Elementary Field Trips

Valley Christian Elementary School provides Kindergarten through 5th grade students with a broad range of hands-on learning experiences that enhance classroom coursework. Here are some highlights:

Kindergarten

During the first few months of school, kindergarteners observe live animals in their natural habitats at Alum Rock Park’s Youth Science Institute and visit a working farm to augment classroom learning about animals. Students also ride the train to Palo Alto and visit the Fire Department.

1st Grade

In 1st grade, students explore the exciting lives of animals at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, view exotic and domestic species at the San Francisco Zoo or learn about animal life in the sea at the San Francisco Aquarium. (1st and 2nd graders visit the San Francisco Zoo or the San Francisco Aquarium during alternate years.)

2nd Grade

During 2nd grade, students visit an apple farm as part of their study of seeds. Students also visit the San Francisco Zoo or the San Francisco Aquarium. (1st and 2nd graders visit the San Francisco Zoo or the San Francisco Aquarium during alternate years.)

3rd Grade

Trips to the San Jose Historical Museum and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History enhance the unit on American Indian history during 3rd grade.

4th Grade

During 4th grade, students research California missions and visit the Old Mission San Juan Bautista founded in 1797. Students also visit the butterfly preserve at Natural Bridges State Park as part of their science curriculum.

5th Grade

In 5th grade, students visit Fort Point, a national historic site that was constructed between 1853 and 1861 to prevent entrance of a hostile fleet into the San Francisco Bay. Students also visit the San Francisco Zoo as part of their unit on animals.