Clear in Communication: Fourth in the G.R.A.C.E. Series

Good communication does not come naturally to most people; it is a skill that must be learned, practiced, and refined. But being a good communicator is essential to being a leader and an equipped citizen, as well as fulfilling the great commission and sharing our faith! Here's how we are equipping our students to be clear in communication…

Not many people enjoy speaking in public or writing an essay, but these skills are essential for everyone, regardless of where life takes you. Whether it's speaking at a job interview, writing a resume cover letter, presenting a proposal at a town council, or sharing the gospel with a neighbor, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively will serve our students well throughout their lives. This is why we believe communication skills are an essential part of a well-rounded education.

Through sensory play, art, and our "Handwriting Without Tears" curriculum, our preschool students develop fine motor skills in preparation for handwriting. Our unique K-1/K-2 Kindergarten program and phonics curriculum allow students entering first grade at Grace to be confident and fluent readers and writers. Our "Excellence in Writing" program encourages upper elementary students to create thoughtful, engaging, and persuasive writing in preparation for junior high. In High School, in addition to traditional English Literature courses, all students also take two writing-intensive classes to prepare for college-level writing.

By providing our preschool and kindergarten students with a language-rich environment through story reading, dramatic play, and phonetic awareness, we enable our students to develop clear and comprehensible speech. Students begin presenting projects in front of their peers as early as first grade, refining their speaking skills throughout elementary. As students transition to the upper campus, all seventh grade students will take a speech class to further hone their speech writing and public speaking skills, ensuring they will be ready for future college presentations, job interviews, and communicating with co-workers and customers as they step into the workforce. 

"While a student at Grace, I played soccer all 4 years and was part of 2 drama shows.  I was also the Senior Class President. Grace was really the training ground for where I learned that your testimony and your effort matter. I am thankful that Grace was a place where students have an opportunity to not be limited to being one thing and learn to do all tasks excellently. Grace is also the reason why I wanted to become a teacher. In addition to being a teacher, I am the Youth Director for Pleasant Valley Bible Church. It is a sweet opportunity to be able to minister to our students both at youth group and at school. One of the things I tell my students both at school and in youth group, is that Jesus is better. Jesus is better and life is that much more abundantly full of joy because of Him."  -Brandon Allen, Grace class of '14

Carissa Wilburn, Admissions Director Grace School Simi Valley, December 2025