OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

Since 1935

Dear Potential Candidate,

Thank you for considering the Superintendent position at Valley Christian Schools. Valley Christian is a community rich with both generations of heritage and new families alike. All are joined together with the passion to equip and inspire our children and grandchildren to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

The path of VC Schools has been and continues to be an incredible journey with God present every step of the way. What started as a small school in “Dairy Valley” has grown to be an impressive Preschool through Twelfth Grade School System attracting many wonderful families from two of the largest counties in the nation. Within this system you will find a very experienced, qualified, and dedicated faculty, a board that is eager to serve, and a community that is passionate for the future of our children.

VC Schools is looking for a strong leader to take us into the next chapters of the VC Story. Our next Superintendent should be enthusiastic about working in a diverse community that is passionate about providing our children a quality education from a Reformed Christian perspective.

It is our intent that this Valley Christian Schools Profile will give you a glimpse of our school, our community, and the qualities needed from our next leader. Know we are praying for you as you consider the opportunity to serve as the next Superintendent for Valley.

Sincerely,

Brad Struiksma President, Valley Christian Schools

WELCOME OUR MISSION:

Our Commitment: In the light of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the authority of God’s word, we will educate each unique student in cooperation with the Christian community so that he or she is equipped and inspired to

make a difference for Jesus Christ in the world.

This is place holder text pulled from our old doc…Valley Christian Schools is seeking an experienced administrator and visionary leader with a Reformed perspective to serve as Superintendent beginning in July 2014. The Superintendent will lead VCS into the future, continuing the school’s tradition of excellence in academics and all co-curricular activities.

GREATER L.A. LIVING

Valley Christian Schools is located in beautiful Cerritos, a suburban oasis of Los Angeles County. Los Angeles is home to over 24 million people from 140 different countries, making Los Angeles a true cultural melting pot. The Southern California Basin is home to many fun and special places for weekend warriors, lifelong learners, and culinary connoisseurs. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are just a few miles away. We are minutes from the beach and a short drive from the mountains. Los Angeles is also home to two presidential libraries. Just 19 miles from downtown Los Angeles, we offer a wide variety of cultural experiences, including over 100 different museums, the Hollywood Bowl, Pantages Theater, and more. If sports is your thing, LA is home to numerous major league sports teams and stadiums, as well as year-round opportunities for youth instructional leagues and adult recreational sports. Fine arts lessons, community ensembles, excellent golf courses and hiking trails are also staples of L.A. living.

Southern California's year-round temperate weather (a daily average of 72 degrees) and our yearly average of 292 days of sunshine allow for many days of exploring all that we have to offer. Our next superintendent will find the communities that surround Valley Christian Schools to be a hub of cultural diversity with a unique

LA blend of urban development and natural beauty. 

OUR STORY In the early 1930s, a society of like-minded individuals came together with the intent of starting a Christian school within the community.  Using the concept of “church, home, school”, there began a commitment to nurture every student academically, socially, and spiritually. In 1935, a school building was completed and Bellflower Christian Schools became a reality for 119 students; by 1943, BCS had a class of graduated seniors. Because of the foresight of early BCS school boards and the financial help of the community as a whole, Valley Christian Schools (renamed in 2004) has 4 separate campuses, preschool through high school, and 40 fully-owned acres. 

The school first served a mostly agricultural community; today, VCS is in a diverse area which the community of the school reflects. More than 200 churches are represented; although VCS is independent of any particular church, we have a long and deep relationship with thirteen partner churches in the area. We have been accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) since 1965, and are currently in our second 6-year term, the longest term awarded by WASC. Our schools stand as a testament to God’s power and faithfulness to people who love, serve, and act upon His will. 

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

~Psalm 100:5

Caucasian 43%

African American 15%

Latino 15%

Asian 13%

Pacific Islanders 2%

Multiple 9%

Other 3%

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

Christian Worldview: We believe that God has called his people to bring peace and transformation into the fallen world. Thus, we seek to equip children with the knowledge of how to live in the world. 

Sanctification: We believe that from the moment of regeneration, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are enabled to live a life of increasing holiness in conformity to the will of God, becoming more like Jesus Christ as they grow in faith. 

Final Things: We believe that at the appointed time, Jesus Christ will return in power and glory to condemn the unrepentant to eternal hell and receive his elect unto eternal life. Until that Day, believers are called to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed as all things are brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. 

Reformed Distinctives: Valley Christian Schools embraces a theological position from a historic reformed perspective as articulated in the Belgic Confession, The Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dort.

Scripture: We believe that the 66 Books of the Bible are the inspired and infallible Word of God and serve as the only rule for faith and practice. 

