Valley Christian School was founded in the fall of 1975 as a part of the vision of Pastor Tom Starr. A staff of five instructed thirty-five students, grades 2-11 using the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) individualized curricular program.
In the fall of 1978 Valley Christian School was incorporated within the ministry of Valley Fourth Memorial Church. In the ensuing years, through prayer and perseverance, the school expanded to support PreK-12 grade programs utilizing a traditional curricular approach.
In September 1992 Valley Christian School began its Home School satellite program to assist parents who choose to homeschool their children. The program offered an initial home visit followed by monthly conferences with a certified teacher, help with curriculum decisions, workshops and annual testing. One day per week elementary enrichment classes as well as core junior and senior high classes have been added since.
In 1995 the school pursued and was granted accreditation through the Association of Christian Schools International using the ACSI Evaluation Criteria Instrument. Northwest Association of Schools of Colleges and Universities also recognized the school’s accreditation status.
In 2003 VCS went through a re-accreditation process using the ACSI “By School Progress” model. In 2010 VCS achieved its third accreditation through ACSI using the “REACH” model for continuous school improvement. In 2016, accreditation was renewed with both ACSI and AdvancEd.
God continued to bless VCS with continual growth and the School Commission submitted a request in April 2001 to the Valley Fourth Memorial Church Elder Board requesting the school be granted independent status as a 501C3 not-for-profit organization. The Elder Board voted unanimously to approve the request.
In November 2001, the State of Washington approved the application process and Valley Christian School as an independent organization. The “Commission” became the official Board of Directors for the independent Spokane Valley Christian School.
In 2005 the secondary campus found a new home at our current location at the old University High School. In the fall of 2009 the elementary moved from Valley Assembly of God leased location and joined the secondary and were united on one campus as a K-12 school for the first time in 16 years. In the fall of 2010, the VCS Home School Program also made the move from its leased space at Berean Bible Church to the K-12th grade campus where all school programs have been united. VCS proudly launched a preschool program and innovative 4 day school week schedule in the fall of 2013.
In July of 2017, Valley Christian School purchased the facility it had leased for the past 12 years and for the first time in 43 years established a permanent home. The property was a surplus public high school that sits on 22 acres with a total of 155,700 sq. of space. Plans to develop the facility and expand the VCS Community are part of the ongoing strategic plan of the school.
Over the past 40 plus years the distinguishing traits of Valley Christian School include a committed and focused school board, a dedicated administrative team with high standards and strong convictions, a professional staff, supportive and loyal parents, and an enthusiastic student body. The school has sought to provide Bible-centered instruction, family-like atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, a challenging curriculum, outreach service projects, a broad spectrum of extracurricular activities and athletic opportunities, and tutorial assistance through its Directed Studies Department.
The school’s mission is to continue providing quality education, developing, supporting and training a biblical worldview in the life of each student and preparing them for service to God and others. This challenge calls parents, faculty and the local church together to enable Valley Christian School to minister to this generation for Christ and lay the foundations for life.
