Village Christian Academy

Once upon a time... A very good school. Today? Pose the question to the head administrator, "What happened to many of your teachers from 2010 to 2013? Why have so many left? Under what circumstances? What makes you uniquely Christian? Beware my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Even remote associations with previous teachers will place you in an awful situation of disrespect and embarrassment. It's unfortunate that so many harbor such hatred for others. I only say this because it happened today to my friend by a school secretary. It's so sad that a Christian school is only Christian by name and not in theirs actions.

Village Christian Academy is an amazing opportunity for Christian families that want their kids to have a challenging academic experience as well as a great sports program in a safe environment. After three years we could not be happier. The teachers we have had are down to earth and seem to truly care for students. We love the online informative renWeb that allows parents to track progress and keep up with homework, grades,school activities etc. The school community of faculty and involved parents creates a wonderful family feel that we have not experienced elsewhere. The success of graduating seniors and scholarships awarded are proof that our dollars are worth the sacrifice. I recommend VCA every chance I get. We are truly grateful parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love almost everything about this school. My daughter struggled in the public school system for a while. She is a very bright little girl with a high IQ, but also has the tendency to be a perfectionist. Apparently she was a bit too much for the teachers to handle. I have always been a supportive parent, and welcomed all suggestions, yet the only option offered at her old school was Section 504 (student with disabilities), which would pretty much label her as a "special needs" child and most likely single her out. The staff at Village, on the other hand, welcomed her with love, patience and encouragement. She is currently in AG classes, and is definitely being academically challenged. I love the balance between high academic standards and spirituality. Now, the only thing I have yet to get used to would be the non stop fundraisers. I understand that they support many ministries, and somehow have to fund ongoing projects (i.e. football field), but I am just not used to so many at a time. Overall, a great environment and supporting staff!
—Submitted by a parent

We love VCA. Our children have experienced the difference between public school and a Christian education. There is no other place we would be. Even when financial upheaval hit our family, we made it a priority to be at Village.
—Submitted by a parent

When you get a school where the parents run it instead of the educators you get the same result. Sub Standard education. It is very disappointing when you know the Public Schools hold students to a higher standard. Public schools have to follow State Standards. Private schools don't and as a parent you have to be careful. Is this a private school for the kids that cannot handle the curriculum elsewhere? It is going down that road. Students do not have to work for their grades. They are given As just for being in the school. Sounds nice but your child will not know anything and not be prepared for college. The good teachers that try to uphold high standards usually don't last. They get bullied out of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended VCA for 8 years, we started at the school when it was just in its infancy - that was when it was the type of school we wanted. I feel 8 years is a valid amount of time to give you an honest opinion of the substantial decline. The school has shifted its priorities from academics and religeon to athletics which is obvious by the giant billboard in the parking lot soliciting funds for the new football field (coincidentally the varsity FB team lost every game last year and the JV lost all but one). We finally had enough this past year and have pulled all of our children out. Village's best days are far behind. They have zero standards for admission to the school other than a parent's open checkbook. Limited class size in non-existant. Discipline is not readily enforced unless the issue is pushed. Having the children go to "chapel" one day a week and Bible class is just their version of going through the motions to maintain the "Christian" portion of their name. Bullying and materialism are rampant. Respect is considered not necessary by the student body. There is no relationship between the church and the school which is very obvious. LOOK ELSEWHERE!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent at this time. I am curious what the change in administration was in 2008. Abrupt is uncomfortable.

Village Christian Academy is a strangely named school, but there is in fact a reason for its unusual title. Many years ago in the year 179 AD, the Roman Empire was at its peak. At the time, the empire was not known for Julius Caesar or the Coliseum, but for its sprawling villages, which were constructed throughout the empire. The name "village" was derived from a Roman soldier named Fredrick Vill, who saved the empire from certain destruction by developing an impressive array of weapons, such as the bow-and-arrow, thus allowing them to defeat the redcoats from Britain at the Battle of Bunker Hill in World War One in the year 185 AD. Fredrick's ancestors then sailed to America hundreds of years later and landed on the North Carolina coast. After moving further inland, the town of Fayetteville was founded to serve as a prison camp for violators of the law. In the year 1762, Village Christian Academy was formed as a secondary school for those that could not attend the Fayetteville Institute, which was burned in 1906. Today, this history is still taught in classrooms at Village.

