Cole Valley Christian School - Secondary Campus

I went there from K-12, and while I loved the staff and have done wonderfully in College since graduating, I very much feel that they are very fundamentalist, especially in the way they police female students dress code, sexuality, and lack of adequate sex ed. Great education, yet very backward in pushing specific political and religious views.

Great school. Academics are solid, with a focus on preparing students for college and future jobs. Teachers care about students and take an active role in education. Leadership researches best practices.
—Submitted by a parent

The school's history has rightly earned it a good reputation, but the current superintendent's many missteps and personal shortcomings are putting this school in jeopardy. The superintendent has made statements about teaching being a "lower skill set" (his words) than doing administrative paperwork. Of course, he has no background in education, but thinks his experience as a kids' basketball coach gives him the expertise to tell experienced teachers how to do their jobs. He has no interest in receiving input from parents whose opinions may differ from his own. He is also a poor money manager, spending most of the school's budget on athletics while not giving the teachers any salary increases or budgeting for educational programs. The school's future is being jeopardized by poor leadership and the superintendent's lack of character.

Our family has been so blessed by Cole Valley Christian Schools. One child is a graduate, and one will graduate from CVCS. Despite the cost associated with a private school, we view CVCS as an investment, not a sacrifice. We are grateful to the administration, staff and coaches for their godly example and commitment to our children.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended CVCS from K-10. The elementary campus was wonderful, great leadership! The secondary campus is lacking in leadership. The Superintendent and the VP have ZERO teaching experience. The Superintendent worked at Hewlett-Packard until 2005. The education is lacking. It s not worth the money nor the Spiritual environment sub-par at best.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student who left CVCS this year, I am glad to say that I am moving on to better places. The school only teaches one brand of Christianity and does not promote free and critical thinking. I hope that people do not send their kids to this horrible place where the programs, especially the history department, is lacking so. All that happens is that you are taught to love Jesus, told to not trust other religions and finally told to do whatever the staff teaches you to do. This school should not even be credited. I forgot, be prepared to be taught that talking snakes do exist...

I am a graduate of Cole Valley Christian High School. I attended from 9th to 12th grade. CVCS does not adequately prepare their students for college level courses. I was an A and B student my entire time at CVCS yet when I entered basic college courses the simple and naive way I had been taught, especially in History, lead to a period of catching up my first year in college, since history courses at CVCS are little more than the teacher going off on wild tangents about fighting off demons. The school claims to be a "Christian" school yet only pushes one brand of Christianity - hardcore fundamentalism. Even quality teachers are fired because they may not agree with some aspect of the schools theological manifesto. Even NNU a Christian college at least teaches their students actual, fact based courses on science, history and various other subjects. If you want your kid to be reinforced and "educated" with your own beliefs this is the school for you. If you want your child to develop objective critical thinking skills and have an advantage in life...send them somewhere else! I also recommend sending any athletically talented children to schools that have a viable sports program.

I'm a former student and high school graduate of Cole Valley Christian, having attended there every year from K-12. My education there left me woefully underprepared for university courses where a higher standard of world knowledge and critical thinking ability is required. The high school in particular is a fundamentalist Christian training center; science and history courses were spun to fit a pre-fabricated conclusion based on a particularly-literalist interpretation of the Bible. During my time as a student, there were required religion-related courses, including apologetics and worldviews courses which are little more than Christian propaganda. It actually has a fairly-high academic reputation in the area from what I know, but the assault on your child's ability to reason objectively no matter the subject is not worth that potential gain. Stay away from this one!

As a former student I can honestly say that the leadership here has changed my life and is still changing my life years later. Cole Valley Christian gave me discipleship, a good education, leaders and teachers that I trusted, and a chance to go on the most amazing trip of my life to the Philippines. The staff here truly wants the students to get a grip on why the Bible is true, how to apply it to life and make more disciples of Jesus. Jesus is the center of education at CVCS and my future plans have radically changed towards loving those who need love the most all over the world.

We have 2 kids in this school and we have found that the standards of education far outstrip those of the public school we brought our daughter from. So much so, that they maintain an in-school catch-up program that is designed for children coming from the surrounding public schools whose curriculum is at least a full grade behind.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three students at Cole Valley Christian School. The best aspect of living in the treasure valley is this school. Our entire family has made wonderful friendships connected with this school. Our students have been challenged this year academically and spiritually. The teachers and coaches are amazing. Our son's 8th grade basketball team placed first in their conference. Our three kids love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is more than just an amazing school. This school is life changing. I couldn't be more proud to say that I just graduated from Cole Valley Christian. The teachers here are wonderful, and they care about each and every individual student. The faculty and staff are always willing to help, and are ALWAYS there when you need them. The students there are different - they aren't just classmates. They are your family. When you are here, you really are family. Not just students. The academic levels are much higher than public schools. Teachers want their students not to merely pass their class, but to take something away from it and actually learn something. The teachers are not there for themselves, they are there for the students. I would encourage anyone and everyone to attend this school. It is worth everything.
—Submitted by a student

Both of my children attend CVCS. We are extremely happy with the leadership and dedicated professionals that we find there. My kids are involved in sports and yearbook. They have had fantastic guest speakers at Chapel who talk from a Godly world view about drugs, sex and peer pressure. They have also had some great bands perform. Although the cost is quite high, we are thankful our kids attend CVCS.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Cole Valley Christian school is a great school for all to attend. It has taught me so much and the teachers there are so loving to the students. You also get the one on one with the teacher that you wouldn't get at a public school. The academic programs are great and usually better than public in my opinion, but the extracurricular activities and sports aren't the best. The only sports they have is basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, and football. There is also not a music class, but there is choir, which you can choose as one of your electives. The level of parent involvement is good, even if i don't always like it. My parents are able to go onto our schools website at any time and see my grades straight from my teachers grade book. I think Cole Valley just makes it a key point... Parent involvement!
—Submitted by Ashley, a student

Excellent experience with this school for our daughter. High standards, good teachers and strong morals. Future growth and facility improvements will add needed extracurricula opportunities.
—Submitted by a parent