Academics
Valley Lutheran High School offers a curriculum that prepares students for the demands of college, career, and beyond. Our 21st Century Classroom Initiative fosters student growth in creative problem-solving skills, productive collaboration, reading, writing, digital literacy, and critical thinking. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum. Elements of online learning are incorporated into the traditional classroom experience to provide a real-world blended learning environment. With “Christ as our foundation,” it is understood that the Biblically Christian worldview will be part of each classroom and extra-curricular activity.
A full course listing and links to course descriptions are available here
Meeting the Needs of Students
Advanced Placement Courses
Valley Lutheran offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses for students who are prepared to take on the rigors of college-level work while still in the high school setting.
- Advanced Placement Biology
- Advanced Placement Calculus AB
- Advanced Placement English Language
- Advanced Placement English Literature
- Advanced Placement French Language
- Advanced Placement Government
- Advanced Placement Spanish Language
- Advanced Placement Studio Art
- Advanced Placement United States History
(In recent years, students have started taking other Advanced Placement tests based on our regular curriculum as well.)
Student Support Services Programs
Valley Lutheran also understands that some students need extra support through their high school years. To help meet the needs of these students we offer a Student Support Services program that provides additional assistance to eligible students so they can be successful in the classroom. Student Support Services aides work with students to teach them organizational skills, provide additional tutoring, administer tests and assignments that may be modified, and coordinate communications with teachers and parents.
Eligible students are those with a formal IEP or 504 plan, official diagnosis of physical/learning disability, or a history of needing additional help. Space is limited. For more information, contact Student Support Services Coordinator Natalie Keup at (989) 790-1676.
Career and Technical Education
Juniors and Seniors may dual enroll in one of the career and technical education programs offered by the Saginaw Career Complex (SCC) or Bay Arenac ISD (BA). Both programs are part of the local public schools.
Students enrolling in SCC/BA will develop, with the help of the Guidance Counselor, a personalized curriculum program that includes a plan for courses to be taken at Valley Lutheran for the junior and senior years. This plan will demonstrate how SCC/BA courses and Valley Lutheran courses work together to meet graduation requirements.
Dual Enrollment Opportunities
The State of Michigan, in partnership with local school districts, provides funding for students who are interested in pursuing dual credit for courses taught in local colleges. Students taking dual enrollment courses can potentially earn college credit as well as credit towards their high school diploma. These courses are available to any student who meets the minimum GPA and PSAT/SAT scores required by the programs of individual colleges. Students intending to dual enroll should meet with the Guidance Counselor to start all the necessary paperwork and to plan how these courses work within Valley Lutheran’s curriculum. All students who dual enroll are required to have a Dual Enrollment Course Contract on file in the Guidance Office before any other paperwork will be sent to schools.
VLHS currently has working partnerships with the following schools:
Other institutions qualify, but families will be responsible for the extra tuition costs not covered by the State of MI.
NCAA/NAIA Clearinghouses
Students intending to participate in athletics at the collegiate level may need to register with one or more clearinghouses. The Guidance Office can help you through the process, but you will want to start the conversation as early as possible to ensure you are taking the right courses during your time in high school.
Tips for Student-Athletes and Their Families (provided by the NACAC)
NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete (provided by the NCAA)
NAIA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete (provided by the NAIA)
“Valley Lutheran provides a top quality education, with professional and caring instructors and staff. ”
Parent of a former Valley Lutheran student