Valor Christian High School

Last updated

Valor Christian High School
Valor-Christian-High-School.jpg
Main campus as seen from the southeast
Location
Valor Christian High School
3775 Grace Boulevard

Highlands Ranch
,
Colorado
80126

United States
Coordinates 39°32′26″N104°56′42″W / 39.5405°N 104.9449°W / 39.5405; -104.9449
Information
Type Private, christian, college preparatory
MottoInfluence Through Excellence
Religious affiliation Christian
Established2006 [1]
Founder C. Edward McVaney [2]
CEEB code 060749
Head of schoolBryan Ritz [3]
Teaching staff101.9 (on an FTE basis) [4]
Grades9–12 [4]
Gender Co-Educational
Enrollment1,151 (2023–24) [4]
Student to teacher ratio11.6 [4]
Campus type Suburban
ColorsNavy blue, Columbia blue, white
   
Mascot Eagle
Nickname Eagles
Tuition$27,650 (2025-26) [5]
Website valorchristian.com

Valor Christian High School is a private, Christian high school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States. The school colors are Navy blue, Columbia blue, and white, and the school nickname is The Eagles. Valor has four major focuses: Academics, [6] Arts, [7] Athletics, [8] and Discovery (missionary outreach). [9]

Contents

Academics

Valor Christian has been named a Blue Ribbon school twice. The first time was in 2015 and the second in 2021. [10] [11] Valor Christian was the only Colorado high school named as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021. [11]

Valor Christian offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses as well as Dual Credit (DC) courses through certified local universities. As of the 2025–26 school year Valor Christian offers 18 AP Courses and 28 DC courses, with an average ACT score of 25. [12]

Campus

The Valor Christian campus is 35 acres, [13] and consists of: an academic building with a library, labs, and 35 classrooms; the Valor Center for Culture & Influence, including a theatre, performance hall, and studios and classrooms for arts and media; and the athletics facilities, including the athletics building, a 5,200-seat artificial turf stadium, and athletics fields. [14] Plans exist for a STEM Building and Aquatics building, yet the necessary land and funding has not been acquired by the school.

Arts + Media

The school has a robust arts and media program. They offer more than 20 different arts courses. The Valor Center for Culture & Influence hosts more than 40,000 visitors a year in the 700-seat performance hall[ citation needed ]. Valor's performance hall is the only high school theatre in the state that has a hydraulic orchestra pit and second one in any theatre in the state[ citation needed ]. Valor also has a conservatory program, for students to take specialized classes and private lessons in their field of study. [15]

Athletics

The school is known for its sports program, especially football. They have won multiple state championships. [16]

State championships

SeasonSportTotal ChampionshipsYears
Fall Cross Country, Boys 12022 [17]
Football 82009, [18] 2010, [18] 2011, [18] 2012, [18] 2013, [19] 2015, [20] 2016, [21] 2018 [22]
Golf, Boys 62009, [18] 2010, [18] 2013, [23] 2014, [23] 2015, [24] 2020 [25]
Softball 32014, [26] 2015, [27] 2016 [28]
Volleyball, Girls 52018, [29] 2022, [30] 2023, [31] 2024 [32] , 2025 [33]
Winter Basketball, Boys 22017, [34] 2024
Basketball, Girls 42015, [35] 2016, [36] 2021, [37] 2024
Hockey 42020, [38] 2021, [39] 2023, 2025 [40]
Swimming, Girls 12016 [24]
Cheer 72016, 2017, 2020, 2021, [24] 2022, 2023, 2024
Spring Baseball 42016, [41] 2017, [42] 2018, [43] 2023 [44]
Lacrosse, Boys 32016, [45] 2017, [46] 2024 [47]
Lacrosse, Girls 12025 [48]
Track & Field, Boys 12019 [49]
Track & Field, Girls 42018, [50] 2019, [49] 2021, [51] 2023 [52]
Golf, Girls 42022, 2023, 2024, [53] 2025 [54]
Soccer, Girls 12011 [18]
Total59

Notable Coaching Staff

Valor has been known to have high-profile coaches. 2 time NCAA Champion Coach and Stanley Cup Finalist Assistant Coach George Gwozdecky has been the Ice hockey coach at Valor since 2015. [55] For the 2018 and 2019 Football seasons Super Bowl Champion Ed McCaffrey was the head coach. [56] Brent Vieselmeyer, now an NFL assistant coach, was head coach at Valor Christian. [57] Four Time World Series Champion Mike Timlin continues to work as an assistant for the Valor baseball team. [58]

