Village Christian School

If you’re looking for a private school with average academics and a win-​at-​all-​costs sports program, you’ve found your school. My friend’s kid was recruited to play baseball there and gets a healthy tuition discount. He came from a public charter school and said Village is less challenging than the charter school was. As far as Christian, they should just drop the Christian from the name. It’s a private prep school not a religious school. A couple years ago a bunch of the students had a «Pimps & Hoes» party where the boys dressed like pimps and girls in lingerie like whores. When the school learned of it they basically looked the other way. They seem to put a HUGE emphasis on sports — bringing in a giant african to play basketball, good baseball players from around the valley and cherry-​picking kids from a youth football program to make a decent middle school team. If that sounds good to you, have at it.

If you talk to students, parents, and teachers who have seen this school change since its administration overhaul in 2010, they will tell you how much VCS has changed for the better. I’m horrified to hear of other former students’ terrible experiences, but that doesn’t at all sound like the VCS I know today. The concentrations program (designed to guide students toward personalized curriculum based on their strengths and interests) prepares students to begin thinking about their future college majors and careers beginning in 9^th grade. The arts and athletics programs are fantastic. Many AP classes and top of the line science classes with brand new labs. And in regards to Christian indoctrination– Village does not discriminate against students of any or no faith and the Bible classes have become much less «fluffy» and are now a place where students engage in academic inquiry of sacred text and theology. Even in bible classes students are encouraged to ask tough questions, listen to alternate points of view, and IF they are Christians– to develop an authentic faith. Yes, it’s a Christian school, but it’s open to all and nothing is forced on anyone. There is also a fantastic program for international students (mostly from China, South Korea, and areas of Africa). Step onto campus and you will immediately notice the diversity of the student body– ethnic, religious, and socio-​economic. Compared to other private schools, this really makes VCS stand out. All that at a really good price for an LA private school. Check out VCS, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Much of these negative reviews seem to come from students who attended many years ago. I can vouch that this is a great school nowadays. The administration was entirely overhauled in 2010 and the new leaders of the school are extremely intelligent and thoughtful leaders. Head of school is a Harvard alum. Yes, this is a Christian school, and as such, your children will take Bible class… and the administration is unapologetic about their faith. However, I can tell you from experience that different viewpoints are not shunned at this school — and thoughtful discussion is encouraged. For instance, my daughter once made a presentation about why she believes gay marriage should be legal. Do I think this is a minority view at the school? Absolutely. Was she punished for it? Absolutely not. In fact, she got an A. Also, the theatre department is amazing. Each year, they do multiple shows in the «black box theater» that focus on «finding biblical truths in secular works.» These shows are edgy and excellent. In terms of other academic credentials, contrary to other reviews, «gaps» are not left out In science class. Plenty of AP classes are taught, and the curriculum is very strong, a view that is validated by the tremendous diversity of universities that graduates attend… including Stanford, Cal Tech, Ivy league, etc. The school also has a «Concentrations» program modeled after Harvard where students get to focus on a specific discipline as they prepare for college.
If you are looking for an affordable private school in a beautiful setting with great athletics where the administration is both intelligent and approachable, then I strongly encourage you to explore Village Christian… even if you are not a regular church goer… or not a Christian at all… I think you will like what you find.

Love love this school !! So organized and the staff is amazing! My twins are in high school and loving it !! I highly recommend it!

Claire’s review is completely accurate. I could go on and on but I’ll keep it short. I went to VCS for 10 years from 1991 – 2001​.In elementary school I was traumatized from one of my teachers drawing a picture on the whiteboard of a heart with little devils around it while telling the class, «Satan is trying all the time to get in your heart.» (This was in 4^th grade BTW– how terrifying is that!) I was coerced into believing by fear. In middle and high school I began to realize this school was run by religious extremist. I remember assemblies where speakers would hock «Darwin is wrong t-​shirts» to students, I vividly remember an assembly dedicated entirely on Marilyn Manson and how he is a tool of the devil, and when 9 – 11 happened we were told how evil Islam is and how those who don’t believe in the «true» lord burn in hell. The nail in the coffin for me was when they had quack come speak who claimed an evil rocker hurled satanic spells at him! Ludicrous! And my parents were paying THOUSANDS of dollars to send my brother and I here! This is all too ridiculous for me to be making it up. Educationally they don’t emphasis sciences and recommend students go to community colleges instead of straight to university. My family moved when I was in 10^th grade. When I started public school I was behind in sciences by 2 years! I would NEVER recommend this school nor send my children there.
I must add that the positives I experienced at this school was the middle school principal Mr. Nare, the English teacher Mr. Peterson, Ms. Guess, and History teacher Mr.Valencia. This review in no way reflects them.

