High School
Developing Future-Ready Students in the Classroom & Beyond
As the parent of a teen, you understand that their environment matters. Now more than ever, they need intrinsic motivation to excel academically, healthy friendships to thrive socially, and intentional mentorship to grow spiritually. You want them to make the most of their high school experience, but understand that college is right around the corner and preparation for the next step is vital.
At Monte Vista Christian School, our high school program is designed to accomplish both goals, providing a fun and memorable four years and guiding students as they consider college plans, future goals, and most importantly, God’s calling in their lives.
To get the best feel of our program and all we have to offer, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with admissions.
Academic Tracks
At Monte Vista Christian, high schoolers tailor their education to their personal goals. We offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, as well as a Distinguished Diploma Program and a College-Prep Diploma Program. Students can take a variety of honors courses, and even get a jump start on college credits through Dual Enrollment. Our dedicated guidance counselors work with each student individually to assist with course selection and future planning.
Electives & Clubs
We offer a wide variety of electives, allowing students to explore new interests, hone their skills, and build friendships based on shared hobbies. Favorites include 3D Printing & Design Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Robotics, Dance, Sports Performance, Speech & Debate, Yearbook, Entrepreneurship, Film Critique, and Bible Leadership. We also offer a wide variety of interest-based clubs including Creative Writing, Surfing, Photography, and Compassion in Action.
Exceptional Teachers
Our educators share a desire to honor God in their work and invest in their students' lives. MVC high schoolers are truly known by their teachers, a relationship that is foundational to learning and reflects the love of God. We offer small class sizes where students are not only able to receive individual attention academically, but also mentorship to ensure they are doing well emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Athletics & Arts
With 20 high school sports and 9 middle school teams, there is no shortage of opportunity for students to develop teamwork skills, sportsmanship, and Christ-like character. Over 60% of our students are part of an athletic team, and over the past eight years, MVC has had over 50 student-athletes compete at the collegiate level, from D1 through NAIA. Artistic opportunities abound — theatre, visual arts, instrumental and vocal music empower students to pursue their God-given talents and cultivate lifelong passions.
A Roadmap to Success
With four years of rigorous preparation, our graduates are more than prepared for their next step after high school. 98% of MVC graduates go on to college, including some of the most renowned universities around the country. The other 2% pursue military careers, mission work, or vocational/apprenticeship opportunities. We take the time to get to know each student’s strengths, goals, and passions, guiding them through an intentional process of future preparation.
Here is a high-level view of how we guide students from year to year:
9th Grade
At the beginning of high school, every student begins their Monte Vista Christian Four-Year Plan. Guidance counselors introduce each learner to the career planning process, keeping families informed along the way through parent info nights and regular communication.
10th Grade
We assist students as they explore post-high school options — colleges of interest, potential career paths, and other life goals. Parent info nights continue throughout the school year so families can begin preparing for the milestones ahead.
11th Grade
Juniors have regular 1:1 meetings with their guidance counselor to discuss programs that meet their needs and interests. They also enjoy scheduled group sessions focused on college exploration, meet with visiting college reps, and attend info sessions which cover topics such as college testing, scholarship opportunities, and the application process.
12th Grade
Our rising seniors participate in summer programming for college application support as they prepare to apply for admission to their best-fit schools. 1:1 meetings with guidance counselors continue, focusing on making wise decisions regarding post-high school plans and preparing for a smooth transition.
Developing their character and confidence
High school is an exciting season, but it can also be an overwhelming time as teens begin to understand how their actions today will shape their future. We guide our students intentionally as they strengthen their character and values, and develop the self-confidence needed to take the next step.
- Creating safe spaces to fail. We help students recognize that making mistakes is part of the learning process and provide formal opportunities for iteration throughout the semester.
- Encouraging authentic relationships. This is accomplished through small class sizes, weekly advisory time, small group chapels, and community-building activities that allow teachers to be intentional in building relationships.
- Fostering wise choices. We offer positive incentives and opportunities that recognize students for their development as learners, for attributes of a learner, in Christian character, and in their reflection of our school values.
Safety & Security
Your teen’s environment matters, and safety is of utmost importance at Monte Vista Christian School. Our gated campus is located on a secure, 105-acre property on California's beautiful central coast. We are home to day learners from four different counties covering a 30-40 mile radius. Our transportation service provides for at least 50% of those traveling to/from campus each day. Boarding students enjoy a sense of community in an environment that feels like home. We’ve invested in the technology and personnel (security officers, licensed mental health therapist, Care Team, and more) to ensure all students are not only physically safe, but socially and emotionally safe as well.
See for Yourself
Schedule a campus tour and see firsthand why families choose Monte Vista Christian School for their teens. We would love to host your family for Experience MVC, a Friday morning event allowing up to four groups of parents and students to experience life at MVC during a school day. Students can visit classes-in-action with a student ambassador, meet the principal, and learn about athletics, arts, and campus life. Group and private tours are also available.