Transportation
.As a service to our families, Valley Christian Schools provides a couple of transportation options to help ease transportation needs. Valley Christian Schools has experienced tremendous growth in recent years. After serving fewer than 300 students just ten years ago, the school has grown to nearly 1,100 students and we are expecting growth in next year’s student body.
We are excited to announce that we are partnering with CharterUp to fulfill our transportation requirements for the 2025-2026 school year. CharterUp is the largest and fastest-growing charter and shuttle bus service provider in North America. CharterUp is contracted with hundreds of schools across the country to satisfy their transportation needs. We look forward to taking advantage of their industry knowledge and consistency. Not only will there no longer be issues with bus breakdowns or unavailable drivers, but CharterUp provides GeoTracking on their buses so you will always know where your students are while in their service. You may learn more by clicking here.
Expand the sections below to read more on each opportunity.
East Valley Bus Service
We are pleased to inform our families that we are not changing any pricing from previous years. The usage rate will continue to be a cost of $150 per student, per month. The cost for 2 or more students in the same household will be $250 per month. Please note this rate is not dependent on actual usage and will not be prorated or refunded. Agreement to transportation services will be contracted with families on a semester basis. Current families will have priority at 2nd semester enrollment.
Mornings:
The East Valley bus service will depart at 7:15 AM sharp from Central Christian Church in Gilbert every school day Monday through Friday and then drop off first at Valley Christian’s High School (Chandler) campus in the courtyard. Then the bus will make its way to the K-8 campus (Tempe).
- Bus pick-up at Central Christian Church (CCC): 7:15 AM Sharp
- Bus arrives at VCS, Chandler Campus (High School): 7:45-7:55 AM
- Bus arrives at VCS, Tempe Campus (K-8): 8:15-8:20 AM
Central Christian Church in Gilbert is located at 965 E Germann Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297
Afternoons:
In the afternoon, students will be able to take our shuttle service back to the High School (if needed). From there, students will be dropped off in the courtyard (if needed); otherwise they will travel back to Central Christian Church in Gilbert by 4:10 PM. All students must be picked up no later than 4:20 PM.
Applications:
To ensure a seat for your student on the bus service for the 2025-26 school year, you must submit an application by no later than June 13th.
Applying allows us to plan accordingly for the 2025-26 transportation needs as well as to confirm your child’s seat in advance of the school year. We will confirm via email that your child has a daily seat on the bus service by June 20th.
Transportation Scholarships:
We want to do all we can to provide a sustainable and affordable solution for our families, so we do have a transportation-specific financial aid option. Families may apply for this option using the same method already in place for “Internal Financial Aid” (visit our “Learn More About Tuition & Financial Aid” page and see “#4: Internal Financial Aid” under the ‘Tuition Assistance & Scholarship Opportunities’ section for more info). Families are invited to complete the same application process; the only additional step is for families to specifically note “Requesting transportation-specific aid.”
Between Campus Shuttle Service
VCS Operated Shuttle
We are excited to officially announce that we will be offering a FREE between campus shuttle service. In the morning this will travel from the High School campus (Chandler) to the K-8 Campus (Tempe), and in the afternoons it will travel from the K-8 to the High School. The shuttle service is free, and will be available based on a priority system to ensure every child using the service confidently has a seat on the shuttle each day. Priority seating will be determined as follows:
- Those that are participating in the East Valley Bus Service.
- Families with students at both campuses.
- Families with multiple students.
- Date of application.
Mornings:
Pick up will happen at the High School Campus (Chandler) in the courtyard. The shuttle will depart at 7:45 AM sharp and then will drop off students at 8:15 to 8:20 AM (barring any major traffic issues which have been sparse) at the K-8 Campus (Tempe) every school day Monday through Friday.
Afternoons:
The shuttle will depart the K-8 Campus at 3:30 PM and then will make a stop at the High School at 3:40 – 3:50 PM dropping off in the courtyard of the High School.
Please apply as soon as possible, but no later than June 13th. We will confirm via email that your student has a daily seat on the shuttle between the High School and K-8 by June 20th.
Free Parking
The cost for parking for high school students and extra curricular activities will continue to remain free as part of our all-in tuition cost.
Student Parking Permit
High School students that are interested in parking at Valley Christian’s High School campus will need to submit an application.
Priority status is given in the following order: seniors first, then juniors, then sophomores. Students must submit a completed application by Friday, July 18th in order to receive priority status.
The parking fee is included in our total cost of education.
The 2025-26 parking application will open at 8:00 AM on July 7th.
Please visit out Parking Permit Application webpage for more information and to apply.
FAQs
Bus Service
How do I sign my student up for the East Valley Bus Service?
Fill out our East Valley Bus Service Application.
Does my student have to take the bus in the morning and in the afternoon?
No your student does not need to take both the morning and the afternoon bus. However, usage does not determine cost. No matter how much or little the bus service is utilized, you are paying for the seat monthly.
Shuttle Service
How do I sign my student up for the Between Campus Shuttle Service?
Fill out our Between Campus Shuttle Service Application.
Does my student have to take the shuttle in the morning and in the afternoon?
No your student does not need to take both the morning and the afternoon shuttle.
Parking
How do I sign my student up for a student parking permit?
Please visit our Parking Permit Application webpage to learn more and to apply.
Financial Aid
We want to do all we can to provide a sustainable and affordable solution for our families, so we do have a transportation-specific financial aid option.
To Apply:
- Families may apply for this option using the same method already in place for “Internal Financial Aid” (visit our “Learn More About Tuition & Financial Aid” page and see “#4: Internal Financial Aid” under the ‘Tuition Assistance & Scholarship Opportunities section for more info). Families are invited to complete the same application process; the only additional step is for families to specifically note “Requesting transportation-specific aid.”
- Parents can update their FACTS Grant & Aid application by simply logging back into the application and updating it or adding a comment.
After Application:
- All applicants will be notified by FACTS Grant & Aid.
- Families with verified applications will be notified.
- Parents must accept the award and then the award is applied across the remaining payments due.
Parents are welcome to call the FACTS Grant & Aid phone number (866-315-9262) if they need help.
Transportation Questions
If you have any additional questions in regards to our transportation, please feel free to reach out via email to [email protected].
The East Valley Bus Application Form for 2025-26 will open on Monday, June 9th at 8 AM and will remain open till Friday, June 13th.
Please be sure to sign up before the close on Friday, June 13th so we can ensure there are enough seats for everyone wanting to participate.
If you need the bus service for any, or all, of the bus route, you must sign up through the web form. PLEASE NOTE: This includes the shuttle between schools. This is the only way that we can make sure we have enough seats available.