For over 50 years, John Knox Christian School and Vancouver Christian School have faithfully offered excellent Christian education to students and families in the Greater Vancouver Area: John Knox offering K-7 and Vancouver Christian offering K-10. In 1999, the feeling began to grow that together to they could partner to offer parents Christian Education from Kindergarten through to Grade 12. It was not a new feeling, but a recovery of a vision that had existed in the schools for years. The desire to open up a Christian high school nearby revived naturally and developed quickly. What if students could attend a Christian high school in Burnaby instead of Surrey or Richmond? What if the strong faith communities that surrounded these two grade schools could extend to include Grades 9 through 12?
Parents, staff, administrators all became excited at the possibility. The feeling was nurtured and formulated into a bold vision, and in 2000, a team of parents and administrators came together and established a task force made up of parents and administrators from JKCS, VCS, and Fraser Valley Christian High School. They set out for themselves a timeline, with the proposed opening date of September 6, 2005. For two years they planned and prepared and prayed for this new high school. At last the communities of JKCS and VCS were able to launch Carver Christian High School. In February 2005, JKCS and VCS formally signed a participation agreement for the operation of Carver. Mr. Paul Tigchelaar was hired as the school’s first Principal, and on September 6, 2005, Carver Christian High School opened its doors to 77 students from Grades 9 through 11. A year later, as student enrolment increased, Carver was able to add Grade 12. In September of 2011 Carver will add grade 8 to create an 8/9 Junior High School Program.
God blessed the opening of this new school: enrolment was higher than expected and continues to increase each year. The joy of success is found not only in increasing numbers but also in the dedication of gifted and passionate staff, the enthusiasm of the students, the support of our community, and the presence of God in our halls, offices, and classrooms.
Carver is a diverse community that embraces students from various denominations and cultural backgrounds. Carver teachers are committed to teaching from a Christian perspective, out of a Biblical worldview, and to striving to truly integrate faith and learning in each class. In all its facets, Carver Christian High School is committed to glorifying God through excellence.
