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!

In this insightful episode of The Cross and The Classroom, host Ashley Loaiza sits down with David Milton, a seasoned counselor and former Spanish teacher at Valor Christian. Together, they dive deep into the evolving landscape of mental health for today’s teenagers, discussing not only the unique pressures students face navigating both real and virtual worlds, but also the vital role of faith, family, school, and community in supporting young people.

David shares thought-provoking reflections on how the pressures of social media and the search for identity have created new challenges for today’s youth, challenges that previous generations never encountered. The conversation offers practical ways parents, educators, and the church can create a strong biblical foundation for students and foster environments where young people feel truly seen and supported.

Interesting Fact:
One particularly interesting point discussed is how today’s teens are essentially living “two lives” at once—one in person and one online—and that both students and parents are having to “make it up as they go” since previous generations never had to navigate a 24/7 digital presence.

Join Ashley and David for an encouraging, authentic look at how we can walk alongside the next generation with patience, wisdom, and hope.

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 podcast! In this episode, host Mike Sanford, head football coach at Valor Christian High School, leads a roundtable discussion with fellow champion coaches: Sam Geiersbach (women’s lacrosse), Justen Byler (men's and women's golf and assistant athletic director), and Jeremy Noble (men’s lacrosse).

Together, they share insights on the journey of becoming coaches at Valor, building winning cultures, and what it means to educate and inspire students through sport with eternal values. You’ll hear stories from Sam Geiersbach about winning a state championship mere months after getting hired, Justen Byler on fostering team spirit in golf, and Jeremy Noble's path from Toronto to lacrosse stardom and coaching.

Listen in to hear how these coaches shape young lives and build an environment of joy, selflessness, and togetherness at Valor Christian High School. Perfect for anyone interested in athletics, education, and leadership!

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 Toby Coffman welcomes back Ike Shepardson, Chief of Christian Integration and Discovery, to dive into the release of his new book, The Reconstruction Project. Together, they explore the vital role of apologetics in the Christian faith, address common misconceptions, and discuss how apologetics can lovingly remove obstacles to belief.

Dr. Shepardson shares insights into the current cultural trend of faith deconstruction and the top objections people raise against Christianity today—ranging from accusations of being anti-woman or anti-LGBTQ to concerns about hypocrisy within the Church. The conversation also includes practical advice for parents, students, and anyone interested in engaging thoughtfully with these tough questions.

One standout moment from the episode is Dr. Shepardson's discussion of the Ethiopian eunuch from the Book of Acts. He explains how this story illustrates God’s radically inclusive love—even for those considered outsiders—while also providing perspective on today’s debates about identity and belonging.

Tune in to hear how apologetics, approached with love and humility, can help guide honest conversations about faith, truth, and what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world.

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, host Natalie Tysdal sits down with Ashley Loaiza, Dean at Valor and former missionary, for an inspiring conversation about helping teenagers walk with Jesus—both in everyday life and through the challenges they face. Ashley shares her journey from the mission field in Costa Rica to her current role at Valor and opens up about her passion for student discipleship and mentorship.

One interesting fact discussed is the "Green Pastures Process," a restorative approach based on Psalm 23 that the deans use at Valor to guide students through mistakes and help them grow—emphasizing accountability, grace, and a soft place to land when things go wrong. Ashley also offers practical tips for families to encourage faith conversations at home, and shares how students and teachers at Valor integrate faith into daily routines.

Tune in for meaningful insights, real-life stories, and encouragement for parents, educators, and teens striving to follow Jesus in a busy world!

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

On this episode of The Cross and The Classroom, host Toby Coffman talks with Ike Shepardson (Dr. Shep), Valor Christian’s Chief of Christian Integration and Discovery, about practical ways students can grow in faith and keep Christ at the center of their lives.

Dr. Shep offers valuable advice for students facing today’s challenges of distraction, busyness, and the pressure for perfection. He emphasizes the importance of excellence balanced with grace, encouraging students to "fix your eyes on Jesus"—reminding them that their hope isn’t in material success but in a deeper relationship with Christ. He highlights regular chapel gatherings as vital opportunities for worship, reflection, and community, and shares how engaging in biblical conversations, honest prayer, and faith traditions can help students navigate their busy lives.

One practical tip: even in chaotic seasons like the holidays, set aside protected time for meaningful family traditions, like devotionals, simple prayers, and reflecting on Jesus together.

Interesting fact: Nearly 50 students publicly committed to their faith through baptism at a recent Valor event, showing the power of spiritual rhythms and community support for young people.

Tune in for encouragement and actionable tips for keeping Christ front and center in the midst of everyday challenges!

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