Elementary Academics

Elementary students sit as desks and color with crayons on paper

Enriching Educational Experiences

At VCES, faculty and staff foster a caring learning environment that is patient, encouraging, and tailored to the unique needs of each and every student. Teachers challenge students at their individual levels through differentiated instruction, project-based activities, and the most up-to-date and effective digital learning tools. The core academic program includes Bible, reading, language, writing, math, science, and social studies, and is designed to meet and exceed California state standards in the various academic disciplines. An extensive offering of enrichment classes and after-school programs, created to identify and nurture each student’s God-given potential, enhances the general curriculum

VCES Distinctives

Daily Bible lessons and weekly chapel
Caring, well-trained teachers
Teachers receive continual training in best practice, 21st-century teaching skills
Teachers receive comprehensive training in Differentiated Instruction
Language Arts are taught through the multi-sensory Slingerland approach
Cursive is taught beginning in Kindergarten
Extensive after-school programs in academics, arts, and athletics
On-site support services available
National Blue Ribbon Award Winner (2016)
International Space Station experiment (fifth-grade)
Agri-tech/hydroponics lab (fourth-grade)

iPad Program

VCS believes in using the most effective digital learning tools, which is why we use the iPad as an interactive instructional tool in grades K-3. All 4-5 students use Chromebooks.

Challenge Success

Partnering with Challenge Success, a national educational organization, VCS’ mission is to create more balanced workloads, raise student engagement, and actively support the students in their pursuit of the biblical definition of success. Part of the initiative has included revisiting the homework policy to eliminate busy work, allowing for much-needed downtime in the evening, and resulting in positive overall changes both emotionally and academically for the students and their families.

Elementary student poses in the library with a book in her lap

We can’t be more grateful for the work God is doing at VCS. We are confident that our children will leave Valley Christian prepared for impactful Kingdom work.-Kris & Genevieve Coughran, VCS Parent

Field Trips
Academic Readiness

Field Trips

Kindergarten
Farm Trip, Alum Rock Park, Fire Station, Pizza My Heart, and Vasona Park

First Grade
Pumpkin Patch, Library, Skyway Campus, Theatre, Happy Hollow, Levi's Stadium, San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, Campbell History Museum, and Gilroy Garden Science Days

Third Grade
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Community Theatre Performance, and Almaden Quicksilver Museum

Fourth Grade
Walk through California, San Juan Bautista, Roaring Camp Railroad, and Levi's Stadium

Fifth Grade
Youth Science Institute at Vasona Park, Mission Springs Outdoor Education Science Camp (one week, overnight), De Anza Planetarium, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Museum of Quilts and Textiles, and San Jose Historical Museum

Academic Readiness

Valley Christian Elementary School assesses all incoming students for grade-level placement. For admission into Kindergarten, prospective students are tested for letter, number, shape, and color recognition, and they are screened for visual discrimination as well as cutting and motor skills. Students who enroll in VCES after the Kindergarten year are also tested for academic preparedness to ensure a smooth transition into their new educational environment.