FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Calvary Chapel Schools carries a legacy that very few schools in Southern California can match. Founded within the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa church movement, one of the most influential Christian communities of the 20th century, CCS has been forming students in faith and excellence for decades. Beginning at age 2 and extending through every age and stage, CCS is recognized as the most comprehensive PS – 12 school in the Orange County region. Our students benefit not only from an intentionally scaffolded academic environment, but from a deeply rooted spiritual community. We are a school that has faithfully lived out the mission of pouring into this generation for the glory of God for over 50 years and will continue well into the future.
Yes. CCS holds accreditation through WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and ACTS(Association of Christian Teachers and Schools), two highly respected regionally accrediting bodies. CCS is accredited as a brick-and-mortar school and recognized by the California Department of Education as a private school. Our Preschool is licenced by California Child-Care Licensing. Our administrators, faculty, and staff meet and exceed requirements for certification. Annually, CCHS graduates are accepted at select universities, community colleges, and vocational institutes. CCS passed the three-year mid-cycle review with excellence in spring 2026. Our next full self-study cycle is scheduled for 2028-29, reflecting our commitment to ongoing institutional excellence and accountability.
Our students show consistent growth toward and beyond benchmarks as measured by NWEA MAP assessments and other standardized tools. Our focus on growth and taking the next right step academically shapes students to embrace achievement as a long term target. In high school, college-preparatory curriculum, combined with small class sizes and dedicated faculty who know students by name, produces graduates who are academically prepared and personally grounded. Our AP exam scores are consistently well above state and national pass rates. CCS alumni attend universities across the country, many with merit scholarships.
Absolutely, and this is one of the things that makes CCS truly remarkable! The Eagles athletics program begins in fifth grade. We offer competitive court and field sports in middle school. Our Eagles compete in the same CIF leagues as significantly larger public schools, and we hold our own. Our student athletes have earned league titles, CIF playoff appearances, and individual honors across multiple sports. Competing at that level as a small private school requires character, determination, and genuine athletic development. Our coaches invest deeply in student athletes, and the results speak for themselves. If your student has a passion for sports alongside their faith and academics, CCS is a place where those things grow together.
Faith is not a subject at CCS; it is the air we breathe. Scripture, prayer, and a biblical worldview are woven into every classroom, every subject, and our methodologies. Each school year is anchored by a spiritual formation theme that shapes our chapels, our curriculum focus areas, Bible coursework, service projects, and our community life. For 2026-27, our theme is Evergreen, with a focus on Ephesians 3:16 – 18 encouraging our students to remain rooted in God’s love and hold fast through life’s storms.
CCS serves students from Preschool through 12th grade across four distinct divisions: Discover (Preschool), Rise (Elementary), Engage (Middle School), and Become (High School). Each division has its own identity, leadership, and developmentally appropriate programming, while sharing a unified mission and culture. Students grow up together here, and that continuity builds something special they carry beyond our campus and into adult life.
Tuition varies by division and grade level. We are committed to making a CCS education accessible to as many families as possible, and financial assistance options are available. We encourage families to contact our Admissions office directly for current tuition rates, fee schedules, and information about applying for aid. We want cost to be a conversation, not a barrier.
We believe character is formed, not just expected. Our approach to student development is restorative, relational, consistent, and grounded in grace with accountability. We hold students to clear standards of conduct, and when those standards are not met, we walk alongside them in growth rather than simply applying consequences. We depend on the values and mission alignment with parents as we work together to shape young hearts, through the growing pains of mistakes and mischief. Our faculty and administrators know students as individuals, and that relationship is the foundation of how we address behavior, encourage growth, and celebrate progress.
CCS families are some of the most engaged and loyal in Orange County, and that is not an accident. When families share a common faith and a common mission for their children, community forms naturally. Our PTF (Parent Teacher Fellowship) is active and welcoming, our events are well-attended, and our alumni families often reflect that their time at CCS was formative not just for their children, but for their whole household. Many families who begin at Discover stay through graduation, and Become.
Our Become division is intentionally designed around the question: who is this student called to be? College counseling, internship and service opportunities, leadership development, and a strong senior year experience all contribute to graduates who are set up to be college-ready and life-ready. We want our students to step into the next chapter with a clear sense of identity, a biblical worldview, and the skills and relationships to flourish.
From athletics and fine arts to student leadership, community service, and special interest clubs, CCS offers a wide range of opportunities for students to explore, discover and develop their gifts. We believe that growth happens in and out of the classroom, and we invest in programs that develop the whole child. Our Calvary Learner Continuum framework ensures that these experiences connect intentionally to each student’s broader development, not just their schedule.
The best first step is to connect with our Admissions team. We offer campus tours, shadow days for prospective middle and high school students, and open houses throughout the year. Our team will walk alongside your family through every step of the application and enrollment process. We would love to welcome you to the CCS community.