God: We believe there is one living, true, omnipotent and omnipresent God who has eternally existed in three distinct persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Man: We believe that man was created directly and intentionally by God, in His own image and likeness. Adam, as the representative of all humanity, fell into sin, resulting in the inherited sin nature of his offspring. Because of the natural inclination to sin, man is unable to save himself and must be redeemed by Christ. 

Salvation: We believe that salvation is freely given by God, granted through the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone. 

The Covenant of Grace: We believe that God enters into covenant with believers and, as He did with Abraham, includes the children of believers in this covenant. These children bear a special relationship to God and possess a special responsibility. 

OUR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

VCES AVERAGE: 200.8

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 193.8

Reading: Math:

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 199.9

Language:

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 204.6

VCES AVERAGE: 206.5 VCES AVERAGE: 210.7

Reading & Writing:

VCHS AVERAGE: 571

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Math:

VCMS AVERAGE: 236.6

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 229.8

Reading:

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 219.2

VCMS AVERAGE: 224.7

MEAN GPA: 3.475

MILITARY: 3%

COLLEGE MATRICULATION: 96% college attendance

80%: 4-yr colleges 16%: 2-yr colleges. CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 531

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 538

Math:

VCHS AVERAGE: 581

CALIFORNIA AVERAGE: 528

NATIONAL AVERAGE: 533

HIGH SCHOOL

(MAPS Standardized Test Score Averages)

(MAPS Standardized Test Score Averages)

(SAT Data Averages)

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

OUR DISTINCTIVES

Commitment to Fine Arts: Our ES - HS music and art teachers collaborate to create enriching programs that develop the abilities in all students. This includes Broadway Showcase, now in it’s 21st year, students TK-12 display their skills in the arts.

After School Classes & Exploratories: From chess, theatre, science, and skateboarding at the elementary campus to apologetics, interior design, and personal finance at the middle school, we want our students to explore new activities as they find their passions.

Robotics Program: Beginning in 4th grade students have the opportunity to experience robotics by joining the First Lego League with a competitive program at the high school level.

Service Learning: All campuses foster service to those inside the classroom and outside in the community. The HS Service Leadership class partners with community outreach programs and Zuni Christian Mission School in Rehoboth, NM.

Integration of Faith: Faculty, staff and students are called to do all to the glory of God in every aspect of campus life - in the classroom or in competition, on the playground or in the bus.

Daily Devotions and Weekly Chapels: Every teacher has devotions with their students in the morning and each campus meets together for weekly chapels. 

Harvest Festival: Gathering of the whole community for an evening of games, food, fun and fellowship.

Sports: Are offered year round with 14 different teams to choose from at the high school level, 8 at the middle school, 3 at the elementary, and 10 summer camps.

Grandparents Day: Gives an opportunity for extended family to visit our Preschool and Elementary campus for a time of fun and fellowship with their grandchildren.

LOVE & FAITH IN ACTION DEVELOP THE WHOLE CHILD

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Ensure that Valley Christian does not waver from its mission.

• Build an employee culture that defends the school mission through a staff aligned to a Reformed worldview.

• Use a systematic process to evaluate and continually improve the performance of students, teachers, administrators, staff, buildings programs, marketing and the school system as a whole in order to deliver a world class Christian education.

• Advise and inform the Board with clarity and wisdom.

• Grow enrollment and ensure retention of existing students.

• Lead fundraising strategy and efforts. Develop and maintain relationships with donors.

• Sustain Valley Christian through effective use of finances, partnerships, and programs.

• Serve as the primary external liaison for Valley Christian School. Build a strong Christian community in the area by engaging families and churches through communication, school representation, and school service projects.

• Solidify Valley Christian as the local Christian school of choice.

If after reading this Opportunity Profile you have interest in the position, you are invited to fill out the attached application and submit your resume for consideration to the Chairman of the Valley Christian Transition Team at super_applications@vcschools.org

• Successful professional executive experience in a Christian academic institution is preferred.

• Possess experience in strategic planning, academic programming, finance, hiring, fund raising, and Board relations.

OVERVIEW

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS REQUIREMENT

RESPONSIBILITIES Valley Christian Schools is seeking an experienced administrator and visionary leader with a Reformed perspective to serve as Superintendent beginning in July 2020. The Superintendent will lead VCS into the future, continuing the school’s tradition of excellence in academics and all co-curricular activities.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS 1. Christian Character/Integrity/Trust

2. Decision Quality/Managing Vision and Purpose

3. Approachability

4. Organizational Acumen - Strategic/Developing the Team/Courage

5. Board and Donor Relations