Academic & College Counseling

High School Students pose wearing the shirts that represent their future university’s

Discipling curious and thoughtful Christian leaders

The VCHS counseling team’s mission is to partner with students, teachers and parents to prayerfully identify the social, emotional and spiritual needs; the interests and aptitudes, and the realized goals of each student and to provide thoughtful academic and college/career planning throughout four years of high school to best prepare students to serve God and their families and to impact their communities and the world.

Students enter high school with a freshman counselor focused on the transition to high school and supporting students with a strong, healthy start to high school. At the end of freshman year, in order to effectively counsel and care for students, each family will be assigned a counselor to partner with through the remaining three years of high school. This allows counselors to build meaningful relationships with parents and students and enables counselors to better understand each student’s strengths and goals.

Design Your Blueprint

The counseling team provides strategic programmatic education followed with individualized coaching and support through the academic and college planning process. The following is a summary of planned counselor touchpoints for our students.

  • Counselor Connect is a presentation for new families to learn about class selection and what to expect in high school
  • Freshman Sunrise is a specialized orientation event offered in August for incoming ninth-graders to prepare for high school
  • Warrior Blueprint for freshmen families to map out a four-year academic and spiritual plan based on each student’s goals and abilities
  • Four years of Cialfo (our college & career readiness platform) training to assist students with the career and college search, preparation and application process 
  • Individualized counselor support meetings to review academic performance and post-secondary goals

Valley’s Academic and Counseling Department led our entire family through high school. Our son’s counselor calmed us and educated us in choosing ideal high school classes and navigating the college admissions process. He was the confidant and spiritual leader our son needed to thrive during high school and begin his college experience. Their friendship will undoubtedly continue.-Chris Janssen, VCS Parent

Navigate the College Process

The transition from high school to college marks a significant point in a student’s experience, and the VCHS counseling team is dedicated to educating and empowering students to take ownership of their own self-discovery and college search and application process.

Below is a list of services designed to guide students and parents through the college search and application process:

  • Family workshops and webinars designed to provide education addressing a variety of college admissions topics
  • College tours led by VCHS counselors. Past trips include Boston, New York, Philadelphia, the Pacific Northwest, the Southeast, and Southern California
  • Cialfo offers students and parents interactive surveys, college search and comparison tools, college profiles with VCHS data, scattergrams of past applications from VCHS, scholarship opportunities, and much more
  • Over 250 college admissions representatives are scheduled throughout the year to visit campus and meet with students
  • Annual Christian College Fair held at VCHS 
  • Guest speakers addressing topics such as college essay writing tips and applying for financial aid and scholarships
  • Recommendation Letters and Secondary School Reporting
  • Summer webinar series and application workshops to give seniors a solid start on applications before the school year begins
  • College Application and essay assistance available for rising seniors throughout the summer and fall
  • Individual junior family and senior student meetings to discuss college goals and to create a plan for the college application process
  • Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Family Night Webinars provide a broad overview of timelines and the college application process 
  • Test Prep Seminars offered throughout the year, including SAT and ACT seminars. Benchmark tests are administered at the start of the class, followed by a diagnostic test at the end of the course to evaluate student improvement
  • Periodic practice SAT/ACT tests on campus in conjunction with Revolution Prep
High School Students pose wearing the shirts that represent their future university’s
High School Students pose wearing the shirts that represent their future university’s

 


NCAA and NAIA Athletic Recruitment Counseling

Sixty percent of Valley Christian students participate in a sport. The counseling team strives to provide individual counseling for our athletes interested in seeking opportunities to continue playing at the collegiate level.

  • Each student-athlete expressing a desire to play college sports can schedule an individual college counseling appointment  
  • Workshops on the college recruitment process
  • Access to Sports Recruits, a program providing trusted and accurate data around the recruiting process
     


 

Follow Your Calling

The counseling team is committed to providing ongoing assistance for a variety of student needs. 

  • Summer Opportunities are highlighted through spring workshops for students to learn about travel, internships, work, and study options
  • Course Selection advice and assistance
  • Counselors available for scheduled and drop-in appointments throughout the year
  • Highlands Ability Assessment and feedback sessions to identify students’ God-given abilities to determine a college and career path