My son has gone to here for two years - the first year was good the second year was absolutely horrible. Multiple students were expelled due to bringing weapons to school & other offenses. The school also has MAJOR issues with favoritism & the students know it. If a parent volunteers alot or parent is a teacher, then child is hardly ever disciplined & rarely gets in trouble. Other children get disciplined but not to the extent that this school is well controlled. Teachers are good but not very organized, they do not post grades in a timely manner nor do they update the parents when students are struggling. Now the grading system in my opinion is very poor, I am paying for my child to get an above than average education & personally this is average. Everyone is NOT an A/B student but over 75% of the students are on the A/B honor roll. This tells me the curriculum is not hard enough to challenging 75% of the students. If I didn't want my child challenged then I wouldn't pay money for him to go to school (that's what public school is for). This is probably the one issue that disturbs me the most. Average school but not great school. I cannot recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I put my kids at Village because I was let down by the scores at the public schools. I love the teachers overall but the administration has some issues. They do not address problems like bullying and drugs at the school. Even if a complaint is made, they try to skirt the issue and pretend it doesn't exist. The school office is HARD to reach during the day. I have called many times with no answer and no return call for hours. It's a good thing they weren't emergencies. Academics are comparable to a GOOD public school. Teachers show true concern and compassion for the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Village Christian Academy is one of the best schools I have put my daughter in. I pulled her out of public school, and placed her into Village. My daughter went to Village for two years and graduated. It is true that you have to go through Renweb for some things, however if you are active with the school, calling/e-mailing the teachers, and speaking with the principal you will find that it is a lot easier to stay on top of things if you have a high schooler. My daughters first quarter was not easy, it does take a while to transition into the school, but with the school being smaller than public school it was easier for my daughter to know her classmates. The teachers are very willing to give extra help if needed. The school has gone through ups and downs with gaining/losing staff, however every teacher my daughter had helped her every step of the way. The athletics and fine arts are very well organized. The AP program is excellent. My daughter is now in her second semester at Clemson University, before going to Village she never thought she would go to college. Village prepared her well, she grew up to be a well rounded young lady of Christ and Village is part of the reason.
—Submitted by a parent

This school continues to struggle with internal strive, teacher dissatisfaction and behavior issues. I will not send my children here anymore.

I am a student at VCA, and have gone there for quite awhile now. It's a great school overall, and I love it. But I do have to say it has gone down a little since the changes in administration. I don't mean down by education, I mean as far as who they let in, punishments, and student behavior. It still has a great education, AWESOME athletic program, great Fine Arts program. But I would recommend sending your kid there for elementary school, not so much middle or high school.

Village Christian Academy is the worst school you could ever send your child ! Academic standards, atmosphere, discipline, administration and teaching standards are inferior!!!! BEWARE!
—Submitted by a parent

Village provides a quality education without many of the public school pressures and influences.
—Submitted by a parent

Village overall is a good school, not a great school. First and foremost, it is a BAPTIST school, so if you expect that you will not be surprised. Academics are good, but not rigorous enough to call it a college prep curriculum. They need continuity in the school's administration! The high school's math department is weak. Ask them about AP test scores before you enroll your student. Also, I actually heard a middle school teacher say "I don't do computers." Honestly, how can you be a teacher today and not integrate computers into your teaching?!? Even with those issues, I would still say Village is about the best private school Fayetteville has to offer.
—Submitted by a parent

My duaghter attended preschoool at Village before we recieved military orders and had to move. We had a wonderful experience. I cried like a baby when we left. Having moved to Florida and attending public school, we are disapointed in the subpar quality of education. My daughter is simply reviewing what she learned last yr at Village. I would recommend this school to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a ton better than public. It's safer, cleaner, and gives good education on not only school required teaching but also God. I recommend it greatly to all my public schoo friends.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my second year attending VCA (I am now in the 7th grade), and I am very pleased with it. The faculty is amazing and I don't have any problems with anything. Sometimes it does get hectic with communication between students and teachers, but its still a great school!
—Submitted by a student

I attended Village Christian Academy for 5 years, from 6th grade to my junior year, and overall it was a great experience for me until I started having problems with the administration. The amount of communication from the school to parents is very little, and the discipline techniques used are either not enough or to the extremes, even to the point of humiliating students. It is a very thin line you must walk to fit in here, or you will be singled out. There are not enough opprtunities(like extracurricular clubs,etc.) to really branch out on, and it seems like they are trying to make you conform to a certain mold.
—Submitted by a student