For families in Alum Rock, East Foothills, Berryessa, and the surrounding East San Jose neighborhoods, the frustrations with local school options are familiar. Overcrowded classrooms where your child is one of 30 or more. Limited individual attention from teachers stretched too thin. A curriculum that may check the boxes on state standards but doesn't go deeper. And a nagging feeling that there should be more — more rigor, more personal investment, more intentional development of the values and character that matter to your family.
East Valley Christian School has been answering those concerns for more than 40 years, right here in the East San Jose community. Located in the Evergreen area, EVCS offers faith-integrated academic programs that combine college-preparatory rigor with biblical worldview integration, small class sizes where every student is known, and enrichment programs that develop the whole child. For East San Jose families who refuse to settle for less, this is the school that delivers both the academics and the values your children deserve.
TL;DR: EVCS offers East San Jose families a college-preparatory, faith-integrated education with the BJU Press and Ignitia curricula, 15:1 class sizes, dual WASC/ACSI accreditation, and enrichment in Spanish and coding. Serving Alum Rock, East Foothills, Berryessa, and surrounding communities for over 40 years.
Academic Rigor Grounded in Faith
The academic foundation at EVCS is the BJU Press Curriculum from Bob Jones University — a nationally recognized program that delivers depth, critical thinking development, and systematic skill building across every core subject.
For K–8 students, the curriculum covers:
- Language Arts: systematic phonics, literature across genres, writing in multiple formats, grammar, vocabulary, public speaking, and research skills
- Mathematics: computational mastery, problem-solving, real-world applications, and progressive advancement through algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus
- Science: hands-on experiments, scientific method, life/physical/earth science, chemistry, physics, and STEM integration
- History and Social Studies: world and American history, government, economics, geography, primary source analysis, and current events
- Bible and Theology: a core academic subject taught with the same rigor as every other discipline, including systematic Scripture study, biblical interpretation, and age-appropriate apologetics
For high school (9th–12th grade), the Ignitia curriculum provides mastery-based, interactive learning with college preparatory standards, honors options, and personalized pacing that allows advanced learners to move ahead while ensuring every student achieves genuine understanding.
Biblical worldview integration doesn't replace academic content: it enriches it. Students learn to examine history through the lens of justice and human dignity, explore the ethics of scientific discovery alongside the methodology, and analyze literature's deepest themes through a coherent moral framework. The result is students who don't just know information. They know how to think: across disciplines, with nuance, and with the ability to articulate their reasoning clearly.
This curriculum meets or exceeds California state standards, confirmed by EVCS's dual WASC and ACSI accreditation: the highest level available in California for a private Christian school.
Why East San Jose Families Choose EVCS
The reasons families from Alum Rock, East Foothills, and Berryessa choose EVCS often begin with a specific frustration: class sizes in the local public schools that make individual attention nearly impossible. When your child is one of 30+ students in a classroom, even the most dedicated teacher struggles to provide the personalized support that makes the difference between a student who's getting by and a student who's truly thriving.
At EVCS, the student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1. That smaller setting changes everything about how education is delivered:
- Every student is known by name: teachers understand each child's learning style, strengths, and areas for growth
- Differentiated instruction: advanced learners are challenged while students who need additional support receive it, all within the same classroom
- Meaningful feedback: students get personal attention on their writing, problem-solving, and conceptual understanding, not just a grade
- Mentoring relationships: teachers with an average tenure of 14+ years (many exceeding 20 years) invest in students as individuals, not just as academic outputs
Parent Sandra V. captured what this investment looks like from a family's perspective: "This is the best decision we could have made for our son's education. He was in Kinder and he is now reading and writing, counting to 100 and learning about God. Teachers are very friendly and invested in teaching your child to become the best of the best."
That kind of investment — teachers who are "friendly and invested" in helping every child become their best — is what East San Jose families find when they visit EVCS. It's the difference small class sizes and experienced, committed faculty make every single day.
Enrichment Programs That Develop the Whole Student
Academic excellence is the foundation, but the programs that extend beyond the core curriculum are where students develop into well-rounded, confident young people ready for leadership.