LGBTQ faculty conflicts and student protests

In August of 2021, volleyball coach Inoke Tonga left Valor after a dispute over his sexuality as a gay man that started when the school became aware of post he made on Facebook. Inoke states that the school told him to "admit that I wasn't gay and that I was just having what they call a spiritual battle" or leave the school. Tonga said he was told by administrators that "being gay is a 'danger' to the school and to the kids." [59] [60]

After sharing this story, former women's lacrosse coach Lauren Benner said she went through a similar situation in 2020 when administrators confronted her about her sexuality and said she would not "be in alignment with Valor's culture statement" if she pursued a lesbian relationship. [61] Benner initially declined the claims she was in a lesbian relationship and was not dismissed. Several months later Benner left Valor on her own after further conversations about her sexuality with the school. [62]

These stories garnered national media attention, sparked protest from students and parents, and led to other faculty members to resign. Students used the opportunity to share and collect stories of LGBTQ discrimination on campus. [62] [63] [64]

Valor confirmed that all staff must agree to a "Statement of Beliefs" which includes "beliefs pertaining to sexuality and marriage" but disputes Tonga's portrayal of events. An email sent to parents said the school supports those who have spoken out and wants to "find ways to love and serve our community." [62]

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About Valor Christian High School". govalor.com. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ Draper, Electa (December 4, 2011). "For Ed McVaney, Valor Christian High School is Labor of Love". Denver Post. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Bryan Ritz - Valor Christian High School Directory". govalor.com. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Tuition at Valor". Valor Christian School. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Academics › Valor Christian High School". govalor.com/.
  7. ↑ "Arts+Media › Valor Christian High School". govalor.com/.
  8. ↑ "Athletics › Valor Christian High School". govalor.com/.
  9. ↑ "Discovery › Valor Christian High School". govalor.com/.
  10. ↑ "2015 National Blue Ribbon High Scho" (PDF). Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools" (PDF). Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Valor Christian High School Profile" . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  13. ↑ "About Valor Christian High School". Valor Christian High School. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Campus". govalor.com/. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Conservatory for the Arts - Valor Christian High School" . Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  16. ↑ Casey, Ryan; Hochman, Benjamin (December 4, 2011). "Valor Christian rockets to success and gains its share of detractors". The Denver Post.
  17. ↑ "5A COLORADO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS". Cross Country Past Championship Results: 2022 Championship Results. Colorado High School Activities Association. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "State Championships By School Through Spring 2013" (PDF). Spring 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 16, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Valor Christian takes fifth straight football title, beating Fairview". The Denver Post. November 30, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Valor Christian rallies to defeat Pomona in Class 5A championship". The Denver Post. December 5, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  21. ↑ "2016 CHSAA State Football Playoffs (CHSAA 5A Football Playoffs) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  22. ↑ "2018 CHSAA State Football Playoffs (CHSAA 5A Football Playoffs) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  23. 1 2 Duthie, Chris (October 1, 2014). "Valor Christian Repeats as 4A Boys Golf Champions". Colorado AvidGolfer. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  24. 1 2 3 "Team State Champions". Valor Christian High School. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Final results from the 2020 boys golf state tournaments". chsaanow.com. October 7, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  26. ↑ "2014 CHSAA State Softball Championships - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  27. ↑ "2015 CHSAA State Softball Championships - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  28. ↑ "2016 CHSAA State Softball Championships - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  29. ↑ "2018 CHSAA State Volleyball Tournament (Class 5A ) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  30. ↑ "2022 Class 5A girls volleyball state tournament bracket". CHSAANow. Colorado High School Activities Association. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Valor Christian beats Fossil Ridge to complete perfect season, win back-to-back volleyball state titles". The Denver Post. November 12, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  32. ↑ Cook, Damon (November 16, 2024). "5A Girls State Volleyball: Valor Christian Finishes on Top for Third-Consecutive Year" . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  33. ↑ "5A Girls Volleyball: Valor Christian Outlasts Chaparral for Fourth-Straight State Title". chsaanow.com. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  34. ↑ "2017 CHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournaments (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  35. ↑ "2015 CHSAA State Girls Basketball Championships (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  36. ↑ "2016 CHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournaments (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  37. ↑ "2021 CHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournaments (Class 5A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  38. ↑ "2020 CHSAA Hockey Tournament - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  39. ↑ "2020-21 5A ice hockey state tournament bracket". chsaanow.com. March 12, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  40. ↑ Moore, Ashley. "Valor Christian and Steamboat Springs take home the 2025 CHSAA Ice Hockey state championships" . