Blog - Parent Resources

-What is one/some ways that CVCS has impacted your life today? 
JAMES

The education I received at Cedar Valley really helped me in undergrad and grad school. There were classes I took that seemed fairly easy to me because I had already learned the foundational information at CV. Additionally, the values that I learned in classes like Family Living with Mr. Fogle continue to impact the way I raise my kids and care for my wife.

KENZIE

Cedar Valley was influential in my character development. I spent 14 years there, so I have no doubt that the culture impacted me. I saw daily what it meant to live with a Christ-like attitude and learned what truly lasts in life (I'm sure Mr. P still says it- God and people). They fostered an environment of kindness and respect, and I hope others can see that in me.

Cedar Valley also helped me prepare for the future academically. As I went through my college career, study habits and tough subjects that I'd learned at CV came naturally to me. For example, Mr. P's calculus class wasn't a breeze, but it sure made college math seem like a cake walk!  

I also have wonderful friendships that started over 25 years ago at CV. When you can connect with someone on not just a personal but also a spiritual level, those relationships thrive. These prior classmates and peers have become such special people in my life.

-How did attending CVCS impact your walk with the Lord?

JAMES

Cedar Valley helped me shape a biblical worldview. The conversations I had with teachers about life and relationships with God has had an impact on me that's lasted into adulthood. The Bible classes enhanced my knowledge of God and gave me good context around what other religions believe and why we can trust Christianity.

KENZIE

Cedar Valley gave me a safe place to ask questions and explore my faith. I was surrounded by teachers and peers who encouraged me in my walk, and the curriculum constantly pointed back to the work done on the cross. I remember getting together with upperclassmen before school and working through Bible studies together. It was another way that showed me how to be a servant to others. The teachers were also great examples of how to live a life pleasing to the Lord. As a child, I don't think I fully understood their impact on my life, but as an adult, I'm so thankful to have had adults I trusted who loved the Lord.

-What is one of the best memories you have from your time at Cedar Valley?

JAMES

My favorite memory from Cedar Valley is probably the really hard basketball practices with Mr. P and Dr. Hodge and their pre-game John Wooden lessons. The field trip to Maquoketa Caves in 6th grade with Miss Cronbaugh, East Iowa Bible Camp overnight in 8th grade, and Mr. Foote class stories also rank up there.

KENZIE

Oh man, I have so many great memories of CV! A top memory from elementary school was the 3rd grade Bonus Bucks Store. You had the opportunity to earn "bonus bucks" each semester by doing extra work, and then you got to spend them at the end of the semester. I was always so motivated to earn those bucks, and there were some awesome prizes! Also that year, we could earn CVKC (Cedar Valley Kids Cooperate) stickers for going above and beyond during class and specials. Once the chart was filled, we would take an afternoon off and have a movie party, complete with popcorn, snacks, stuffies, and blankets. We were so amped when these days arrived!

As far as high school goes, basketball and volleyball trips were always such a blast, and winning state in volleyball was the icing on the cake. I also have an oddly large number of memories of trying to get Mr. Foote off topic by bringing up U2 or obscure history facts. James and I didn't start dating until after college, but I do have to credit CV for where we first met :)

-Why did you decide to send your daughter to CVCS?

We went back and forth for a while as we decided whether we wanted to homeschool our kids or send them to public versus private school. However, once we decided to utilize the private school option, the decision to send them to Cedar Valley was easy. We knew the mission of Cedar Valley, and after doing some additional research, we concluded that they still uphold the same values they did 20+ years ago. The teachers at CV are also outstanding. Although they are each unique, they all have a special way of coming alongside each kid to find their individual strengths and gifts. James and I still have relationships with teachers we had back in elementary and high school, and we think that speaks volumes to the impact they make in a child's life. We also value the small class sizes, which makes learning easier and also leads to additional extracurricular opportunities, such as Get To Know You Days or whole class senior trips.

-What is one thing that you appreciate about CVCS for her?

We love that CV goes PK-12th grade and that interaction between students in lower and upper grades is encouraged. Our siblings also went to CV, and it created a sweet dynamic when we got to see them periodically in the halls, during lunch, at recess, or potentially as a reading buddy. Kids in older classes were always looked up to, and CV helped (and still does!) foster positive relationships between all grades.

What is your deep hope for your girls? Is there a way that CVCS helps you accomplish that to any degree?

Ultimately, we pray our girls will develop a deep love for Christ and His Word. Psalm 109:113 talks about the Lord's words being sweeter than honey, and I think that's a great metaphor for how we want our girls to see the wisdom He provides (and if you know anything about our girls, it's that they'd put honey on ANYTHING!). As so many conflicting views about truth are thrown at them, we pray they would be grounded in God's word. As an outpouring of their trust in Him, we also desire that the fruits of the spirit would be evident in their lives. We talk a lot at home about letting Christ's light shine through us by showing kindness to others, having joy in tough circumstances, prioritizing patience, and utilizing self control.

As parents who love Jesus, it can feel like many things in this world are working against us. However, we value that CV comes alongside us in helping reinforce what our girls are being taught at home. We know that the things they are learning, whether that's academically, spiritually, or emotionally, are backed by scripture and truth.

It's so fun to walk into CV and see many familiar faces from when we both attended. I think that speaks to the culture of CV. People see the impact the school has made on their own lives, so they choose to stay involved. We feel very blessed that we have the opportunity to send our girls to Cedar Valley and are excited to see how the Lord uses them and the school this year and in the future!