Christian curriculum draws students to W. Valley school

Parents at Phoenix Christian Unified School in Goodyear said the integration of Christian lessons into the curriculum and everyday life was a large reason their children attend.

The new West Valley branch opened in August, almost 60 years after the first school opened in Phoenix.

"As a single parent it's a blessing to me because I know I can leave here and go off to my job and not worry about him at school," said Sharon Jaycox of Goodyear. "I feel safe, and I'm comfortable with the situation. It's a comfort and security to know that I don't have to worry about my son."

Jaycox said the Christian curriculum was the main reason she pays the yearly $5,300 tuition for her fifth-grade son.

The K-7 school rents 24 classrooms, a multipurpose room and some offices from Skyway Church of the West Valley on Van Buren Street.

Principal Donn Start said the school is opening a preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds Dec. 1.

About 80 percent of the schools operating expenses come from the 155 student paying tuition. Donations account for the other 20 percent, Superintendent Jim Koan said.

"Right now our enrollment is low. Most every month is a chance to see how God is going to provide by payday," he said. "He always allows us to meet payroll . . . sometimes it's taking a line of credit."

Koan said although the school is not affiliated with any church, one parent must be a practicing Christian in order to enroll a student. The child does not have to be Christian.

"It's important that people understand we strive for excellence in our academics, but our core work is helping parents raise their kids to love the Lord," he said. "Especially when you get into high school, that's a time when kids are really testing boundaries. We don't force kids to pretend to be believers."

Some students transferred from private or home schools, while others came from public districts.

Alicia Simmons, 12, has attended public and private schools. The seventh-grader said she likes the Southwest Valley private school because the children are Christian.

"A lot of things make me like it here better . . . it's the kids, how they act and the words they say," she said. "It's nice to have a Bible class and be open to talk about God."

Phoenix Christian West Valley student Cameryn Hoole works on solving a math problem.