The Starts Here!
Valley Christian Elementary School finds its strength in community. We like to say, “The Quest Starts Here!” The development of K-12 programs in Academic Achievement, Artistic Beauty, and Athletic Distinction provide elementary students with the opportunity to discover their God-given talents and abilities at a young age. As our students progress through junior high and high school, they will discover more advanced opportunities to develop these gifts. Many of our teachers and coaches spend time at both the Skyway and Leigh campuses, creating an educational environment built upon high standards and continuity.
Classroom instructors create an educational environment that values the unique abilities and needs of every student as they teach the core academic disciplines. A robust schedule of enrichment classes taught by specialists creates a comprehensive approach to education that students love. Additionally, the thorough offering of after-school programs allows students the chance to pursue their areas of passion in depth.
The Quest Starts Here... but it’s only the beginning!
Distinctives
• A 2016 National Blue Ribbon school
• Caring, well-trained teachers
• Over two-thirds of elementary teachers with a Master’s degree
• Teachers receive ongoing professional development in the latest educational trends.
• Teachers receive comprehensive training in Differentiated Instruction
• Language Arts taught through the multi-sensory Slingerland approach
• Cursive taught beginning in Kindergarten
• Extensive after-school programs in academics, arts, and athletics
• On-site support services
• Daily Bible lessons and weekly chapel (includes Heart Smart curriculum)
Bible
We take our responsibility to provide a warm and nurturing Christ-centered community for our students, parents, and faculty very seriously. Students enjoy cross-curricular biblical integration, take Bible as a core academic subject, and participate in chapel once a week. We strive to provide a welcoming and safe educational environment by training our students to be proactive Young Peacemakers. A variety of community service opportunities help VCES students discover, first-hand, the joy of living a life of service and love. The core Bible curriculum aims to help students understand the basic themes and characters of the Bible.
Courses
Textbook:
Positive Action for Christ
KCharacter building, creation, developing and nurturing a relationship with Jesus
1st Creation, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Life of Christ, daily devotions
2nd Lessons from the life of Moses and Jesus, weekly memory verse, daily devotions
3rd Through the faithful lives of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Ruth, and Daniel students learn about the rewards of living for God.
4th Building Life’s Castle, the Life of Christ, and the mission life of Paul
5th Survey of the Old Testament, biblically-based conflict resolution
Language Arts
The elementary language arts program seeks to develop fluent readers and prolific writers by the time they matriculate into junior high school. Beginning in kindergarten, students learn the basics of phonemic awareness and cursive letter formation via the Slingerland methodology. By fifth grade, students are reading chapter books above grade level and write original essays on a variety of topics.
Accelerated Reader is an individualized assessment and independent reading program that provides all students with an opportunity to develop a life-long love of learning. Students take an assessment at the start of every grading period, which determines their reading range. Students read books independently, take a quiz, and earn points toward their individual goal.
Courses
Textbook:
Pearson Savvas: myView Literacy
Slingerland Method
KThe language portion of the curriculum develops communication skills such as speaking in complete sentences, expressing ideas clearly, building vocabulary, listening to instructions, and hearing ageappropriate literature and poetry. Kindergarten reading instruction emphasizes recognition and use of the alphabet, blending of short and long vowels, and reading of sentences and simple books. All students learn to write by forming letters and numbers and are taught cursive handwriting beginning in kindergarten.
Additional Textbooks: Modern Curriculum Press-Phonics, Starfall
1st myView is an integrated Language Arts program, encompassing reading, language, and spelling. The curriculum covers initial, medial, and ending sounds. It also introduces beginning parts of speech (nouns, verbs, and adjectives), proper sentence structure with the use of capitals, and punctuation to form paragraphs. Proper verb tenses, plurals, contractions, and possessives are also emphasized. A conscientious writing program promotes neatness, correct letter formation, and grammar.
2nd
The second grade myView curriculum covers fiction and nonfiction selections, and reading comprehension skills and strategies. Students learn to write expository, opinion, and narrative paragraphs. Weekly lessons in grammar, spelling, and vocabulary are embedded and connected to reading selections. Students review cursive and are introduced to manuscript.
3rd
myView curriculum in third grade provides systematic instruction, diagnostic support, and distributed practice for the full range of foundational skills in the Reading Standards. Students receive daily, systematic writing instruction and engage in the full range of writing, including opinion pieces, informative/explanatory pieces, and narratives. The curriculum provides a measured approach to guiding students in using language to acquire and convey meaning effectively. Weekly lessons in grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and writing are carefully sequenced to build upon one another.
4th
The fourth grade myView Language Arts program integrates writing, spelling, and language skills with twenty-five reading selections spaced throughout the text. Each lesson centers on the reading selection and focuses on the following skills: using text for evidence, writing evidence-based compositions, acquiring vocabulary by using it in context, learning spelling based on phonetic clues and in context of the literature, and speaking, listening, and engaging in collaborative conversations. Reading skills are also developed by using Accelerated Reader to help analyze instructional level for each student and novel studies which promote discussion and comprehension skills.