We have 3 kids currently attending VCS and will hopefully be adding our twins to the roster this year. Our children are thriving at Village; academically, emotionally, and spiritually. All of our kids love the campus and the teachers. The curriculum is challenging but the school is always finding new ways to make learning fun. VCS encourage family unity and there are many social events for families. We feel like VCS is our second home and we have made many friends there, friends that we actually like to hang out with outside of school.
As a parent I am always worried if the curriculum isn’t challenging enough so when other kids come to Village I ask the parents if their children find the work too easy or more challenging. I have yet to hear of one parent tell me it is easier than their previous school. The teachers and staff alike truly care about these kids and love God. It is evident the moment you set foot on campus.
VCS promotes college at an early age and will guide your children through the entire process and hold their hand every step of the way. They focus on what the children like and what they want to study.
VCS is a wonderful school and we are so thankful our children have the opportunity to attend.

Do not send your child here under any circumstances. This school used to be a quaint, affordable private school. The combination of bullying and an incompetent administration has made this school unbearable. The needs of the children are put behind the ego of the headmaster. We learned after leaving this school how bad the curriculum is as our daughter was a straight A student at Village Christian and had to struggle when she transferred to public school to maintain her GPA.

Love this school. In an age where it’s hard to find moral standards, I’m even more appreciative of the school and its administration and teachers. The Orchestra teacher, in particular, is an example of a caring teacher who gives everything for the students.

Happy kids bright future!

has been getting better every year really have done a lot of updates to facilitites and staff

I have attended here from 2^nd grade until 12^th grade (graduating soon), and I must say I can’t remember any of those things the others claimed about indoctrination or bullying or insane extremist views.
Perhaps I’m just a rare case, but in my time here I’ve been able to discuss philosophy and theology from a secular and theological point of view with faculty and staff, as well as students. I haven’t heard of or seen any bullying problems (it probably exists, as it does everywhere, but if I’m not hearing about it — and I know almost everyone at the school — it is probably very isolated. Still a problem, if it does exist, however). I don’t know of anyone who has been expelled for atheism or homosexuality (in fact I know a student in the graduating class last year — as far as I am aware — was a homosexual. Good for him, more power to ya I say). I don’t recall any «Darwin is a liar» t-​shirts or any «fire and brimstone» chapels threatening us with eternal damnation. Obviously, though, a Christian school will teach Christian teachings (including the concept of heaven and hell) so if you are already inclined to not believe this, don’t blame the school for teaching the curriculum they set out to teach in their mission statement. Go somewhere else if that’s your beef; you’d probably have a better time, too! :)
The science department has expanded as of late, and teachers like Mr. Klein are willing to discuss just about any aspect of modern science. Evolution is taught as course material, just as in any other school (if you are of the assumption that Christiany and evolution are mutually exclusive, you need to: 1. get your head checked out 2. talk to Mr. Klein on the subject).
Admittedly some of the classes are a little light (the bible classes are a lot of fluff in most cases — actual philosophy or psychology classes would be more interesting, in my opinion.) and there are classes where students might be watching videos and things like that instead of hard coursework — but on the flipside there are quite a few AP class options nowadays (sadly no AP Music theory anymore — I really wished I could have taken that).
I am not a middle schooler now, but I have noticed they have been increasing the quality of the middle school programs. I suppose you could discuss it with the teachers/​staff if that pertains to you.
Perhaps a few years ago when those scathing reviews were written this school was a different place. In recent years, however, I have had little to no problems with the school. In fact, I can appreciate the fact that the teachers/​faculty are very helpful and friendly with the students — if I was around their age I’d consider some of them good friends. The teachers are willing to discuss theology/​philosophy/​christiany/​atheism/​god/​etc with any student, as far as I have seen, and not in the kind of «i’m-going-to-convert-you» way that you might expect — more of just listening and discussion.
Also, the sports department has expanded — there is a nice sport court out back, the football team has been headed up by an ex-​NFL player, and our teams are expanding and doing well. The fine arts department also got a brand new building attached to the back of the gym, which has been very awesome for the band/​strings/​theater classes. The theater department has also been improving drastically — I remember as an 8^th grader watching the school musicals; they were alright, but they felt like a high school musical (you know what I mean). In recent times, the plays have had immense set design budgets and fantastic production values, with a professional director and stage designer working for the theater department. Our production of Godspell (which I was guitarist in) was phenomenal — full lighting, sound, everything. Everyone thought it was amazing! If you were skeptical of the quality of the productions previously (understandable) you should really check out one of the DVDs of the recent ones (when Thom Babbes started directing) or check out a showing. Definitely a good fine arts school.
I’m giving 4 stars out of 5 because there will always be flaws at any complex institution like this. Personally, I find the prices in the cafeteria a little exorbitant (actually, a lot exorbitant) for what you’re getting. Additionally, there could be a few more interesting classes offered (AP Music theory, for example!!!). Overall a good school to send a kid to if you want them to be educated in a christian environment, but without having Christianity «shoved down their throat» (if they absolutely despise everything Christian, though, perhaps this is not the place for them). However, being a private school, pricing is something to think about. If it’s within your budget and fits your needs, I’d recommend it.

