Distinctives
The Middle School Adventure
Our goal is to provide unique opportunities to our middle school students that encourage them to thrive throughout their middle school years.
L.I.F.E. Groups (Living Intentionally and Fully Everyday)
John 10:10 says: “I have come that they may have life and have it
to the full.”
VCS cares about the holistic development of our students. That is why we
connect quality, high school upperclassman with our middle school students
through our LIFE Groups. These selected high school students come from
our Servant Leadership course, where we teach them how to help our middle
school students navigate their VCS experience. They support them through
offering spiritual guidance, encouragement, and practical advice about
how to make the most of their VCS experience.
Christian Leadership
Students have an opportunity to apply for a specialized Bible class “Christian Leadership” during their eighth-grade year. Students will develop leadership skills as they support incoming sixth-graders, encourage a safe community atmosphere, participate in chapel and L.I.F.E. groups, and organize various activities.Students will study leadership from a Biblical perspective, following the theme of learning to love and serve God and others. For more information on the class refer to the section Christian Leadership under the Spiritual Life tab.
Eighth-grade Class Trip: "The March “Journey from Civil War to Civil Rights”
Students in 8th grade have an opportunity to take a once in a lifetime trip to the South, to travel the paths of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. We will journey to Memphis, Tennessee; take a river boat cruise of the Mississippi River; travel to Birmingham and walk the Edmund Pettus Bridge; and travel to Montgomery ‘The Cradle of the Confederacy.' This trip will serve as the culminating event of the student’s Middle School Adventure!
Sixth Grade Retreat
We like to begin the VCS Middle School experience with a class-wide, fall retreat at The Oaks Camp, located in Lake Hughes, CA. Students will get to enjoy lots of great recreation, including the ropes course, cabin times with friends and teachers, eating, and laughing. We will have a great speaker, with lots of fun and games. Parents: you can expect a 1 to 8 staff to student ratio, travel in VCS buses, and missing your student from Wednesday till the end of the school day on Friday. This retreat is tons of meaningful fun!
Seventh Grade Retreat
We are excited to announce our newly renovated Seventh Grade Retreat as our team of faculty and staff came together last year to consider how we might give our seventh-graders the best possible retreat experience. We designed a retreat that includes an off-campus day filled with bowling, lunch, games at a local park, and small groups allowing the students to explore our theme. The theme is best summed up in this old African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” We believe this saying embodies the communal nature of the Trinity, which God past on to all His children. Jesus reiterated this communal nature by not leaving us with an individualistic faith, but rather a faith built on community, the church. Alone we can only do so much, but when we learn to act in unison, we truly GO FURTHER TOGETHER!
Physics Fun Day
Members of CJSF, who meet the academic and behavior requirements, get to apply physics principles at a fun day at Knott's Berry Farm as they graph the physics of roller coasters and other thrill rides. The event takes place during first semester.
