Milpitas Christian School

Parents beware: «Mean girls» are present at MCS! Though the school touts its anti-​bullying curriculum, its efficacy remains questionable. The nurturing, Christian environment the school fosters is also its Achilles heel – the administrators and teachers do not take a firm enough stance on bullying and other behavioral issues.
Through endless flowing tears, my child said these heart-​wrenching words to me one day: «I treat others like the Bible tells me to but not everyone does what the Bible says.» That was in Kindergarten. (Yes! That young!!!)
Now a 7^th grader, my child is again confronted by mean girls. I cannot fight her battles for her, and it PAINS me to see her suffering day after day.
When I asked my child, «What can I, the principal, or teachers do to help,» my 7^th grader said, «Teachers and adults at the school who allow bullying to perpetuate are in no position to aid the situation. They should just keep turning a blind eye since that seems to be what they want to do anyway.» Powerful words from a child who survived bullying at MCS. (THANK YOU Mr. Richards for helping my child find self-​worth and confidence!)
There are only roughly 40 students in any given grade (2 classes of 20), so «social» issues common in the upper grade levels are HIGHLY concentrated. Many of the children have been together since K or 1^st grade. If a couple of kids don’t like you, it’s really hard to hide or make «new» friends because there are so few students and new transfer students are RARE (but a welcomed blessing).
I have been a long-​time supporter of MCS and have recommended countless families to the school. The school has its positives and negatives. MCS is not «the best» school in the Bay Area; it does have a blemish or two.
The elementary program, anchored by knowledgeable, loving teachers like V. Urbach, K. Carag, and K. Uzake, is strong and the small class sizes seem more advantageous for this age group. Each teacher has a dedicated aide to grade papers so the focus is on teaching and your child. More face time with teacher per child.
The middle school program is academically strong but socially broken. Some teachers are too rigid and set unattainably high expectations. Students with learning disabilities or committed to after-​school sports are at a huge disadvantage because the homework load is relentlessly dense. Teen issues are also highly concentrated and not addressed as sternly. If you or your child has an issue with a particular teacher’s teaching style, you are stuck – there isn’t another teacher or class to transfer to.
Bottom line: I made the financial investment all these years because I assumed teachers at a private Christian school will create a safe environment for my children and give them extra help if they needed it. A private school «must» be better than the public school down the street, right?
Not necessarily.
I did not pay thousands of dollars to have my children bullied or made to feel ignorant. Children will be children whether at a public or private school.
Select MCS for your child knowing that the school isn’t perfect and is similar to a «good» public school (but the overall quality of your child’s experience here is highly dependent upon the teacher and student body). Every school will have its fair share of issues. No school is perfect. MCS is no exception.

My son has attended Milpitas Christian School for 6 years and just this year we enrolled our second child in their Transitional Kindergarten program. The school has nurturing teachers that are passionate about teaching our children strong academics, and also building character in our children. Additionally, Milpitas Christian has an on-​site learning lab for tutoring/​enrichment programs, computer lab, and full music/​choral programs. The best education for your money.

As a long time parent, I’m proud of Milpitas Christian School. My first of three children is now graduating. And the last one just started this year. And the middle one doesn’t want to go anywhere else. Their time spent here at MCS will be such memorable moments. Faculty is both God fearing and student loving. Their commitment to the students with love of Christ is admirable. And their accommodation to your needs is appreciative. I don’t hesitate recommending MCS to anyone looking for value and teaching Christ-​like characters to their children.

