Over the past 25 years, Aliso Viejo Christian School (AVCS) has not only earned a reputation for academic excellence but is also known as a school dedicated to nurturing a child’s talent and Christian character through various enrichment opportunities. AVCS is one of the area’s most highly rated schools, accredited by ACSI and WASC.
It is our mission at AVCS, to guide our students’ hearts, inspire their minds, and transform their lives.
“We do our very best to encourage our students to develop their God-given gifts. You can trust that your children are being loved in a safe and nurturing environment,” says Mrs. Kalyn Peterson, Head of Schools. “Our various enrichment programs include athletics, vocal instruction and instrumental music, drama and theater, technology, foreign language, and more!
A rotation of enrichment classes in grades JK through 5th allow students to explore their interests and try everything! According to Education Week, exposing young people to art and culture can have a big impact on their development and success.[1]
Art & Drama Enrichment
Students in grades JK through 5 experience bi-weekly Art and Drama studio classes with our specialized instructor Mrs. Darlene Deford. In grades 6 through 8, students can elect to take Art and Drama as an elective! “One of the best parts of my job as an art and drama teacher in a Christian school is I get to pray for and with our children and have the freedom to teach the students the importance of using their God given gifts and talents,” says Deford.
AVCS offers an after-school Drama program that performs at least one amazing musical production annually. These performances have included Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and more! Our campus has an amazing event center and stage that is transformed into a Broadway-style theater experience for everyone to enjoy.
Enrichment through art and drama are excellent ways for children to express themselves and gain confidence. “Having the drama program at AVCS has enriched my daughter in both acting and singing, as well as in gaining confidence on stage in front of her peers. It’s amazing the “Broadway-type” show, with all the costumes and sets, that is put on every year!” said AVCS Parent Sari Jekums.
Music Enrichment
AVCS boasts a solid instrumental music program available to grades JK-5th grade. In grades 6-8th, our students may elect to participate in our Concert Band and/or Orchestra enrichment classes.
“Music is an important part of our student’s education here at AVCS. My only goal with music education is to see the students foster a love and understanding for music and to be able to use music to express themselves as the individuals that God made them,” says Mr. Jake Marsh, 4th-8th grade music teacher.
“The music program at AVCS is fantastic and gave my son experience with different types of instruments, until he found what suited him best. I’m grateful that he had many years of participating in both orchestra and band. With classes 3 days a week in MS he was able to learn quickly and enjoyed performing in the semi-annual concerts,” says Jekums.
Foreign Language
In addition to the arts having many positive effects on children in their elementary and middle school years, many studies have shown that exposure to foreign language during these years promotes cognitive development and provides several advantages to children that speak more than one language. Those advantages include higher academic achievement, increased empathy for others, a better understanding of others, and better career opportunities. [2]
“I am extremely passionate about foreign languages,” says Mrs. Dorothy Perez, JK-8th Spanish teacher. “My hope is to instill the same love that I have for foreign languages into our AVCS students and continue to empower them with not only a second language, but also with cross-cultural knowledge that will benefit them in their future studies.”
Computer Technology
Technology enrichment classes enhance individual skills and independence by utilizing real-world problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity helping students gain a sense of independence. [3]
In computer technology classes with Mrs. Annette Sabatasso, students as young as Junior Kindergarten begin learning keyboarding and drawing. By 3rd grade students are making presentations in PowerPoint. Students learn research techniques and most importantly, internet safety!
“I am so excited to be a part of a community that not only develops skills and a love of learning but develops students’ understanding of their faith in God and a deeper love for Jesus on a daily basis,” says Sabatasso.
Athletic Program
Developing the whole child wouldn’t be complete without our outstanding Athletic Program at AVCS.
“Building Christ-like character in our student athletes is a cornerstone and main focal point in our athletic program here at AVCS,” says Mr. Tyler Knight, athletic director and Middle School PE Teacher. “We recognize that every student has unique gifts and abilities that we want to help foster and develop. At AVCS, we strive to give our students the opportunities to be able to discover their God given gifts.”
One of the highlights of our athletic program is watching students have the opportunity to try new sports. “As a parent, I love that my club soccer daughter gets to try cross country, volleyball and basketball. And my tackle football son gets to try soccer and track and field,” parent, Janet Meyers exclaims.
“In my time here at AVCS, I have seen students who had never played a sport, but were encouraged here to try something new, advance to lead their teams at a high school and collegiate levels,” says Knight. “One of the strengths of AVCS is creating opportunities for all students to discover new passions and abilities while also encouraging them to use their gifts that God has blessed them with.”
While it is expected that your child receives an academic education when they attend elementary and middle school, not every school offers the opportunities to develop the whole child academically, spiritually, and culturally, from a young age.
The choice you make for your children’s education shapes them academically, spiritually, and in their worldview and skills. At Christian schools, the faculty and staff are equipped to address each of these developing areas of a child’s life. These schools take seriously the responsibility to develop children’s minds, but they don’t distance God from academics. They know that developing skills in young people is essential to helping them reach their God-given potential [4].
At AVCS, you can trust that your children are being loved in a safe and nurturing environment.
From weekly chapels and hands-on outreach ministry activities to school wide fun family events, AVCS is a community under Christ, a place where people get a sense of value and belonging. A place where we guide hearts, inspire minds, and transform lives.
We invite you to visit our campus! Please contact our office at (949) 389-0300 or visit our website at alisoviejochristianschool.org to schedule a tour.
- https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-arts-education-matters-we-know-we-measured-it/2014/12
- https://languagekids.com/why-your-child-should-learn-a-second-language/
- https://stemeducationguide.com/the-importance-of-stem-in-childhood-education/
- https://www.acsi.org/membership/why-christian-schooling