Best school in the nation

I spent 6 years at this school… 5^th grade through 10^th grade. it was, and I do not use this phrase lightly, hell. The students were cruel beyond measure, bullying and harassing anyone who didn’t fit in whether it be their clothing, their looks, their beliefs or simply their family’s financial situation. And more importantly, the teachers made no effort to stop any of it. If anything they encouraged it by consistently pointing out differences and emphasizing their satanic/​hellish origins. It was this school and the «Christians» in it, students and faculty, that ultimately led me to abandon the Christian faith and left me determined never to send my child to any private school. I can only imagine how my adopted, mixed race, children of varied religious backgrounds would have been treated at this bastion of intolerance, xenophobia, racism, classism and self-​rightousness. I shudder to imagine.

My kids have been in this school since kinder and one is about to enter junior high school. We have met wonderful people here at VCS both teachers and parents. The school has been very helpful to my family and I would do it all over again! It is a Christian school so that standard is a biblical standard and we love it!

I knew a guy who bragged about sending a student to the hospital but no one would expel him because his father was a «powerful person within the church.»
Education here is sheltered. Science class is interesting because they pretty much leave out a good chunk of it.
Went here for 8^th grade and 9^th grade. For some reason I remember 9^th grade a bit more fondly. Still, not going to this school anymore was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
Overall I would avoid sending children to this place. Any benefit is deeply outweighed by the fanaticalness and lack of «real world experience.»

This place is hell on earth, a hotbed of racial and gender profiling, brainwashing in the name of Christian values, and the kind of school one would expect from a tiny religious town in a flyover state — NOT here in Los Angeles.
What Village Christian is, is inexpensive. It is one of the cheapest high school around. I’ll give you that. (That is the only reason why I attended this school.)
I know someone who got EXPELLED from here for being gay.
I know someone who wore black nail polish to school and had it FORCIBLY removed by the principal with paint thinner.
To send your child to the elementary school here, you have to sign a waiver that allows their staff to beat your child with a paddleboard with holes in it.
I had a teacher (Bible class, senior year) try to convince our class that hugging should be reserved for marriage.
I went here from 4^th grade until I graduated. I am not lying.
If I had a dollar for every time I got called up here and hassled, and asked if I was «trying to get kicked out,» I could buy myself a nice house in in Beverly fucking Hills.
In actuality, the reason I consistently failed so many of my classes here was because I was suffering from a learning disability that made it impossible for me to retain any information I read.
A little guidance in a correct direction could have changed my life and the way I look at school, but instead the staff at Village opted to hassle me and put me on their stupid track — classes all taught by sports coaches who had no teaching credentials and were too busy with their coaching duties to teach the real classes they, for some reason, had signed on for. I literally had a teacher show us 20 minutes of a movie instead of having us read the book when we studied Beowulf my senior year, and similar happened when we were supposed to have read The Grapes of Wrath in 11^th grade (we read the first chapter and watched a movie.)
In seventh grade, my ‘music appreciation’ teacher taught us for a couple weeks, and then for the rest of the semester, he would sit in his office and talk on the phone. It was basically a study hall. Lucky for us, he did not come back. Unfortunately, many of the worst teachers stay here for years.
The daily discrimination I felt going to this school full of pious, cold, phony religious bigotry left some serious scars. I conld continue telling horror stories about the place, but if I did, I’d have to separate them all out into chapters!
I arrived at junior college horribly underprepared afterward, and even had to take numerous remedial classes in attempt to get me up to college speed.
As an adult, I find appalling gaps in my knowledge of American History from having been taught with such a fiercely biased perspective.
If you are struggling to find an inexpensive education for your child, I strongly encourage you to look elsewhere. The judgmental attitude from the staff and lousy teachers made this a horrible place to get my education.
If I was a parent and Village was my only option, I’d send my kid to live somewhere else.