Choosing a high school is one of the most consequential decisions a family makes. It is not just about the next four years. It is about what those four years build: the academic habits, the personal character, and the practical skills that carry a student through university and into adult life. At Liberty Christian School in Huntington Beach, California, college preparation is not a program added on top of education. It is woven into the fabric of everything we do.
The results speak for themselves. Over 95% of Liberty Christian graduates pursue higher education after graduation, with approximately 50% attending four-year universities. Our graduates have been accepted to institutions including UCLA, Johns Hopkins, West Point, UC Irvine School of Law, Azusa Pacific University, Cal State Long Beach, California Baptist University, and Point Loma Nazarene University. That breadth of outcomes reflects a school that prepares students not for a single path, but for wherever God is calling them.
Quick Summary
- Liberty Christian School's 7–12 curriculum aligns with UC "a-g" requirements and California State Standards
- Over 95% of LCS graduates pursue higher education; graduates have enrolled at UCLA, Johns Hopkins, West Point, and more
- Personalized college advising begins in 7th grade and continues through senior year
- LCS actively supports dual enrollment as a high-value alternative to AP classes
- The school has been continuously WASC accredited since 1994
- Faith formation and character development are integral to college readiness at LCS
A Curriculum Built to Meet University Standards
The foundation of college preparation at Liberty Christian is a rigorous, standards-aligned academic program. Our 7th through 12th grade curriculum is built around California State Standards and the "a-g" requirements of the University of California system. These are the exact prerequisites that UC and Cal State schools require for admission, which means students who complete the LCS course of study are not left wondering whether their transcript will hold up under university scrutiny. It is designed to.
To deliver that curriculum effectively, our teachers draw on materials from well-regarded publishers including Bob Jones, Savvas, McGraw Hill, and Positive Action. Rather than relying on any single approach, faculty bring their own expertise and instructional style to each classroom, using these resources as a foundation while enriching lessons with their own knowledge and experience. The result is teaching that is both academically rigorous and genuinely engaging.
Explore the full scope of what your high schooler would be studying on our 7–12 Curriculum page.
Project-Based Learning and the Skills Universities Want
A strong transcript gets a student into college. What happens after that depends on something deeper: the ability to think critically, collaborate under pressure, solve problems creatively, and communicate clearly. These are the skills that Liberty Christian's project-based learning model is designed to develop.
Delivered within an eight-block schedule, our academic program regularly calls on students to work in teams to design, build, and solve real-world challenges. This approach prepares students not just for specific subject matter, but for the environment of a university classroom and beyond. The competencies students develop through this model include:
- Critical thinking and logical reasoning
- Creative problem-solving under real constraints
- Collaboration and effective teamwork
- Perseverance through difficult challenges
- Written and verbal communication skills
By the time an LCS graduate walks into a college lecture hall or seminar room, these are not new experiences. They have been practicing these skills for years in a supportive, faith-centered environment where growth is the expectation.
Personalized College Advising Starting in 7th Grade
A school can offer an excellent curriculum on paper and still leave students underprepared if no one is walking alongside them to help them navigate the path from where they are to where they want to go. At Liberty Christian, that role is filled by Academic Dean Mrs. Jannette Martes, who also serves as our College Advisor.
What sets this advising relationship apart is its longevity. Mrs. Martes begins meeting with students in 7th grade and continues working with them through their senior year. This is not a one-time college counseling session in 11th grade. It is a sustained, personalized relationship built over time, one that allows her to genuinely know each student, understand their goals, and help them make decisions that serve their individual future.
Through this long-term advising process, students are supported in:
- Identifying their interests, strengths, and passions
- Understanding what universities look for in applicants
- Choosing coursework that aligns with their post-graduation goals
- Exploring college credit opportunities while still in high school
- Building a personalized academic plan that reflects their vision for the future
This kind of individualized attention has produced some meaningful outcomes, including students who graduated early when that was the right path. It reflects our commitment to customizing the academic experience around each student rather than asking every student to fit the same mold.
Personal advising goes hand in hand with a broader academic philosophy that treats each student as a whole person with a unique calling.
Dual Enrollment vs. AP: What We Recommend and Why
High school students today have more college credit options than ever before, and the choice between dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses is one families often navigate without a clear guide. At Liberty Christian, we offer both, and we are honest about which option tends to deliver the greater return on a student's academic investment.
