Who would have known that, as a 13-year-old, my journey at Coastline Christian Schools was just beginning? As I prepared to enter high school, my mom was seeking a new school for all three of her children and was immediately drawn to CCS. Inspired by Christ-centered teaching, academic excellence, and the celebration of our Chinese heritage, what was not to like? So, on a warm August morning in 1997, my sister and I began our CCS story—accidentally wearing non-approved uniforms, I might add!

Adjusting to the culture at CCS took time, but slowly I began to notice something different, something I had never experienced at any of the public schools I had attended before. The smaller community created a place where people knew your name, your voice was heard, and there was a genuine commitment to your success. Over the course of my *high school years, I formed life-long friendships, began dating my husband, and was shaped by countless models of Christ-centered leadership. The quality education I received positioned me to attend the University of California, Davis, but the relationships I formed brought me back to attend church at Bay Area Chinese Bible Church and reconnected me to the CCS community.

When our children reached school age, with the support of our parents, we enrolled all three at CCS. The same men and women who poured into Jon’s and my life were now teaching our children. Through the challenges of the pandemic, physical and learning struggles, the loss of loved ones, and the everyday joys and trials of raising three young children, the CCS community supported us. Our children would often share stories of cooking class, chapel, school lunches, sporting events, and trips to the nurse’s station with smiles and appreciation.

As parents, we frequently pause to remind ourselves and our children how blessed we are that they get to attend all-dayers, trips camping and to the East Coast, and to have opportunities to serve our Lord through mission trips coordinated through CCS. While there are so many amazing opportunities for students at CCS, there is one thing that is even greater: the people who serve at CCS. We have inherited uncles, aunties, and a wide extended family who care not just about grades or accomplishments, but about our hearts.

In 2024, I was offered the opportunity to give back to CCS by serving on the School Board. It was not a commitment I took lightly, but I accepted, hoping to pour into the ministries that once served me and continue to bless our family. And, unsurprisingly, I have yet again witnessed how the Board and School Leadership lead in love. Students, parents, and family members are known by name and prayed for specifically. CCS ministers not only to students but also transforms families and communities.

God’s plan for me was written a long time ago, and I am so blessed and grateful that CCS is part of my story. May we continue to be a blessing for this generation and the generations to come.

– Mrs. Carol Lee

CCS Alumni, Parent, and School Board Member

*at the time CCS was a K-12 school

As we gather to celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, let us count our blessings one by one. One of the blessings I am especially thankful for is Coastline Christian Schools (formerly known as Chinese Christian Schools) and Chinese Bible Church. As new immigrants, my family could not afford the tuition. Fortunately, we received financial assistance from the school and church, allowing my siblings and me to enroll at CCS in 1980. My life changed in the 4th grade when my teacher, Mr. Timothy Lee, shared the plan of salvation with each student individually. I realized that I am a sinner, confessed my sins, and asked Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior. Besides learning academics in the classroom, I also learned good work ethics outside the classroom. Throughout my junior high and *high school years, I worked at the cafeteria for four hours a week (which allowed me to skip class twice a week!), cleaned the classrooms every day after school, and worked at the school during the summer. Without CCS, I do not know where I would have ended up.

When my husband and I became parents, it was easy for us to enroll our daughter and son at CCS. It gave us great comfort knowing that our children were safe and well cared for at this school. They enjoyed the healthy, warm lunches prepared by Mrs. Tom and her team. The academics at CCS are also top-notch, with each subject grounded in Biblical principles. They were taught the truth and learned that God loves them. It was “fun” learning the Singapore Math approach with them and helping them with their science projects. In addition to the high academic standards, we participated in many school activities with them, such as cheering them on at various school games, joining RAM runs and field trips, and celebrating classroom holiday parties. We also spent seven years involved in Odyssey of the Mind, sharing the highs and lows of each competition and traveling to Iowa and Michigan for the world championships. CCS provided these opportunities to our children.

After our children graduated from CCS, they enrolled in a public high school. Currently, our daughter will begin graduate school this coming January, and our son will start his second semester as a freshman. I asked them what they are thankful for at CCS. They shared their gratitude for the teachers, who truly cared for each student, from the letters from Mrs. Tsang in kindergarten to the encouragement from Mr. Camburn in 8th grade. The high academic standards at CCS helped them develop strong study skills and discipline, which prepared them for high school and college. Lastly, they developed close relationships with their classmates and continue to keep in contact with them to this day. My son’s friends came to his high school water polo championship game, and my daughter’s friends surprised her at her undergraduate graduation. They said that if they have children in the future, they will enroll them at CCS.

As I look back on all these years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the impact CCS has had on my life, my children’s lives, and our family as a whole. The school has not only provided an excellent education but also shaped our character, strengthened our faith, and surrounded us with a loving community. For all these blessings, both past and present, we give thanks and look forward to the generations who will continue to be touched by CCS.

– Mrs. Soo Yee Kong

Alumni – Class of 1990, Parent of CCS Graduates

*at the time CCS was a K-12 School

As we are getting ready for our 8th grader’s graduation ceremony, I can’t help but reflect back how much CCS has been part of our family’s life especially our children’s intellectual and spiritual growth.  I want to sincerely thank the CCS teachers, staff for making the past 9 years such a wonderful experience for our kids.

We are excited to see our 8th grader enter high school soon as we also have a 11th grader who is doing well in high school (AP and honor classes) thanks to the great foundation for learning habits built at CCS.

We would like to leave this message for future parents who are researching for their kids’ school just like we were 9+ years ago.

Why CCS?

CCS is a more than a school. It’s a close knit community between the teachers, staff, students and parents where we supported each other especially throughout the COVID-19 years.

Because of the strong adherence to the county health policy and implementation of well followed processes (daily morning temperature check, etc), CCS was able to open back up in-person learning consistently and earlier than other  schools in the area.

During this tough Covid period, the constant communication from the principal, VP and teachers have kept the parents informed while taking the parents input into planning out the school curriculums.

Founded on strong Christian values and rigorous academic disciplines while embracing a world-wide view of diverse cultures of our community, CCS is a great place to prepare our children to face their next challenge in high school, college and beyond.

Having just finish middle school with our 8th grader, we also really appreciate the dedication the teachers and coaches put into the sports and creative programs. It was great to witness the kids playing flag football and soccer on the new community-supported turf field with team spirit and enthusiasm after 1.5 years of no sport.

It was wonderful to see the school bring back the spring concert, play and musical this year. Your heart will melt too if you see those cute Kindergartners singing and dancing on stage.

There are also spelling bee, math Olympics, speech meet, Odyssey of the Mind competitions where teachers, students and parents working together to bring the best out of our kids.

In summary, attending CCS has helped not only shaped our kids’ academic future, it also help shape the whole-person intellectually and spiritually. Because of CCS, ours kids are ready to face the next challenges in school and in life.

Thank you CCS for cultivating the whole-person for our children. We look forward to continue to support and engage where we can even though the learning part of the journey is over for our kids here.

十年树木, 百年树人

灣區基督教學 (CCS) 是一所值得委託您孩子教育的學校