The Friday at 5:00 Breakdown: 

Dear BVCS Families,

Thank you to everyone who took time to complete the Fall Family Survey. Your feedback is a gift to us and a key way we continue to grow as we partner together to “nurture and equip students to impact the world for Christ.” 

A Quick Snapshot

• We had 106 responses out of 605 possible, giving us a 17.5% response rate. The ideal is a minimum 40% response rate. We'd love to see more families participate when we send out our Spring Survey, helping us to receive solid data with strong confidence in trends and themes.

• Overall, families expressed strong satisfaction and mission alignment.

• Most responses in the areas of Overall Experience, Mission Alignment, Spiritual Growth, Support, Academics, and Safety were in the 4–5 range (Satisfied/Very Satisfied).

• We heard deep gratitude for:

  • A Christ-centered culture

  • Caring, committed teachers and staff

  • Students who are growing in confidence and faith

What We Heard

Spiritual Life

• Families appreciate that BVCS is clearly Christ-centered and value the safeguards around chapel.

• You’d love to see even more age-appropriate, engaging chapel for junior high and high school, including student testimonies, hands-on service opportunities, and clearer connections between faith and life (including athletics).

Student Support & Academics

• Many families shared that students feel known, prayed for, and cared for

• Common prayer requests focused on confidence, friendships, anxiety/mental health, and spiritual growth

• Academics are generally viewed positively, with some specific concerns:

  • Variability in course rigor and communication

  • Homework load and screen time, especially in some upper-elementary grades

  • Requests for typing/keyboard instruction, more hands-on learning and labs, and continued attention to balanced homework.

• Several families expressed interest in:

  • Trade and career pathways

  • Music/band

  • Additional sports such as swim and tennis

Safety & Operations

• Families are grateful for the steps already taken in safety and security—especially locked doors during chapel.

• Suggestions included:

  • Increased visible security presence and clear standards at gates/check-in

  • Improved parking and traffic flow, especially near JH/HS and Miracle Field

  • Better drop-off flow in the elementary courtyard 

Calendar & Schedule (2026–2027 Input)

• Common themes:

  • A desire to finish the school year by Memorial Day

  • May align Easter/Spring Break once confirmed wtih Modesto City School's calendar. Spring Break and Easter will not always land together, but we honor the Eater season by taking Good Friday and the Monday after Easter off regardless of where Spring Break falls.

  • Interest in a longer Christmas break

  • Support for a longer Thanksgiving break and some interest in an October fall break

  • A few families noted a preference for closer alignment with Modesto City Schools’ calendar

Communication

• Families rated communication mostly 4–5 and expressed appreciation for the clarity and tone.

• The main pain points:

  • Timeliness and consistency of some high school communications

  • Calendar confusion (desire for clear “as-of” dates and one trusted version)

  • Juggling multiple channels (flyers, app, email, text)

• Most-used tools, in order of use:

  • Friday @ 5

  • Emails

  • Text messages

  • BVCS Family App

Facilities & Programs

• Requests included:

  • After-school care options for JH/HS with dependable hours

  • Use of school vans for field trips to reduce parent driving loads

  • Continued focus on JH/HS chapel engagement
    
    

What We’re Doing Next

Your feedback is already shaping our next steps. Here are a few immediate action areas we’re working on:

1. 2026–2027 Calendar

• Drafting a 2026–27 calendar that:

  • Targets year-end by Memorial Day if possible

  • Aligns Easter/Spring Break as much as possible

  • The Important Dates Document will be made available after Christmas break.

2. Safety, Traffic & Access

• Increasing visible security coverage

• Evaluating parking and traffic patterns, including handicap spaces and flow near Miracle Field

• Reviewing elementary drop-off procedures for clearer boundaries and supervision, and communicating any changes with families

3. Student Care & Support Services

• Exploring ways to expand counseling/mental health and special services 

• Clarifying how families can request support or referrals when needs arise

4. Programs & Opportunities

• Gathering data on family interest in trade and career pathway options, including potential partnerships

• Reviewing JH/HS after-care needs and what sustainable solutions might look like.

5. High School PSAT Communication

• High school families can expect a clear explanation of the PSAT—what it is, why it matters, and how BVCS will support students in that process — after Thanksgiving.

Thank You

We are grateful for your honesty, encouragement, and thoughtful suggestions. Your partnership helps us celebrate what God is doing at BVCS and wisely address the areas that need attention.

If you have additional feedback or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We love walking this journey with you and your students.

With gratitude,
BVCS Leadership Team