5th
Fifth grade myView curriculum is organized around high interest stories, and literature units. Reading skills and strategies are taught with the textbook and novel units, while independent reading is practiced and driven by Accelerated Reading goals. Language skills addressed include the conventions of punctuation and grammar, research skills, parts of speech, vocabulary work, Greek and Latin roots and affixes, homophones, and often-confused words. Writing instruction focuses on narrative, opinion/persuasive writing, expository writing, and responding to literature.
Mathematics
The elementary math curriculum provides a comprehensive math program that encompasses all levels of ability, from kindergarten through fifth grade.
The elementary utilizes a variety of web-based tools that allow students supplemental math practice both at school and home. Such programs include DreamBox, IXL, BigBrainz, Khan Academy, and ALEKS.
Courses
Textbook: McGraw-Hill
KThe kindergarten curriculum emphasizes classification, sorting, graphs, numbers to 100, measurement, and beginning addition and subtraction.
Additional Resource: DreamBox
1st
The emphasis in first grade is on addition and subtraction, fact families through twenty, introduction of time, measurement, place value, adding and subtracting two digit numbers, two and three dimensional shapes, and graphs.
Additional Resource: DreamBox
2nd
Second grade math focuses on addition and subtraction to twenty, addition and subtraction of two-digit and three-digit numbers with regrouping, money to $10, telling time to five minutes, fractions and probability, statistics and graphs, geometry (2-D and 3-D shapes), place value through four digits, measurements, and elementary pre-algebra concepts.
Additional Resource: DreamBox
3rd
Third grade math emphasizes addition, subtraction, place value, addition and subtraction regrouping, time (elapsed time), money, multiplication and division facts through twelves, fractions (equivalent and comparing), measurement, multiplication with regrouping, daily multiplication timed tests, perimeter, area, and geometry.
Additional Resource: IXL
4th
Fourth grade curriculum covers mental math, estimation through rounding, numeracy skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), geometry, decimals, fractions, measurement, geometry, and data and probability.
Additional Resource: ALEKS
5th
Fifth grade math focuses on algebra, decimals, fractions, solid geometry, measurements, and numeracy skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
Additional Resource: ALEKS
SOAR
4-5th by invitation only
SOAR offers a unique, accelerated mathematics opportunity for qualifying fourth and fifth grade students. Selected students participate in this special course in lieu of traditional math instruction. The class meets four mornings a week. The course focuses on preparing students for the Math Olympiad competition.
Additional Resource: ALEKS, Math Olympiad
Courses Science
VCES Science provides our students with many exciting opportunities for learning through exploration and discovery. Teachers emphasize “living things” as a major unit year-to-year. Students thoroughly enjoy the bi-monthly science labs as part of the pull-out program.
KMajor themes include characteristics of living things (animals and plants), weather, seasons, and life cycles.
Textbooks: Studies Weekly, Teacher-created units
1st
The curriculum focuses on engineering and technology, sound, light, plant and animal structures, living things and their young, and objects and patterns in the sky.
Textbooks: Studies Weekly, Teacher-created units
2nd
Second grade units cover engineering/design process, states of matter, environments for living things, landforms and bodies of water, and changes to the Earth’s surface.
Textbook: Studies Weekly
3rd The curriculum units on engineering, forces, motion, lifecycles, inherited traits, organisms, fossils, and weather are designed to meet the Next Generation Science Standards.
Textbook: TCI (Teacher Curriculum Institute)
4th The curriculum covers plants and animal structures, energy, Earth’s changing surface, waves, and information.
Textbook: TCI (Teacher Curriculum Institute)
5th Fifth graders study units covering roles in ecosystems, Earth systems, basics of physical science, and a unit on the Earth, Moon, and Stars.
Textbook: TCI (Teacher Curriculum Institute)
Social Studies
Through the study of modern communities, geography, local and national historical people, and groups and movements, students learn how to be responsible citizens in the world around them. Many of the elementary social studies objectives are woven into project-based units.
Courses
KThe youngest elementary students learn to understand and demonstrate characteristics of a good citizen, to identify the purpose of holidays, to recognize state and national symbols, and to understand and describe the jobs of school and community workers.
Textbooks: Teacher-created Units, Let’s Find Out Scholastic magazine
1st First grade social studies units focus on oceans and continents, the concept of family, map skills, and colonial times.
Textbooks: Harcourt: Reflections, Scholastic Map Skills
2nd
All second graders acquire essential map skills and learn about people who make a difference, with a major focus on understanding the concepts long ago, yesterday, and today. The government unit helps students gain insight into governmental institutions, practices, and the lawmaking process.
Textbooks: Harcourt: Reflections, Studies Weekly California magazine
3rd
Third grade curriculum covers geography, Native Americans, community history, government, citizenship, and economics.
Textbook: McGraw Hill
4th
In fourth grade, students learn about California Native Americans, geography, Spanish missions, California’s settlers, the Gold Rush, and transportation. In addition, the curriculum emphasizes map skills via the Weekly Reader publication.
