Equipped as Citizens: Fifth in the G.R.A.C.E. Series

As Christians, we are called to be "dual citizens," seeking the good of the nations and cities where God has placed us while advancing God's Kingdom on the earth. Here's a few examples of how students at Grace are equipped as citizens…

Engaged citizens have compassionate hearts and seek the good of those around them. We develop these traits in our students through partnerships with Christian ministries such as Operation Christmas Child and Children's Hunger Fund. We love how engagement with these organizations helps open our students' eyes to the needs around them and discover how they can make a difference in their community and world.

Each year in September, our school holds a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in which we honor first responders and reflect on the Christ-like sacrifice of so many brave individuals during the events of September 11th, 2001. By reflecting on these stories, we teach our students to honor and respect the brave first responders—police, firefighters, and others—who serve our communities and keep us safe.

Our Elementary and Jr/Sr High students also enjoy the opportunity to vote for their class leaders each year, experiencing the election process firsthand and learning about the blessing of living in a country where our vote matters.

An important part of being an equipped citizen is having a deep understanding of our nation's history and founding. This foundational knowledge provides context as we decide how to vote and how to participate in civic life. We can both draw inspiration from those who have come before, as well as learning from the mistakes of the past. Grace students study American history in 3rd grade, 5th grade, 8th grade, and 11th grade as well as US Government and Economics in 12th grade. Our 8th grade students also have the opportunity to travel to the East Coast for our Historical Studies Tour, a 12-day adventure from Virginia to Boston, walking in the steps of the founding fathers and experiencing American history firsthand. It's the trip of a lifetime!

ALUMNI IN ACTION

"I am pleased to say that I am a 'lifer' at Grace (preschool through 12th). My favorite memory, if I had to name just one, was the Historical Study Tour (HST) with my 8th-grade class. Little did I know, when touring the Capitol building, I would work there someday. I recently accepted a position in the Trump Administration and the Department of Education, where I will serve as Special Assistant for Operations in the Office of the Secretary. It has been an honor to work in Congress for nearly three years, and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for this next chapter! I am so thankful for what Grace has given me. To all my amazing teachers, thank you! I really couldn’t have made it to where I am today if it weren’t for your guidance."

 -Wiley Severyn, Grace class of 2020 

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