ONLY AT VCS: ALL-IN TUITION
VCS tuition includes nearly everything needed to provide a quality education for each student. It includes any required books, technology/iPads, athletic participation, lab/field trip fees, class specific required apparel, etc. Our goal is to make tuition as all-inclusive of a number as is reasonable, allowing families to use tuition assistance and scholarship opportunities towards each piece of tuition, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. Items that may be excluded are identified below.
ROBUST INTERNAL DISCOUNTS
In addition to STOs and ESAs, we currently provide more than $1.1 million in internal discounts and scholarships each year to our families. This includes discounts for alumni, multi-student families, pastors, Christian educators, and staff, as well as internal financial aid and merit-based endowment scholarships.
Tuition & Fees
- Annual payers commit to paying their tuition in full by July 1.
- Semester payers pay tuition in two installments that are due July 1 + December 1.
- Monthly payers pay in 11 installments on the first of each month, July 1 – May 1.
- When a student enrolls or withdraws after the start of school, tuition is pro-rated by the month based on a 10-month school year.
- Tuition for High School seniors includes the fall leadership retreat and the end of the school year senior trip.
- In most cases, VCS does not charge fees for athletics, fine arts, technology, or parking.
Between the STO, ESA, and other programs, every VCS family should be able to cover between 40-100% of their out-of-pocket tuition costs. Approximately 1 in 10 VCS families is fully funded through these programs.
Additional Fees & Optional Programs
VCS tuition is intended to include nearly everything needed to provide a quality education for each student. Listed below are fees or optional programs that incur an additional cost.
New Students
Application Fee – $225
One-time, non-refundable fee paid at time of initial application to VCS. There is a cap of $450 per family in initial application fees if enrolling multiple students at VCS for the first time.
Continuous Enrollment Fee – $200/year
This is due when submitting your Continuous Enrollment packet and each year thereafter (drafted on behalf of VCS after the Opt-out period is closed). It is non-refundable except for unique circumstances. Please see FAQ’s below.
Special Education (V.I.N.E.) Support & Tuition
Can be paid for through STO funds.
V.I.N.E. (Valley’s Individual Needs Enhancement) fees are charged on a 10-month cycle to match the number of months in classes.
Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are developed for each student enrolled in the V.I.N.E. Program, based on their unique individual needs, in order to provide the support that will help them become confident, competent, and successful learners. V.I.N.E. tuition is in addition to the school’s base tuition.
High School Support
- Up to 3 V.I.N.E. classes – $450 per month additional tuition ($4,500/year)
- Each additional V.I.N.E. class – $100 per month additional tuition ($1,000/year)
- Accommodation Plans: $525 one-time fee for students not already enrolled in V.I.N.E.
K-8 Support
- Includes V.I.N.E. content classes, where available, and access to V.I.N.E. teachers including our interventionist – $300 per month additional tuition ($3,000/year)
Third Party Tutoring
- VCS partners with several third-party vendors to allow on campus tutoring for needs like dyslexia. The rates for these services will vary depending on what is being offered. For most of these services, families will pay the vendor directly. For families with STO awards in excess of their tuition, tutoring can be paid for through STO funds.
*For information on STOs, please see #1 below or speak to your Admissions Manager.
Sports, Activities, Fine Arts, and Clubs
While VCS does not charge any general athletic or activities fees, there are some additional charges indicated below. These are charged in addition to tuition because of the limited participation rate or the cost of the activity. There may also be incidental charges that parents are responsible for purchasing, such as the cost of shoes, swimsuits, instruments, etc. that accompany an activity. If those items remain the property of students, VCS will typically charge for them or task parents with purchasing them. We try to keep these fees to a minimum. Participation in these activities is not mandatory and questions about these additional fees should be directed to the coach/director of the activity.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but some of the incidental charges that you can expect to pay for separately include:
- Football participation
- Choir tour
- Instrumental tour
- ENGAGE trips
- Bus/Transportation service
- Kids Club (beginning in 2025-26)
- Summer sports camps
- Advanced Placement testing
- Personal equipment that will remain personal property: shoes, swimsuit, poms, golf clubs, etc.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal Fee – $750
A family who withdraws a student during the school year – whether voluntary or involuntary – will be charged the full tuition for the month withdrawn, plus a $750.00 withdrawal fee per student. This fee is used to reimburse VCS for digital textbook licenses and other resources VCS commits to during a student’s enrollment.
