Welcome to The Cross and The Classroom. In today’s episode, we hear from Bryan Ritz, Head of School at Valor Christian High School, as he shares how Valor was founded with a bold vision—that faith-based education should never compromise on excellence. Since opening its doors in 2007, Valor has been intentional about blending academic rigor, artistic expression, and athletic achievement with deep spiritual formation. Bryan outlines the school’s mission to partner with parents, empowering students to discover their gifts and grow in wisdom, leadership, and service—all rooted in a vibrant, Christ-centered environment.

Looking to the future, Bryan introduces the new five-year strategic plan, V Squared 2030, crafted with community input and a commitment to build on strong foundations while pursuing virtue and vision. The plan focuses on attracting exceptional talent, fostering innovation, strengthening community, expanding access, and stewarding resources. As Valor enters this next chapter, Bryan invites the entire Valor community—parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends—to invest in the journey and help shape tomorrow’s leaders to transform the world for Christ.

Thank you for listening. To learn more about Valor Christian High School please check out our website. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Welcome to "The Cross and The Classroom"! In this episode, host Toby Coffman sits down with Dr. Kristine Wolberg, a seasoned educator with an impressive academic background. Together, they dive deep into the landscape of Christian higher education—exploring how the collegiate experience has changed over the years, the importance of choosing the right college environment, and the impact those choices have on a student's faith journey.

Dr. Wolberg shares heartfelt stories from her time teaching at various institutions and offers invaluable advice for families navigating the college decision process. She discusses why the culture of a college matters just as much as academics, and why surrounding yourself with a community that supports your faith can be a game-changer during this pivotal life stage.

Interesting Fact:
According to Dr. Wolberg, some Christian colleges, like Calvin University, have had a 100% law school acceptance rate for their graduates—an impressive statistic that even rivals top secular institutions.

Tune in for practical tips, candid conversations, and inspiring insights on helping your child or student thrive—academically and spiritually—through their college years.

Cited Sources:

Railsback, Gary. "Faith Commitment Of Born-Again Students At Secular And Evangelical Colleges." Journal Of Research On Christian Education 15.1 (2006): 39-60. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Apr. 2016. Contact the Valor Library for a copy of this article: librarians@valorchristian.com.

Residence Life on Christian Campuses:

https://cll.web.baylor.edu/ (Baylor)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWr6v34spcs&list=PLOwhmxkjjOYO_RxMRVIjnGvTfyWQv0S4Y&index=7 (Wheaton College)

https://www.google.com/search?q=taylor+university+residence+life&rlz=1C5GCEM_enUS1179US1179&oq=Taylor+University+residence+l&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBggBEEUYOTIICAIQAB (Taylor)

National Rankings

(Wheaton) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/wheaton-college-il-1781

(Baylor) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/baylor-university-6967

(Calvin) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/calvin-university-2241/overall-rankings

(Colorado Christian) https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/colorado-christian-university-9401/overall-rankings

Thank you for listening. To learn more about Valor Christian High School please check out our website. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

In this episode of The Cross and The Classroom, host Natalie Tysdal sits down with Laura Dykstra, Dean of Curriculum and Academic Development at Valor, to unpack the differences between Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit (DC) courses. Together, they explore how these programs help students get a head start on college credits, save money, and experience more flexibility and faith integration in their academic journey.

Laura Dykstra walks listeners through the range of dual credit options available—from Bible and history to business and science—revealing that some students even graduate with the equivalent of a full year of college already completed! She shares valuable advice for students and parents on selecting the right path, navigating transfer credits, and embracing academic challenges without becoming overwhelmed.

Interesting Fact:
The graduating class of 2025 at Valor earned a collective total of 953 college credits through dual credit courses—one student alone graduated with a remarkable 43 credits, nearly equaling an entire year of college.

Tune in to hear how advanced high school courses are shaping academic and spiritual growth at Valor, and why thoughtful course selection matters for future success!

Thank you for listening. To learn more about Valor Christian High School please check out our website. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!