Full disclosure alert: I work here, but I also send my son to school here. He’s going into first grade, and I have been so excited, since he was born, to have him go here (not just because I am an employee).
I have to say that Milpitas Christian School offers the best value for its price. Natasha N. (a former student of mine) said the school is expensive. Tuition for three kids at one time surely must have been. But compared to other private schools in the area, you get more for your money at MCS, and it’s much less expensive than the other comprehensive private schools around.
I have yet to meet anyone (and I meet parents and teachers from all over California and elsewhere) who has ever heard of a school with an outdoor education program like MCS has. The fourth grade trip is an overnight, but 5^th-​8^th go for 4 days and 3 nights per year (sometimes longer, depending on the calendar). They go to Columbia (4^th), Sebastopol (5^th), Marin Headlands (6^th), Boulder Creek (7^th), and Coloma (8^th). The students bond with each other and with their teachers so much during these experiences. I look forward to my son attending these trips. The 8^th Grade DC trip, which I got to go on in in 2008, is the perfect culmination of a fantastic educational experience.
One thing I have noticed at MCS is that students who are new to the school fit in really well fairly quickly. The kids are great, like a family, and they accept with open arms almost everyone with little coaching. By the end of a school year, it’s hard to tell who started just that year and who has been there since preschool.
Finally, the technology education is streets ahead of what most schools offer. Students attend computers class once a week in grades 1 through 5, and twice a week in middle school. They begin using Microsoft Office applications right away in first grade. They build on their skills more each year, get their own e-​mail account (filtered) beginning in third grade, and use more «cloud apps» like Google Docs as they progress through their years at MCS. In middle school, they get to make movies and create photography projects. They create new content for Google Earth starting in fourth grade.
I am VERY excited to have my son begin attending computer class this coming year. There are also many after-​school opportunities available at extra cost. The instrumental music program is excellent.
Visit MCS during an open house, or call to arrange a tour, and you’ll be impressed with what they offer.

This place contains my childhood
Ive attended this private school from TK up to eight grade year.
Going to a small place like this, ive grow up with the same people, and developed a lifelong friendship with most of them. all of share childhood memories and funny experiences. Im in the graduating class of 2007, which is 37 people!
you get an outdoor ED (i think they call it science camp?)each year starting from 4^th grade. overnighters in the forest. Each progressing year the days get longer and more intense. (4^th grade is one night, eighth is 7 nights.)
For the eighth grade trip we went backpacking for a week. in a group of ten. Everyday we hiked about 2 miles in uphill terrain. one day was solely dedicated upon a hike up a ridge and repelling of the face of the cliff. We took shifts cooking, cleaning, iodizing water and on the last day, the leaders gave us a map and told us to find the way back to basecamp some 5 miles away. the nights were cold and we had no showers all week. we also had a choice of taking a plunge in the lake which consisted of melted snow. freezing! but, it wiped off the grime and dust from hiking. at the end of the day, we gathered around the fire we lit ourselves and had reflections. we talked about God and our relationship with him. then we fell exhaustively into our sleeping bags and slept under the stars. one the last day, everyone was separated and sent off to different parts of the woods.
the best trip though, was the Washington DC trip. Everyone goes on a plane and heads off to the East coast. It was a shock, because we werent used to the frigid weather, being Californians.
we hit Washington DC, Gettysburg, Philadelphia, New york. and the states in between cause we took a charter bus. stayed in nice hotels with two friends you choose. I had a room with no chaperons and it was hella fun. and everyone toured the national mall and lots of memorials and museums. Smithsonian, Holocaust, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, White house, Pentagon, statue of liberty. Broadway was spectacular! paid 65 to see ’ Wicked’ in the Gershwin Theater. Most of these places i would not have been to if not for this trip. my, entire class went and we had a simply marvelous time.
this isnt even going to the everyday happenings on campus. teachers are phenomenal and you get to know each one of them personally. classes split our class in two. homerooms divide us into three. the middle school section is relatively small, we had cubbies instead of lockers. and you hang up your backpacks and carry a binder around instead. We ate in the cafeteria for our elementary years and outside for middle. each Tuesday we have Chapel. There were load of field trips, assemblies and who can forget, Ocean WEEK! Its amazing how close everyone is. its like having a big family.
MCS shaped me into what i am today. To always try my hardest, push for the best, and instilled in me a sense of morals. thanks.
there is a uniform system here. pleated skirt or pants. in Navy or Khaki, and you have to wear a belt with it. (its rumored there was a «pantsing» epidemic. All the teachers insist the rule is enforced so that the school looks «nicer»)
polo shirts in maroon, navy, white, (used to have green and it was my favorite: c) school logo sweaters in navy, maroon. the embroidery is gold. navy cardigans. maroon and gold sweatvests.
elementary kids can wear plaid jumpers and skirts.
socks must be white or navy, or not showing if their colored. shoes are all black or white.
so, you can understand my enthusiasm when i came to a public high school. i haven’t ever worn a polo shirt after.
alas there is no: Gym, Pe uniforms,
tuition was expensive, parents sent all three of us.