At Valley Christian School, high school and middle school students participate in the Northeast Ohio Robotics Education Program (NEOREP) held annually at Youngstown State University. Robotics team practices start in December and end with the competition in March. Students undertake a “hands-on” learning experience. The program culminates in an annual autonomous robotics competition focusing on STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) and ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) learning. Our teams work throughout the season to build an autonomous programmable LEGO® robot to perform defined tasks. The NEOREP competition goes beyond the STEM education alone. Students also compete in journal/research and technical writing and speech.
At Valley Christian High School, Student Council is an organization whereby students have an opportunity to make positive changes in the school community by voicing the concerns and ideas of the student body to school administrators. Students in this organization develop leadership skills by organizing and carrying out school activities and service projects, in order to contribute to school spirit and community as a student body.
Academic Decathlon is a nationally recognized academic competition. The competition consists of seven objective multiple-choice tests, two subjective performance events, and an essay all connected to a central academic theme. Academic Decathlon will push your child to master college-level material and to practice skills, like public speaking and interview. As Decathletes, your student will learn an exciting new theme each year, themes like Russia, World War I, and New Alternatives in Energy: Ingenuity and Innovation. Students participate throughout the year in three competitive scrimmages, a regional and state competition and if they qualify, the national competition!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” –Ephesians 2:10
The VCS REACH Mission Team is open to students in grades 9-11. REACH is a youth mission trip in which students spend one week during the summer serving others. Students stay at a school for the week in various cities throughout the country and work on homes in the community. They get the opportunity to learn skills such as painting, building wheelchair ramps and putting on roofs. Students spend time growing in their faith by participating in morning and evening worship as well as group devotions. The REACH Mission Team is led by Mrs. Karlyn Gunther.
Applying Successful Strategies From The Board To Your Everyday Life
At Chess is Life, we believe that chess is more than just a strategic game in a battle of war and wit. It is a proven learning tool that can assist with the development of critical thinking, cognitive thinking, concentration, logical thinking, memory, endurance, self-discipline, and everyday life skills like self-confidence, patience, self-development, problem-solving and thinking things through thoroughly before reacting. “Don’t move until you see it.”
Valley Christian Worship exists to connect God to His people, His heart to our students, and his love to our community. We are a team committed to lifting up high the name of Jesus and sharing in Him with our school community. We know that everyone is at a different stage in their walk with Jesus. VCS Worship wants to be a part of helping you along on the journey to know him. We are composed of a faculty advisor (Mr. Norfus) and students made up High School and Jr. High students. If interested in serving, please email Mr. Norfus at vnorfus@valleychristianschools.net.
“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” –Psalm 95:1
The VCS Gospel Choir is for students in grades 7-12 that love serving the Lord through song and praise. The gospel choir practices throughout the school year and performs in the spring. In addition to singing, students can also participate in the gospel choir through praise dance, spoken word and instrumental performances. The gospel choir is under the direction of Mr. Anthony Madison.
We are a national, grassroots LITeracy movement, a network of dedicated teachers and students who are committed to increasing access to culturally relevant books and promoting a love of reading in our schools and communities.
Last year, we piloted Project LIT Youngstown: VCS in grades 4-6. Our club meets weekly to discuss the book of the month, and then the students plan, advertise for, and run a monthly event for the rest of the middle school community! Meeting times will be determined after our interest meeting in the first few weeks of school. Project LIT Youngstown: VCS is led by Miss Katie Jenkins and Mrs. Alexandra Harper (Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County).
Valley Christians High School Art Club is an open studio for students who love the arts. Students of all levels can create drawings; paintings’, collaborate with peers, and experiment with other artistic expressions for one hour a week after school.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” I Corinthians 16:14
Students in grades 9-12 are given many opportunities to serve the Lord by participating in local community service projects. They are able to serve as local missionaries. Students have the opportunity to serve the community in which they live by participating in events such as YNDC Community Workdays and the United Way Day of Caring.
This student service group consists of staff-nominated 9th-12th graders engaged in the process of planning and producing our semi-monthly chapel assemblies. Participants also contribute as peer ambassadors setting the example for our student body while collaborating for their enthusiastic involvement in the spiritual environment of our school. Opportunities include both up-front and behind-the-scenes roles, interaction with guest speakers and the thrill of shaping culture at Valley Christian.
Soaring Eagles will help students gain skills in these four pillars: vocational skills, life skills, physical activity and nutrition, and community involvement. The goal of the Soaring Eagles program is to set your student up for success once they exit school.
- Vocational Skills – Vocational skills are defined as trade skills that you apply to technical and practical professions. In year one your student will be given at least two volunteer job experiences while also gaining skills within the classroom. Students will complete a career interest survey that will determine the skills learned and their job experiences. The goal is to transition the student to paid employment
- Life Skills – Life skills are defined as skills that are necessary or desirable for full participation in everyday life. Throughout the course of the program, your student will cover a wide range of life skills and be given the tools to utilize such skills on a day-to-day basis.
- Physical Activity and Nutrition – Physical activity will focus on learning different physical activities to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Students will also learn nutrition facts such as reading nutrition labels, food groups, and overall healthy eating. (may need to reword this rough draft)
- Community Involvement – Community Involvement is defined as the power to bring positive and measurable changes to the community and local businesses. Your student will be given different opportunities to be involved in community service.