MVCS FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN SUCCESS
Mission Viejo, CA – (May 24, 2018) – When Mission Viejo Christian School (MVCS) added a full day kindergarten program to their existing first through eighth grade campus at the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, they had great expectations, but nothing could have prepared them for the overwhelming success of the program in such a short time. This past week MVCS’s kindergarten program received accreditation from both the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Meeting the accreditation standards of these organizations is a rigorous process that typically requires a minimum of a year to complete. MVCS is thrilled that their kindergarten program now joins the rest of the school as ACSI and WASC accredited and is proud to have achieved this status in record time!
Principal Bob Sladek said, “Logistically, we are fortunate to have space on our 11-acre campus to accommodate adding a full-day kindergarten program. In fact, next year we are expanding to two kindergarten classes, both in large classrooms with their own bathroom. We also have a dedicated kindergarten playground right outside their door for use during their lunch period. Our older students have additional playgrounds, blacktop space, and a 5-acre field on the other side of campus. We appreciate that this expansive real estate is a luxury for schools in Southern California in this day and age, and we are thrilled to take full advantage it!”
Principal Sladek continued, “Once we addressed the logistics of providing a safe space for our kindergartners to thrive, we knew we had to move forward. The demand for adding a full-day kindergarten program to our first through eighth grade campus was evident not only from our existing school families, but also from the numerous inquiries we received from people looking for a small to mid-sized Christian school.”
MVCS enrolls just under 400 students from kindergarten through 8th grade, with two to three classes per grade. Small class sizes are a hallmark of the school, with a maximum of twenty students per class in kindergarten (with an instructional assistant in the classroom also) and twenty-five students per class for the subsequent grades. Principal Sladek added, “We are in the sweet spot for school size. Small enough to offer a family atmosphere, where I know each student by name and teachers are able to meet individual social and academic needs; but we are also large enough to incorporate expansive enrichment programs in STEM, performing arts, band, athletics, before and after school care, and extra-curricular programs.”
MVCS’s inaugural full-day kindergarten class is just weeks from graduating and advancing to first grade. Lori Flores, MVCS kindergarten teacher, said, “Teaching kindergarten at MVCS is such a joy! The children have displayed incredible growth both academically and spiritually this year. Whether they are singing and dancing to their sight word songs, investigating and building as engineers during STEM lab, or studying God's word, the kindergarten students are developing a lifelong love for learning. I cannot believe our first year is coming to an end. I am so excited to stay connected to this class and their amazing families as the children continue to excel all the way through 8th grade and into higher education.”
Amy Chaffin, parent of a MVCS kindergartner, commented, “Mission Viejo Christian School has far exceeded our expectations during our first year here. The sense of community and family is present in everything they do. Ms. Flores is nurturing, caring, loving, and is always thinking about what’s best for the children. It’s incredible how much our son has grown and progressed in just one year.”
Hailey Zeilfelder, another MVCS kindergartner parent, added, “Our daughter began the year unsure and a bit behind academically having only attended a two day per week pre-k for one year prior to coming to MVCS. The growth in her as a scholar and a believer has been leaps and bounds. She is leaving kindergarten a confident, curious, literate child with valuable biblical exposure, for this, we are SO grateful.”
Mission Viejo Christians School began 25 years ago as a ministry of Mission Viejo Christian Church and remains committed to its founding mission of educating the whole child and preparing servant leaders for success in high school, college, and future career paths. More information about MVCS is available on the school’s website (https://www.missionviejochristian.com) or by contacting Kari Hollerbach, Assistant Principal and Director of Admissions at 949-465-1950 or [email protected].