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Superintendent
Letter
The
Three-Fold Cord
Valley Christian Schools (VCS) began in 1959. Its founders purposed
to challenge students with an intense college preparatory course
of study. To this end, VCS sent the content of all core academic
courses to the University of California for review and approval.
This effort for scholastic integrity has served our graduates
well. Nearly every major university in the nation has admitted
VCS graduates.
Since the inception of The Quest For
Excellence™
in 1991, we have added a variety of courses each year. The combination
of a full honors program with the extraordinary athletic, performing
arts, fine arts, technology and communications programs available
at VCS provides one of the premier well-rounded college preparatory
opportunities in America.
The Quest For Excellence™
in facilities also took a giant stride during the 40th year of
our school’s founding. VCS moved into its beautiful new 53
acre hilltop Skyway campus in south San Jose that contains outstanding
classrooms, labs, theatre, dance studio, athletic facilities,
band rooms, art center, technology & communications programs
and an aquatics center with a 53 meter pool. Students, faculty
and staff are now proving that, “…God is accomplishing
exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think…”(Ephesians
3:20)
Academic excellence at VCS finds its
roots in the mainstream of Christian history. Teachers challenge
students to think deeply about complex contemporary and ageless
matters. Students probe the nature of Truth and its application
to daily living. They sharpen each other as they question, debate
and challenge ideas, concepts and theories.
Quality education at Valley Christian
Schools means accepting learners as God created them mentally,
spiritually, physically and academically. It means teaching students
at their individual level of understanding and providing instruction
at a pace at which they can succeed to their highest potential.
This perspective of quality education
mandated the development of our Discovery Center for students
with learning challenges. It is also because of this view that
Valley Christian Schools remains committed to offering one of
the finest college preparatory Honors Programs available. Someone
said, “Teachers should never teach more than students can
learn.” To that I add, “…nor should they teach
less.”
Perhaps it was Barbara Callisch, a
founding parent of VCS, who first said, “Our students should
not pay academic penalty for receiving a Christian education.”
It seems the tables have turned. Our students are academically
privileged. I agree with Frank Gaebelein who said, “Our task
is not only to outlive and out serve those who do not stand for
God’s truth; it is also by God’s grace to outthink them.”
With these ambitious aspirations, our "Quest For Excellence"™;
continues.
Clifford Daugherty, Ed.D.
Superintendent, VCS
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