Tuition Assistance & Scholarship Opportunities
#1: Individual Tax Credit Program
- The individual tax credit program is facilitated by STOs (school tuition organizations).
- Valley Christian’s preferred STO is ACSTO (Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization).
- Once you apply with ACSTO and are enrolled in a Christian school, you immediately qualify for STO funds. That said, a majority of funds that get disbursed to families are funds that come with a “recommendation” for your student(s). It does take some work in asking friends and family to participate – but it is well worth the effort!
- The shortest and clearest way to present this program for the first time to friends and family is:
Arizona allows you to take the money you’d normally pay in state taxes to Arizona and instead give it to my student’s Christian school tuition! You simply make a donation through ACSTO and recommend him/her, and you get a dollar-for-dollar credit back from the state, meaning it doesn’t cost you anything besides cash up front.
- Our highest recommendation is to make a donation yourself (of any amount) to another student, so you know exactly how it works.
- Traditionally, 85% of our families have participated in this program. 11% of our students are fully funded through this program alone.
- You can read even more about this program on ACSTO’s FAQ page, or by attending a workshop (typically hosted quarterly).
#2: Corporate Tax Credit Program
There are two Corporate Tax Credit Programs:
LOW-TO-MODEST INCOME PROGRAM
- A student is eligible to receive corporate scholarship funds if they meet two criteria (must meet one of the criteria under #1 and meet #2):
-
- Either a “switcher” (coming from a public or charter school the previous school year), a Kindergartener, a dependent of a military member, or have previously received an Overflow or Corporate scholarship.
- Family must have a low-to-modest income (for 24-25, that is $88,369 for a family of 3, $106,782 AGI for a family of 4, $125,195 for a family of 5, $143,608 for a family of 6, etc… this is listed here).
- We typically recommend that families apply through many corporate STOs if they meet the criteria above, as they each do their best to raise as much money through this program as possible. This may include corporate STOs like School Choice Arizona, Arizona Leadership Foundation, Arizona Private Education Scholarship Fund, Arizona School Choice Trust, Arizona Tax Credit, Institute for Better Education (IBE), and TOPS for Kids.
-
- Note that each Corporate STO has their own deadline and application requirements, so we’d recommend researching each and keeping an eye on their requirements.
DISABLED/DISPLACED PROGRAM
- Disabled – These are scholarships for disabled students who have received an IEP,504, or MET Plan issued by an Arizona public school.
- Displaced – These are scholarships for students who are or have been placed in the Arizona Foster Care System at any time before the student graduated from high school.
- You can read even more about these two programs on School Choice Arizona’s website.
#3: Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA)
- The new Universal ESA program (H.B. 2853) expands educational opportunities for eligible students outside of the public school system, provides public funding that can be used for a wide variety of educational expenses, and pays for private school tuition, educational therapies, tutoring, and more.
- This bill expanded the ESA program to all students in Arizona. The only requirement is that the student lives in Arizona; there are no income, testing, or other requirements.
- Kindergarten Students will receive approximately $4,000, while 1st through 12th grade students will receive approximately $7,000. These funds are paid to each family quarterly.
- Families who sign an ESA contract with the State of Arizona are not eligible to utilize STO scholarships to pay tuition (either Individual [#1] or Corporate [#2]) during the same period.
- ESA applications are accepted year round and complete applications will be processed within 30 days of submission.
- To apply please visit https://esa.azed.gov/Account
- This program is run completely through the State of Arizona; VCS is not able to advise beyond anything listed on the Arizona Department of Education’s webpage at azed.gov/esa.
- Students who meet any of the following criteria may be eligible for additional funds.
- K-12 student with or without a disability (Universal ESA), Preschool student with a disability, student with a parent who is active duty military or was killed in the line of duty, student with a parent who is legally blind, deaf, or hard of hearing, student resides within a Native American reservation, student attends a D or F rated school, student is a sibling of a current or previous recipient or was a previous recipient, student was a Ward of Court.
- For category requirements, please visit: https://www.azed.gov/esa/eligibility-requirements
#4: Internal Financial Aid
- This is financial aid provided by VCS out of our operating budget, dispersed based on financial need through FACTS Grants & Aid Assessment.
- These awards can certainly be helpful, but are limited based on the school’s operating budget. We typically recommend applying for this if there is a significant financial need; just note that the first three opportunities – Individual STOs, Corporate STOs , ESAs – have a much higher “ceiling” in terms of overall disbursements.
- The funds for this program are evaluated and determined in the summer prior to the school year, with the first disbursement awarded in September. These funds get applied as a “discount” spread out over the course of the year.