At EVCS, enrichment and co-curricular programs include:
- Spanish language instruction: beginning in elementary school and continuing through middle school, building bilingual communication skills during the optimal developmental window
- Coding program: computational thinking, logic, and problem-solving progressing from visual block-based activities in younger grades to text-based programming languages
- STEM clubs: hands-on science and engineering challenges that extend classroom learning into creative application
- Newspaper and yearbook: real-world writing, design, and teamwork experience
- Student government: planning events, representing peers, leading service initiatives, and developing public speaking and organizational skills
- Leadership retreats and workshops: structured training that builds character, confidence, and servant leadership
- Service learning: community-focused projects that develop compassion and apply classroom values to real-world needs
These programs build the skills — collaboration, communication, problem-solving, leadership — that complement the core curriculum and prepare students for success in college, career, and community.
College Preparation from Elementary Through High School
At EVCS, college readiness isn't a last-minute initiative. It's built into the educational experience from the earliest grades, with each stage preparing students for the next:
Elementary (K–5th): Strong academic foundations in reading, writing, math, and science. Development of study habits, organizational skills, and a love of learning. Introduction to Spanish and coding enrichment.
Middle School (6th–8th): Increased academic rigor and independence. Expanded leadership opportunities through student government, peer mentoring, and service projects. Development of research skills, analytical writing, and collaborative problem-solving.
High School (9th–12th): College preparatory coursework through the Ignitia curriculum with mastery-based learning, honors options, and personalized pacing. SAT/ACT preparation, individualized college counseling, and guidance in discovering strengths and potential career paths. Leadership roles and community service that strengthen both character and college applications.
The advantage EVCS graduates carry into college extends beyond their transcripts. Years of biblical worldview integration have taught them to evaluate ideas critically, engage with diverse perspectives, and articulate their reasoning: skills that many first-year college students are still developing.
A Community Built for East San Jose Families
EVCS has been part of the East San Jose community for over four decades, serving families from Alum Rock, East Foothills, Berryessa, Evergreen, Silver Creek, and surrounding neighborhoods. The campus is centrally located and easily accessible from across the East San Jose area.
The school's PreK-through-12 structure means one campus for every child in your family: from preschool through high school graduation. No switching schools after elementary, no re-enrollment applications, no rebuilding relationships at a new campus. One community, one set of teachers who know your children by name, and one drop-off location no matter how many kids you have.
EVCS welcomes families from all backgrounds. The school community reflects the diversity of East San Jose, and every family is treated with warmth, respect, and genuine investment in their children's future.
Scholarship and Financial Aid Options
An advanced, faith-integrated education should be accessible to every family who values it. EVCS tuition is approximately $900 per month — less than half of what many comparable private schools charge. For families who need additional support, multiple options are available:
- FACTS Scholarship: need-based financial aid for qualifying families
- The BASIC Fund: scholarship support for new students enrolling for the first time
- CalWORKs: assistance for eligible families
- Sibling discount: 10% off tuition for each additional child enrolled
- Refer-a-Friend: $200 tuition credit when both families enroll
- Flexible payment plans: annual, monthly, and customized options
Visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships page for complete details, or contact us to discuss your family's specific situation in a confidential conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes EVCS's curriculum different from public schools in East San Jose?
EVCS uses the BJU Press Curriculum (K–8) and Ignitia (high school): nationally recognized programs that meet or exceed state standards while integrating a biblical worldview that adds critical thinking depth across every subject. Combined with a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio (compared to 25:1 or 30:1 in many public schools), experienced faculty with average tenure exceeding 14 years, and enrichment programs in Spanish and coding, the educational experience is substantially different from what most East San Jose public schools can offer in terms of both depth and individual attention.
Is EVCS accredited?
Yes. EVCS holds dual accreditation from WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). This is the highest level of accreditation available in California for a private Christian school and confirms that the school meets rigorous standards for academic quality and faith-based educational integrity.
What are the class sizes at EVCS?
EVCS maintains a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio across grade levels. This is significantly smaller than most East San Jose public schools, allowing for personalized instruction, differentiated support, meaningful teacher-student relationships, and a school culture where every student is known individually.
How can East San Jose families schedule a tour?
You can schedule a private tour by visiting our contact page or calling (408) 270-2525 during office hours (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday). During your visit, you'll tour the campus, observe classroom instruction, meet our faculty, and discuss how our faith-integrated academic programs can serve your child. We welcome families from Alum Rock, East Foothills, Berryessa, and all surrounding East San Jose neighborhoods.
Experience the Difference for Your Family
For more than 40 years, East San Jose families have trusted EVCS to provide the academic excellence, individual attention, and values-based education their children deserve. We invite you to see it for yourself. Schedule your tour today and discover what faith-integrated academics look like in action.