Textbook: California Studies Weekly Reader
5th
Fifth grade social studies covers US geography and history from pre-Columbian civilization to westward expansion.
Textbooks: History Alive, America’s Past
Enrichment Classes
Computers
(Grades K-4)
Discover AMSE Science
(Grades K-5)
Developing excellent communicators is one of our primary educational goals at VCS. Since we recognize the key role that technology plays in communication today, we strive to equip our students with the most up-to-date equipment and training available. Core curriculum focuses on computer skills, coding, and digital citizenship. With the emergence of countless digital learning tools, students must be able to operate in an increasingly digital world.
Life science, physical science, and earth science units come alive as K-5th grade students engage in hands-on experiences that reinforce the concepts they are studying. This program seeks to excite students’ interest in the discipline of science through a motivating, completion-oriented approach. By capitalizing on their background knowledge, this class moves students toward a more complete understanding of science concepts while emphasizing God’s truth as it is revealed in the physical world. Sample units include: Genetics and DNA, States of Matter, Friction, Potential and Kinetic Energy, Egg Anatomy, and Flower Anatomy. All fourth grade students experience an Agri-Tech unit, and all fifth graders complete an International Space Station (ISS) experiment.
Library
(Grades K-5)
Physical Education
(Grades K-5)
Fifth Grade Electives
Students meet with the school librarian twice a month. The focus of Library class is to learn the basics of Library Science and make reading selections based on the students’ interests and reading levels.
Our PE classes provide students with the right start to sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle choices. Students participate in PE twice a week, and kindergarten students attend an additional motor lab to further develop their gross motor skills.
Classes meet twice a week. Students choose a fall and spring class from the following options: AMSE (STEM), Creative Design (BEI), Drama/Choir, Mentoring/Coaching (additional fee), Spanish, and ALP (Athletic Leadership and Performance).
Spanish
(Grades K-4)
Kidservatory Art
(Grades K-5)
Kidservatory Music
(Grades K-3)
Spanish is taught weekly to all students in 1st-4th grades and bi-weekly for kindergarten. Instruction in colors, shapes, and numbers begins in kindergarten; and by the upper grades, students are forming short sentences and increasing their vocabulary to include places in the community, months of the year, and days of the week. There is also exposure to the Hispanic culture through various projects.
All K-5 students receive a foundation in visual art, and showcase their work via portfolios and the annual art show. Over the elementary years, students learn to identify the basic elements and analyze their effects in works of art, and also create art using different mediums: drawing, painting, sculpture, print-making, and textile arts.
All K-3 students meet weekly for vocal/music instruction. The first half of the year prepares students for the Christmas Concert at the California Theatre. The second half of the year readies students for the end of the year performance at the Festival of the Arts. Through the Orff method of learning, Valley Christian students learn rhythm, beat, melody, and play in parts with xylophones, conga drums, and various small, unpitched rhythm instruments.
Kidservatory Music Wheel
(Grades 4)
Kidservatory Music
(Grades 5)
Fourth grade students participate in a yearlong rotation of offerings in music including strings, choir, and band.
After a year of exploring instruments/performing arts in their fourth grade rotation, fifth grade students may select an instrument of their choice. They can choose from strings, band, or piano. Fifth grade music alternates with electives Monday – Thursday.
Field Trips
Throughout their elementary years, our students attend a variety of field trips that provide many exciting opportunities for learning about science, art, history, and our local community. Many of these field trips become the highlight of the year for our students.
KPrusch Farm Park trip, Fire Station, Science at Skyway, Youth Science Institute at Alum Rock Park, Pizza Parlor
1st Pumpkin Patch, Valley Christian Skyway Campus, Happy Hollow, Christmas tree farm
2nd Campbell Historical Museum, Gilroy Gardens Natural Science Day, Children’s Discovery Museum, DeAnza Planetarium
3rd Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Tech Museum, Pay Pal Park San Jose Earthquakes Weather Experience
4th Walk Through California, San Juan Bautista, Roaring Camp, Youth Science Institute at Vasona Park, Science at Skyway
5th Youth Science Institute at Alum Rock Park, Mission Springs Outdoor Education Science Camp (overnight), Walk Through American Revolution, The Tech Museum (IMAX National Parks)
MISSION STATEMENT
Valley Christian Schools’ mission is to provide a nurturing environment o ering quality education supported by a strong foundation of Christian values in partnership with parents, equipping students to become leaders to serve God, to serve their families, and to positively impact their communities and the world.
VISION STATEMENT
A world where every student pursues their personal Quest for Excellence™
FOUNDING STATEMENT
Valley Christian Schools supports the homes and churches of students in providing an education that is grounded in the Judeo-Christian values of the Bible, as reflected in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. Valley Christian Schools is committed to a Quest for Excellence™ in all of its educational programs, and provides a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth grade curriculum with a rigorous college preparatory program. Firmly founded on Christian values, Valley Christian Schools challenges youth to aspire toward lives of character, service and influence while pursuing their individual Quests for Excellence
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