- To apply, your student must first be enrolled. Then:
Click on the following link: https://online.factsmgt.com/aid
Create an account
FACTS ID# 25408 | District Code VCHS-AZ- NOTE: On the FACTS website, scroll down and select APPLY NOW under the heading Apply for Financial Aid with Facts Grant & Aid Assessment.”
- Looking to request transportation-specific financial aid for the Valley Bus Service? Complete the steps above, then one additional step: specifically note “Requesting transportation-specific aid” in your application.
#5: Courtesy Discounts and Competitive VCS Scholarships
- Valley Christian Schools offers a number of internal courtesy and competitive scholarships.
- Read below for more information on Courtesy Discounts.
- Visit valleychristianaz.org/endowment for more information on competitive scholarship.
Courtesy Discounts
Pastors
The Pastoral Discount program was established in order to bless local pastors and welcome them into the VCS community. The Pastor Discount is a flat discount based on the grade level of the VCS student:
| Grade Level | Discount |
| K | $2,000 |
| 1-6 | $2,500 |
| 7-8 | $3,000 |
| 9-11 | $3,500 |
| 12 | $4,000 |
Pastors may stack this discount with other available discounts (multi-child, alumni, etc.). Read Full Terms.
VCS Alumni
A $500 scholarship will be provided for any student of a high school alumnus. Full terms.
Sibling/Multi-Student
Enrolled siblings will receive a $500 discount of their tuition. The first enrolled student does not receive the multi-child discount, and is considered to be the student enrolled at the highest grade-level. The multi-student discount begins for the 2nd enrolled student.
Christian Educator
A $500 discount of tuition will be provided to any student of an educator or administrator currently working full-time in a Christian school that has a reciprocal educator agreement with VCS.
*As of 2023-24, courtesy discounts may now be “stacked.” For example, the first student of an alumnus will receive the $500 alumni discount; the second student of an alumnus will receive both the $500 alumni discount and the $500 multi-student discount for a total of $1,000.
Competitive VCS Scholarships
Read more about our competitive scholarships at valleychristianaz.org/endowment.
Still concerned about affording a Valley Christian education?
We’re serious about our goal of helping every family that wants a Valley Christian education to receive one. Our Admissions Managers regularly meet with prospective families for an individual “VCS Scholarship Consultation.” This 50-minute, personalized consultation will help you understand how your family can cover tuition through scholarship opportunities.
Request a scholarship consultation today. Consultations can be done in person on one of VCS’ campuses or via an online meeting.
Continuous Enrollment
2026-27 Continuous Enrollment Opens:
February 2, 2026
By submitting your Continuous Enrollment packet, your child is assured their spot until graduation.
For our 2026-27 school year, Valley Christian Schools is introducing Continuous Enrollment, which simplifies the process for parents and strengthens our long-term partnership with families. Valley Christian Schools administration, along with the Parent Advisory Council sub-committee, worked to prepare for the launch of Continuous Enrollment on February 2, 2026.
Continuous Enrollment means no more filling out re-enrollment packets every year for each child. Starting this upcoming 2026‑27 school year, returning families will complete a final re-enrollment packet (Continuous Enrollment packet), with which your child will remain continuously enrolled each year through graduation. Meaning your child’s spot at VCS is secure, giving you more time and energy to focus on what matters most: equipping students to become culture changers for Christ.
Key Dates:
- February 2: Continuous Enrollment opens, and the tuition/fee schedule is released.
- February 16: Continuous Enrollment packets are due. This packet will have all pertinent forms for each child completed and will be the last time this packet is sent unless you are enrolling a new child at Valley Christian Schools.
Starting on February 2nd, Families will complete the Continuous Enrollment Packet online. Once submitted, you won’t need to resubmit it each year. Every year after, you will have 30 days from the date our tuition is released in the late winter to opt-out if you decide you do not want to continue at Valley Christian.
Continuous Enrollment essentially reserves your child’s seat each year through 12th grade providing you and your child each year:
- Review and sign the VCS Statement of Faith
- Review and sign the Student and Parent Handbook forms
- Successfully remit the first part of the Continuous Enrollment fee for each child after the Opt-out period (VCS initiates draft through our incidental billing software)
- Attend one Parent University session prior to August 1. By attending one session, the remainder of the Continuous Enrollment fee will be waived.
- Are in good standing with VCS in regard to our Covenant Partnership, Behavior, and Academic requirements.