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  41. ↑ "2016 CHSAA State Baseball Championships (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  42. ↑ "2017 CHSAA State Baseball Championships (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  43. ↑ "2018 CHSAA State Baseball Championships (Class 4A ) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  44. ↑ "5A baseball: Valor Christian Wins First 5A State Championship". chsaanow.com. June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  45. ↑ "2016 CHSAA Boys Lacrosse Championships (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  46. ↑ "2017 CHSAA Boys Lacrosse Championships (Class 4A) - MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  47. ↑ "5A Boys Lacrosse: Valor Christian Wins Third Title, First Since 2017". chsaanow.com. May 20, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  48. ↑ "5A Girls Lacrosse: Valor Christian Captures First-Ever Girls Lacrosse State Title". chsaanow.com. May 16, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  49. 1 2 "Colorado CHSAA Outdoor State Championships - News - 2019 Results - Colorado CHSAA Outdoor State Championships". www.runnerspace.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  50. ↑ "CHSAA 4A State Championship - Team Scores - Track & Field Meet". www.athletic.net. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Colorado State Track and Field Championships - Team Scores - Track & Field Meet". www.athletic.net. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  52. ↑ "5A girls track and field: Valor Christian has enough to take fourth state title in six years". chsaanow.com. May 20, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Valor Christian three-peats as 5A girls golf champions". KUSA.com. May 21, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  54. ↑ New, Brent (May 21, 2025). "Ella Scott leads Valor Christian to 4th straight 5A girls golf title" . Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  55. ↑ Staff, M. H. S. (August 10, 2015). "Gwozdecky brings wisdom and humility to Valor -" . Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Ed McCaffrey - Head Football Coach - Staff Directory". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  57. ↑ Casey, Ryan; Devlin, Neil H. (January 2, 2013). "Valor Christian football coach Vieselmeyer leaving for college job". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  58. ↑ "Staff - Valor Christian Eagles (Highlands Ranch, CO) Varsity Baseball 21-22". www.maxpreps.com. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  59. ↑ Reinke, Kelly. "Coach says he left job after staff at Valor Christian High School told him he couldn't identify as a gay man". 9News. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  60. ↑ Finn, Maddie. "Colorado high school volleyball coach forced to renounce his sexuality or resign". Georgetown University Free Speech Project. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Second former Valor Christian coach says she was pushed out of school for being gay". Denver7. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  62. 1 2 3 Cleveland, Claire. "Coaches Say Valor Christian High School Questioned Their Sexual Orientation, Forcing Them Out. The Community Is Rallying Around Them". Colorado Public Radio News. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  63. ↑ Eastman, Katie; Sallinger, Marc. "After 2 Valor Christian coaches were questioned about being gay, students protest school's policy". 9News. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  64. ↑ Grimes, Thelma. "Valor Christian students hold protest in support of gay volleyball coach who said he was forced to quit". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Raegan Beers - 2021-22 - Girls Basketball". Valor Christian High School.
  66. ↑ "Colorado Girls Soccer POY: Janine Beckie". ESPN.com. May 23, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Get to know: Wyndham Clark". PGATour. PGA. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  68. ↑ Staff (June 7, 2010). "Three Colorado girls named Parade soccer All-Americans". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  69. ↑ Jones, Lindsay (June 16, 2012). "Jack and Luke Del Rio make football a father-son business". The Denver Post . Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  70. ↑ "Cori Dyke - 2023 Women's Soccer". Penn State - Official Athletics Website.
  71. ↑ Fromm, Courtney (February 11, 2023). "Valor Christian High School graduate 1st alum to play in Super Bowl". KDVR. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  72. ↑ "Anna Hall". Sportswomen of Colorado. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  73. ↑ Newman, Kyle (September 30, 2017). "Valor Christian's Ali Kilponen on track to become second Colorado prep pitcher to win four state titles". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  74. ↑ Devlin, Neil (November 9, 2013). "Christian McCaffrey makes run into record book". The Denver Post . Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  75. ↑ "Racing his way through Europe". The Castle Pines Connection. October 1, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  76. ↑ "Following global medal in Belgrade, Sant-Price ready to prove she belongs on world stage | FEATURE | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  77. ↑ "Four-star 2022 RB Gavin Sawchuk grounded and humble as he prepares for a slew of official visits: Buckeyes Recruiting Roundup". The Plain Dealer. April 19, 2021.
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