more.
Family Science Nights
We have two exciting VCS Elementary Family Science Nights scheduled in the fall. If your students like to ask questions, create, build, discover, and learn, we are hosting two fun and informative nights – one for students in Grades JK-2 and one for Grades 3-5. Each student and one accompanying adult will be busy exploring, competing, and inquiring through hands-on science activities.
- Grades 3-5: September 19, 2023
- Grades JK-2: September 26, 2023
The cost is $15 per student. Adults are free. (One adult must accompany each student, but due to space limitations, only one adult may accompany each student.) These events are hosted in the Auditorium. Sign-ups are limited and must be completed online.
Contact the Elementary Office
If we can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Elementary Office. We can be reached by phone at 818-768-1900, or you may use the form below to send us an e-mail.