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About Calvary Chapel Schools

A Rich History

Welcome to Calvary Chapel Schools (CCS) and thanks for visiting us! CCS is a ministry of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (CCCM) and is made up of four schools: Calvary Chapel Preschool (CCP), Calvary Chapel Elementary School (CCES), Calvary Chapel Middle School (CCMS), and Calvary Chapel High School (CCHS). Our mission is to build tomorrow's Christian leaders today with a passion for excellence. When Pastor Chuck Smith founded CCCM church in 1970, he ushered in an era of Christian revival. CCS was an outgrowth of that revival. In response to a desire of church families to educate their children with excellence and biblical values, Maranatha Christian Academy (now CCES and CCMS) began in 1973, offering education for K-8th grade. Fourteen years later, Calvary Chapel High School was added to further meet the educational, social, and spiritual needs of the children from the CCCM church body. The high school was designed to provide students with a challenging and comprehensive college preparatory program to develop competence in Bible, English, mathematics, science, fine arts, foreign language, history, and physical education.

In 2014, Pastor Chuck Smith went home to be with the Lord and Pastor Brian Brodersen stepped into the role of Senior Pastor in his place continuing to lead the church and school bodies in the way of the Lord. This year, in the 2022-2023 school year, CCES and CCMS will celebrate 50 years of excellence in education and CCHS will celebrate its 35th anniversary.

Since its humble beginnings in 1973, CCS has continued to grow, by God’s grace, and impact our community in various wonderful ways. CCS has a rich history as a major ministry of CCCM and is honored to continue to be life-long learners who continue to grow not only in faith but in their careers.

Why Calvary Chapel Schools?

Calvary Chapel Schools is unique because of its history, community, and educational offering.  As a parent or guardian looking for a biblically focused, outstanding education for your student, we are committed to preparing him/her for college, career, and life. We offer an excellent educational experience from preschool through high school all housed on one campus. Here are a few of the reasons why CCS is distinctive in Christian Education:

  • CCS teaches from a theologically-sound, biblically-accurate perspective. Knowing that in recent times many churches and schools have drifted away from the doctrine of the Bible and the true teachings of Jesus, CCS continues the tradition of teaching from a Biblical worldview that is true to scripture.

  • CCS is a comprehensive offering for your family’s educational needs. Whatever your children’s ages, CCS has a place for them. CCS students beginning in preschool generally continue their education with us through high school. If you are a parent with children of differing ages and grade levels, you drive to one campus with one educational system. CCS makes it uncomplicated for you, one campus with four separate schools.

  • CCS has competitive tuition rates. As tuition rates rise across the country and California, parents often struggle to afford private school tuition for their students. CCS has competitive tuition rates for an exceptional educational experience.

  • CCS has a down-to-earth, family-centered culture. Parents understand that the culture of a school is vitally important. At CCS, we are proud of our culture which values and emulates the teachings of Jesus - love and truth combined with grace and justice. Our leadership and staff value people, causing us to create an atmosphere that creates community. 

  • CCS upholds Biblical standards. Recognizing our students are on a journey of faith, and with respect and guidance for their journey, we do not require professions of faith by our students in order to attend our school. However, we require our students to respect and uphold the biblical standards set forth by our school leadership. 

  • CCS is the ideal size for optimal learning. With an 18:1 student-to-teacher ratio, CCS is small enough for our students to receive the individual attention they need and large enough to provide our students with a variety of opportunities and extra-curricular activities.

VALUES

We value PEOPLE by showing kindness, courtesy, and respect because they are created in the image of God and Christ died for each one.

We pursue continual personal GROWTH beyond temporary achievements with curiosity, grit, and self-reflection.

We COLLABORATE by being engaged, positive, and creative, working together for our common goals.

We LEAD by being ready, prepared, and willing to do what needs to be done first.

We seek to GLORIFY GOD by reflecting His character and representing Him in word, action, and attitude. 

MISSION STATEMENT

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. - Ephesians 4:11-13

Calvary Chapel Schools’ vision of building tomorrow’s Christian leaders today is accomplished through our mission.  Our mission is to engage, equip and empower students to lead and serve in Christ and the world. Students will acquire wisdom, knowledge, and a Biblical worldview to be servant leaders in the 21st century as evidenced by both their understanding and application of the truth and skills they have learned. 

STATEMENT OF FAITH
 
God
We believe that there is one living and true God, who exists in three persons as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All equal in power and authority, the Godhead is the Creator, sustainer, and governor of all things.
2 Corinthians 13:14: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
 
Bible
We believe that God has communicated to us through the Old and New Testaments, which are true and without error. Scripture is the foundation of our individual lives and the blueprint for His church.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
 
Creation
We believe that God created our world and gave it life. He is the Maker, who by simply speaking brought everything into existence and tasked humanity to care for it.
Colossians 1:16: For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
 
Jesus
We believe that God became man so that we might be reconnected to Him. As a man, Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled this mission by His death and resurrection, and as God, remains the object of our worship.
Isaiah 9:6, For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 
Salvation
We believe that God invites everyone to entrust their lives to Jesus Christ. This act of faith initiates God graciously giving us spiritual birth, a place in His family, purpose in this life, and residency with Him forever.
John 1:12-13: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
 
Church
We believe that God has formed a universal community from those who follow Him. We are connected to each other locally, where we gather to worship Him, be taught by Him, and be sent by Him.
Ephesians 2:19-22: Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
 
Life
We believe that God has given us His Spirit to have the liberty, power, and wisdom to live every day for Him. The believer who yields to His presence will experience the supernatural in all areas of life.
John 14:12-13: Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
SCHOOL WIDE LEARNING GOALS - SLGs
 
Communication
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication “From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.”  Proverbs 16:23 

Comprehension
Demonstrate the ability to know and comprehend course materials “Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.” Job 13:1
 
Cooperation
Demonstrate cooperation by working together to accomplish shared goals “For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4-6a
 
Creativity
Demonstrate creative initiative through the inventive use of resources “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying. ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.  Enter into the joy of the lord.’ Matthew 25:20-21
 
Critical Thinking
Demonstrate the ability to collect, analyze and apply information using critical thinking skills “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding.” Proverbs 2:2  All subjects at Calvary Chapel High School are taught from a Biblical worldview as defined by the Calvary Chapel Statement of Faith

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of Calvary Chapel Schools is intrinsically aligned to that of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa where the supreme desire is to know Christ and to be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that bringing up a child in the likeness of Christ is primarily the responsibility and Biblical duty of the parent(s). Therefore, our school exists to assist in that education, without diminishing the parents’ integral role. We strive to give students the skills to be productive citizens, but most importantly to nurture a relationship with Jesus Christ and to be an accurate

SCHOOL PROFILE 

The school profile provides information regarding the performance of our students, our mission statement, our community, and our staff.  Standardized test scores and AP results are also included in our profile.  Our students have matriculated to many of the top colleges and universities across the country including the Air Force Academy, Azusa Pacific, Baylor, Biola, Boston College, Boston University, Cal Baptist, Chapman, Cornell, Harvard, USC, Rutgers, Stanford, the Naval Academy, and many more. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Guidance Office at (714) 662-7485.