- VCS will provide a 30-day window for parents to opt their child out for the following school year without penalty
For 2026-2027, Continuous Enrollment opens on February 2, 2026. The Statement of Faith, Handbook forms, and the first part of the Continuous Enrollment fee are taken at the submission of your packet. This is the last packet you will complete.
Continuous Enrollment reflects who we are as a school: a Christ-centered community dedicated to long-term partnership, stability, and excellence in education. It’s part of our mission to equip students academically, spiritually, and socially for life, helping them grow in faith, character, and knowledge.
We are grateful for your trust and partnership and look forward to continuing this journey with you and your family.
To Access the Family Portal Login for Continuous Enrollment
- Click the button for Continuous Enrollment to go to FACTS Family Portal.
- Type in your username and password (District Code is VCHS-AZ).
- After logging in, click on Apply/Enroll in the left menu.
- Click on the Enrollment/Continuous Enrollment link.
Continuous Enrollment FAQ
What is Continuous Enrollment (CE)?
Continuous Enrollment guarantees your child’s class placement until graduation. As a result, there is no need to re-enroll your child each year.
If your educational plans change, then you simply notify us that you wish to “opt-out” of Continuous Enrollment for the following year during the 30-day Opt-out window without penalty. The 30-day Opt-Out window begins when the new year’s tuition is released.
Continuous enrollment makes ongoing enrollment easier and more convenient for parents by simplifying the re-enrollment process.
*Please note that though Continuous Enrollment guarantees your child’s seat at Valley Christian Schools, certain criteria must be met. Each year, you and your child, must:
- Review and sign the VCS Statement of Faith
- Review and sign the Student and Parent Handbook forms
- Successfully remit the first part of the Continuous Enrollment fee for each child after the Opt-out period (VCS initiates draft through our incidental billing software)
- Attend one Parent University session prior to August 1. By attending one session, the second part of the Continuous Enrollment fee will be waived.
- Are in good standing with VCS in regard to our covenant partnership, behavior, and academic requirements
VCS will provide a 30-day window for parents to opt their child out for the following school year without penalty
For 2026-2027, Continuous Enrollment opens on February 2, 2026. The Statement of Faith, Handbook forms, and the first part of the Continuous Enrollment fee are taken at the submission of your packet. This is the last packet you will complete.
Why does re-enrollment matter? And why do we go through this every year?
Our school leadership team engages in thoughtful, intentional planning each year to ensure we are well prepared to fulfill our mission. Accurate enrollment numbers are essential as we make decisions about staffing, programs, curriculum, materials, and facility use. By planning wisely, we can steward tuition dollars well and continue providing the highest quality education for our students.
Historically, re-enrollment at our school has been an annual opt-in process. Beginning this year, re-enrollment will move to an opt-out model through a “Continuous Enrollment” contract. This means your child’s seat will remain secure from year to year—through graduation—provided a few standard requirements are met.
What will Continuous Enrollment contain?
The following will be contained in Continuous Enrollment (CE):
- I hereby opt into continuous enrollment. This means that my child/ren will keep coming back to Valley Christian Schools every year unless I tell the school otherwise.
- I understand that I have 30 days from tuition rates being released annually to notify Valley Christian Schools’ Admissions office of any changes in my plans of enrollment for my child/ren.
- If I breach this contract by disenrolling my child/ren for the following school year after this 30 day opt-out window, I understand that the Continuous Enrollment fee is non-refundable.
- Unique Circumstances. Valley Christian Schools recognizes that family plans change. For any unique circumstances (such as the following) families unenrolling for the following school year after the announced deadline will be refunded the Continuous Enrollment fee:
- Moving/Relocation 25+ miles away from Valley Christian Schools.
- Educational and behavioral needs for the student that can no longer be met at Valley Christian Schools as determined by faculty and school leadership.
- Dis-enrollment at the request of Valley Christian Schools.
- Other circumstances as approved by the Board of Directors.
How do I sign up for this?
For the 2026-2027 school year, families will agree to Continuous Enrollment during the re-enrollment process/completion of the re-enrollment packet. You will have two weeks to complete it.
Why do we need to sign a CE agreement?
Having families sign the one-time Continuous Enrollment contract during re-enrollment 2026-27 or for new families through new school enrollment packets confirms that families fully understand the new policy and requirements.
Does CE apply to all students?
Yes.
Does our family need to have an account with our Tuition Management System?
Yes, all families sign up for an account with our tuition management system for tuition payments, the Continuous Enrollment fee, and incidentals (sports fees, etc.) upon enrollment.
