Valley Christian Schools (Los Angeles County, California)
Private, christian school in Cerritos, Los Angeles County, California, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Valley Christian Schools (VCS) is a private Christian K-12 school located in Los Angeles County, California. It is one of the largest in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. It was founded in 1935 and has 4 campuses (preschool, elementary, middle and high school) enrolling more than 1,300 students.[1] The administration building and the middle and high school campuses are in Cerritos while the preschool and elementary campuses are in two separate sections in Bellflower.[2]
| Valley Christian Schools | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
 | |
10818 Artesia Blvd (administration building) , , 90703 | |
| Information | |
| School type | Private, Christian |
| Motto | Equip & Inspire |
Religious affiliation | Christian |
| Denomination | Protestant |
| Founded | 1935 |
NCES School ID | BB060123 |
| Grades | PK-12 |
| Gender | coeducational |
| Enrollment | 600 (2014-15[needs update]) |
Average class size | 21 students |
| Area | 33 acres |
Campus type | small city |
| Colors | Maroon and gold |
Athletics conference | Olympic League |
| Team name | Defenders |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges |
Annual tuition | 11,640 (9-11) 11,880 (12) |
| Affiliation | Christian Schools International (CSI) Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) |
In 2011, during its accreditation reviews, it received the highest degree of commendation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.[3][4] Valley Christian Schools is a member of Christian Schools International (CSI) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Academics
97% of VCHS graduates continue on to college.[5] VCHS graduates who are accepted to University of California schools have the highest SAT scores of any Protestant, Catholic, or Lutheran high school in L.A. and Orange County.[6][7]
In 2013 VCHS students had an 81% pass rate (3 or higher) on AP exams compared to a National average of 58%.[8]
Valley Christian offers 20 AP and Honors courses.[5]
Athletics
Valley Christian is current a member of the Olympic League of the CIF Southern Section. VCHS teams have won 200 league championships and 30 CIF state titles (and another three state runners-up).[5] In 2011 the soccer team was ranked by USA Today as the #1 team in America.[9] Nearly 60% of students participate in school athletics. The Girls Volleyball team has won a national championship.[10]
Notable alumni
- John Verhoeven (Class of 1971) - Former Major League Baseball pitcher and head baseball coach at Biola University
- Greg Laswell (Class of 1992) - musician
- Kirk Saarloos (Class of 1997) - Former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros, Oakland A's, and Cincinnati Reds
- Arthur Chu (Class of 2002)[11] - Class valedictorian, Jeopardy! contestant in from January 28, 2014 – March 12, 2014. Third-ranked Jeopardy champion of all time both in wins and money won.[12]
- Beau Bennett (Class of 2010, transferred out) - National Hockey League forward for the St. Louis Blues. Highest-drafted Californian born-and-trained player in NHL history, and first California born-and-trained player to become a Stanley Cup Champion (2016).[13]
- Kennedy Wesley (Class of 2019) - soccer player[14]
- Troy Van Leeuwen (Class of 1986) - Musician