Quest Institute: Inspiring Global Excellence

Valley Christian Schools’ vision statement, “A world where every student pursues their personal Quest for Excellence,” is big and bold. It's not a “campus” where students pursue their quests, not even a “city.” It's a world. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s a call to action.

The Quest Institute (QI) was founded in 2006 during a VCS Board meeting, inspired by the verse, “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). The Board recognized that VCS’ intellectual property is not its own but belongs to God. “The talents and intellectual assets that God has entrusted to VCS are His, and we are simply stewards of these gifts. Therefore, we are called to manage them to maximize their impact for the cause of Christ,” says Dr. Cliff Daugherty, President of Valley Christian Schools and CEO of Quest Institute.

Driven by the conviction that excellence knows no boundaries, the Quest Institute extends the VCS programs to Christian schools and nonprofits worldwide. Innovative educational resources should be available to any student of any means in any region of the globe. Currently, the most robust QI program offerings are from Applied Math, Science, & Engineering Institute (AMSE).

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are a part of everyday life now. Our goal is to give every student a hands-on experience with STEM and make it a part of their daily learning.-Danny Kim, VP/K-12 Director of AMSE and Research & Development at VCS

The heart of the Quest Institute, and VCS at large, lies in fostering excellence beyond personal achievement. It’s about building stronger communities and inspiring global change. Ultimately, the hope of the Institute is that the development, distribution, and demonstration of its resources create a ripple effect that spreads excellence worldwide by democratizing access to high-quality education. Meaning that we can be a gateway to make programs like AMSE accessible by removing financial barriers to students around the globe.

“AMSE’s collaboration with the Quest Institute allows us to innovate, test new ideas with our students, and refine them before sharing them with schools worldwide,” Kim says. “Our students play an active role in this process, even appearing on patent applications for new programs they help develop.”

In considering the possibilities of twenty-first century curricula, the Quest Institute aims to be part of a movement that redefines both traditional and digital learning. Students across the growing network of schools around the globe, with access to Quest resources, will not merely be prepared for the future—they’ll be equipped to shape it.

Through the Quest Institute, VCS transforms its vision into reality, creating an educational culture where excellence is a pursuit that is lived, expected, and celebrated.

“We’re building a worldwide network of learners and educators committed to pursuing excellence,” Kim adds. “Our programs don’t just prepare students for careers—they foster a lifelong love of learning and a heart for service.”

VCS believes QI represents an opportunity to tangibly deliver on its vision—a world of curious, faith-driven students empowered to make a meaningful impact.