After this year, what will the re-enrollment season look like?
Once your family has signed the Continuous Enrollment agreement, the typical re-enrollment season (January through March) will simply include communication reminders from the Admissions team informing families that might be thinking about leaving our school to notify us prior to the end of the 30-day opt-out period.
What are the benefits of CE to families?
Simplicity.
Guaranteed placement.
With increasing enrollment, we are either at or near waitlists in many of our grades, placement in next year’s class is an increasingly sought-after spot. By opting into continuous enrollment, you’ll be locking down that coveted seat for your child until graduation.
What is the Continuous Enrollment timeline after 2026-27 re-enrollment cycle?
- You will receive a Continuous Enrollment email when tuition rates are released (Jan/Feb), reminding you that you are already enrolled at Valley Christian Schools and to review the upcoming year’s Schedule of Tuition and Fees and financial assistance information. This will include a reminder that if you intend to withdraw your student, you must submit your notice to the school using the Intent to Withdraw Form on or before the end of a defined 30-day opt-out window to avoid being billed the nonrefundable Continuous Enrollment fee for each child.
- No action will be required if your children will be at Valley Christian Schools the following year, and the annual Continuous Enrollment fee will automatically be billed through your tuition management account after the 30-day Opt-out period ends.
- Each year, families will receive our Statement of Faith and Handbooks to review and sign. Also, families will be prompted to update their information through the parent portal. This includes medical, demographic, and emergency contact updates.
How do we notify the school if we do not plan to return?
If your intent is to not return the following academic year, you must submit this notification through the online Intent to Withdraw Form. If this form is submitted through the 30-day Opt-out period, a Continuous Enrollment fee will not be charged to your account per child(ren). The withdraw form will begin to be available in the 2027-28 Opt-out period.
Each year, parents will have a 30-day opt-out period that begins when tuition is released and announced. If you decide you do not want your child to remain enrolled for the next school year, simply complete the online Intent to Withdraw Form during the opt-out period.
Please note that this form notifies Valley Christian Schools that your child will not be returning for the next school year. This is not the official withdrawal that initiates records requests and the closing of accounts. This must go through the registrar’s office. Please contact the registrar’s office at your campus to initiate this transfer of records at the appropriate time. Also, this form is not to be used for current-year withdrawals. Please contact the registrar’s office at your campus for this as well. You may contact: [email protected] for current-year withdrawals.
Will I be penalized when withdrawing from Valley Christian Schools?
Valley Christian Schools makes decisions related to hiring staff, classes, and purchasing curriculum and materials based on anticipated enrollment. Your future plans influence our current decisions. If you choose to withdraw from Valley Christian Schools for the next school year, please do so by filling out the Intent to Withdraw Form and be mindful of the following dates:
- Within 30-day opt-out period: You will NOT be contractually obligated to pay Continuous Enrollment fee, tuition, and fees for next school year.
- End of 30-day opt-out period to July 30: You will NOT be contractually obligated to pay tuition and fees for the next school year. However, you will have forfeited the nonrefundable Continuous Enrollment Fee.
Is there a penalty if I opt-out now but then decide to enroll later?
We would love to continue to partner with your family in your child’s education. However, if you opt-out, your spot at Valley Christian Schools will no longer be secure and could be given to a new student.
What is the process that parents can use to update family information in our school management software once they have signed continuous enrollment?
Parents may log into our Family Portal at any time during the year. Additionally, we will ask all families to confirm their contact information, demographic information, and medical updates each year.
I am enrolling a new sibling. What do I need to do?
Log into your Parent Portal and click on apply/enroll to complete an online application. Once the application is submitted, we will be able to merge the new application with the current family. All new students will be agreeing to the CE agreement in the new student enrollment packet.
If my child is continuously enrolled, why is a Continuous Enrollment fee necessary?
Each year, VCS must plan for the students we will be educating the following year. This includes digital textbook licenses and other resources VCS commits to during a student’s enrollment.
FAQ Quick References
- Opt-out Period – Annually after tuition is released and will run for 30-days. Tuition is released in January/February
- Continuous Enrollment Fee – Annually drafted after Opt-out period is complete
- Parent University – Required Annually completed by August 1
- Statement of Faith – Required Annually sent by VCS with deadline included
- Handbook Forms – Required Annually sent by VCS with deadline included
- Continuous Enrollment Contract – One-time required commitment
- Good standing with VCS in regard to our covenant partnership, behavior, and academic requirements