Dual enrollment allows students to take actual, accredited college courses while still completing high school. The credits earned are real, transferable college credits. For most students, this represents a more direct path to reducing the overall cost of a college education, building genuine confidence in their ability to handle university-level work, and potentially accelerating progress toward a degree. For students who want AP options, we provide them. But we believe families deserve a straightforward conversation about what each path actually offers.
This student-centered honesty is one of the things that distinguishes the advising culture at LCS. For a deeper look at this comparison, read our article on dual enrollment vs. AP classes.
WASC Accreditation and Why It Matters to Universities
When a student applies to a university, the accreditation status of their high school matters more than many families realize. Admissions offices need assurance that a student's transcript represents a genuine, recognized educational experience measured against established academic standards.
Liberty Christian School has been continuously accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1994. WASC accreditation is not a one-time certification. It is an ongoing process that involves institutional self-evaluation, peer review by qualified educators, and demonstrated commitment to meeting high academic standards over time. Graduating from a WASC-accredited school means receiving an education that is nationally recognized, one that opens doors whether a student pursues higher education, enters the workforce, or follows another meaningful path.
For families comparing private school options in Orange County, that more than three-decade track record is worth noting. Learn more about what our accreditation means on our Accreditation page.
Character and Faith Formation as College Readiness
There is a dimension of university readiness that transcripts cannot capture and standardized tests cannot measure. It is the character of the student who shows up. Colleges and employers are not only looking for academic preparation. They are looking for young people who can navigate a complex environment with integrity, who can lead and serve others well, and who have a strong enough sense of purpose to carry them through genuinely difficult seasons.
This is where the Christian education component of an LCS experience becomes directly relevant to what happens after graduation. Our Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) articulate what we are intentionally building in every student:
- Academic Achievement: Mastering foundational skills, applying critical and creative thinking, and demonstrating communication competency
- Christlike Behavior: Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and respect for self and others
- Personal Growth: Developing skills for present and future success through academics, athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular involvement
These are not aspirational statements on a wall. They are the outcomes we work toward every day and the qualities that our graduates carry with them into whatever comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Liberty Christian School's curriculum meet UC and Cal State admission requirements?
Yes. The 7–12 curriculum at Liberty Christian is built around California State Standards and the University of California "a-g" requirements, which are the standard prerequisites for admission to both UC and Cal State schools. Students who complete the LCS course of study are on track to meet those requirements.
What percentage of Liberty Christian graduates pursue higher education?
Over 95% of LCS graduates pursue higher education after graduation, with approximately 50% attending four-year universities.
Where have Liberty Christian graduates been accepted?
LCS graduates have been accepted to a range of institutions including UCLA, Johns Hopkins, West Point, UC Irvine School of Law, Azusa Pacific University, Cal State Long Beach, California Baptist University, and Point Loma Nazarene University, among others.
Does Liberty Christian offer dual enrollment?
Yes. Liberty Christian actively supports dual enrollment for high school students and views it as one of the most valuable college preparation opportunities available. Dual enrollment allows students to earn real, transferable college credit while still completing their high school education.
How early does college advising begin at Liberty Christian?
College advising begins in 7th grade. Academic Dean and College Advisor Mrs. Jannette Martes works with students from 7th grade through senior year, building a long-term, personalized relationship designed to help each student develop an academic path aligned with their individual goals.
Is Liberty Christian School accredited?
Yes. Liberty Christian has been continuously accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) since 1994. This accreditation ensures that the school meets nationally recognized academic standards and that an LCS diploma is recognized by universities and employers.
A Foundation That Carries Forward
The goal of college preparation at Liberty Christian is not simply to produce students who receive acceptance letters. It is to send graduates into the world who are genuinely ready to thrive academically, socially, and personally in whatever environment they enter. That requires a rigorous curriculum, attentive and sustained advising, meaningful opportunities for growth inside and outside the classroom, and a character formation that goes deeper than any test can reach.
From the UC "a-g" aligned coursework and personalized advising that begins in 7th grade, to dual enrollment opportunities and more than three decades of WASC accreditation, Liberty Christian has built a college preparation program refined over years of genuine investment in student outcomes. The 95%+ higher education pursuit rate among our graduates reflects that commitment.
If you are exploring whether Liberty Christian might be the right fit for your student's future, we would love to connect with you. Reach out through our contact page to schedule a tour and see firsthand what the LCS community is about.