Valley Christian High School (San Jose, California)

Infobox Private School
name=Valley Christian High School


motto="Quest for Excellence"
established=1956
type=Private
religion=non-denominational Christian
head_name=President
head=Dr. Clifford E. Daugherty, Ed.D
principal=Dr. Joel S. Torode
city=San Jose
state=California
country=United States
campus=Urban
enrollment=1,215
faculty=
class=
ratio=
year=2004
SAT=1080 [http://www.valleychristian.net/administration/Supplemental_docs/super_report.pdf]
athletics=15 sports offered
colors=Navy, Blue, and White
mascot= Warriors of christ
homepage=http://www.valleychristian.net

Valley Christian High School is a secondary school located in San Jose, California. It was founded in 1956 by Dave and Edie Wallace. As of 2006, the school principal is Dr. Joel S. Torode. As of the fall of 1999 the Valley Christian High School and Junior High School have been relocated to the [http://www.valleychristian.net/about/supporting_docs/CampusTour.html Skyway Campus] located in south San Jose after the reopening of Branham High School.

Academic achievements

In 2004, Valley Christian High School received the United States Department of Education No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon award. VCHS is the only private high school in California to receive this award. On top of this, VCHS is one of four high schools in the United States to have received this award. This award recognizes, among other accomplishments, that VCHS students test in the top 10% of the nation, and VCHS simultaneously offers appropriate courses and programs for students who are more academically challenged. Representing Valley Christian's faculty and students, Dr. Torode, Mrs. Marc and Mrs. Keleshian flew to Washington D.C. on November 2, 2004 to receive the award.

In 2006, Valley Christian High School offered 15 Advanced Placement courses. 400 students took these courses and took 800 AP exams. 26.6% of Valley Christian's 2004 Seniors passed at least one AP exam prior to graduation, whereas the California and National averages are 18.7% and 13.2% respectively. The top 10% of the VCHS graduating Class of 2004 achieved scores from 1320 to 1550 out of a possible 1600 on the SAT I.

Athletic achievements

VCHS has a history of sports accomplishments and honors. They are the only non-Catholic members of the West Catholic Athletic League, which they joined in 2003. As of 2006, Valley Christian is a 4-year Championship Title-holder for Varsity Football (2003-2006) in the Central Coast Section. They also hold the 2006 Championship Title for Girls Varsity Soccer. In addition, their Boys Varsity Basketball and Baseball teams were the runner-ups for the CCS Championship Title. The Girls 2006-2007 Varsity basketball team won their first ever CCS championship in the schools history and the boys team took first place in the 36th Annual Stokes tournament in Kelseyville, California. [ [http://www.redwoodtimes.com/sports/ci_7836257 Four H-DNC teams gunning for tourney titles - Redwood Times ] ] They are led by Max Hooper, Kyle Travis, Tim Harris, and Amir Carlisle. The girls volleyball team is also talented, led by nationally ranked Rachel Alvey.In 2007, the Varsity Baseball team broke numerous school records, including their first ever CCC Division-1 Championship and WCAL Championship. Their 33-4 record is the 3rd best in CCS history.Valley Christian's ice hockey team has dominated all competition winning two back to back high school championships since its founding just two years ago.

Marching band and color guard achievements

The VCHS marching band and color guard have over fifteen years of field show competition experience. Throughout the years, they have attained several high-standing achievements, such as winning the top Sweepstakes award in a state competition of sixty other bands in class AAA in 2004 along with winning first place (in class AAA as well) at the Western Band Association's championship competition in 2006. In February 2007, the VCHS marching band and color guard received the chance to be the first marching band in the world to walk down Main Street in Hong Kong Disneyland for the Lunar New Year celebration. While in Asia, the team also performed at three schools and two AIDS orphanages.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni of Valley Christian High School (San Jose) include:
* Mike Rouse, Major League Baseball shortstop player for the Cleveland Indians, was named to the roster in October 2003 for the USA Baseball Olympic Team.
* Zack de la Rocha, class of 1988, Best known as the front man for Rage Against the Machine.
* Ellen Chapman, Miss California USA 2004
* Joy Williams, Christian vocalist
* Ronnie Harris, NFL Football player (Seahawks, Falcons)

References

External links

* [http://www.valleychristian.net/about/ Valley Christian Schools website (San Jose)]
* [http://www.vchsband.org Valley Christian High School Marching Band & Color Guard Official Site]
* [http://vchsband.valituruscross.com Valley Christian High School Marching Band & Color Guard Unofficial Site]
* [http://gowarriors.net/ Valley Christian Warriors Home Page]
* [http://vcsoccer.com Valley Christian Boys Soccer website]