Richard Su: A First Visit, A Lasting Choice

A First Visit That Felt Different

Richard Su is the proud parent of a Valley Christian Schools (VCS) alumna, and he still smiles at how the journey began. As his daughter Emma (’23) finished elementary school, his family was exploring options when an open house flyer caught their attention and led them to campus.

That first visit made the decision feel clear. “We were impressed by the dedicated staff and teachers and the well-balanced approach between academic and personal development,” says Richard. For his family, it was not only what they saw, but what they sensed: a place where students could grow as whole people, supported in both learning and life.

Growth in the Classroom and Beyond

Over six years at VCS, Emma found her stride academically and discovered what energized her most. Math and physics became more than favorite subjects, and they eventually pointed her toward an engineering path at UC Santa Cruz.

Richard credits teachers for helping that interest catch fire. Her calculus and physics teachers, he says, “really sparked her interest” in STEM. Alongside that academic encouragement, Emma found hands-on and creative ways to connect through Applied Math, Science, and Engineering (AMSE) Institute’s robotics program and early involvement in the school’s band, building skills, friendships, and confidence.

Support That Stayed Close

When COVID reshaped school and daily life, Richard says the steady care of the VCS community mattered in a deeply personal way. “The loving and dedicated staff and teachers at VCS really helped our child navigate through her difficult time in her junior and senior year during COVID,” Richard recalls.

He remembers how the school responded with both compassion and high expectations, adjusting support without lowering the bar. “Prior to her sophomore year, everything was going well. Everything was just perfect. And then her junior and senior year, she was struggling with school because of COVID, and her emotional well-being was challenged,” says Richard. “During that time, even though it was difficult, all the teachers and the counselors were just really caring. The entire staff and the counselors were working with us, helping her tailor her schedules and workload without sacrificing academic integrity, just coming alongside her to help her perform at school and be able to graduate.”

Care That Continues After Graduation

For Richard, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience is that the relationship did not end when Emma graduated. “We still receive emails from teachers and counselors to check on our child and see how she is coping with college life. It really shows that VCS cares,” he says.

That ongoing encouragement reflects what stood out from the start: people who show up with consistency and faith. “She felt connected to her teachers,” Richard adds. “Having her teachers be able to pray for the students before the class starts, that made an impact on her.”