Fair 97° F

Home > Local News > Local News
By Dixie Weekly News
Valor Hall, a private school founded in 1997, recently completed a major remodeling project. The building at 631 South 1100 East received a new façade, new administrative offices and expanded classroom facilities. The school will also be opening a second location at 611 N. 2450 East in St. George for the fall session.
Tena Raleigh, the school’s director, is pleased with the results of the remodeling project on their 1100 East facility.
“It was a long, drawn-out job,” Raleigh said, “but it was worth it because we have such a better, larger and more aesthetically pleasing building.”
Construction was supposed to be finished by the start of classes last fall, but due to time lags in dealing with permits and occupancy certificates, the finish was significantly delayed.
“We had to rent classrooms in a nearby office building for several weeks until we could get our occupancy permit from the city,” Raleigh said. “It is so nice to finally be in our own facility.”
Valor Hall was originally started by a small group of local citizens who wanted to give students in the area the opportunity for a Christian-based education, said school officials. Some of Valor Hall’s academic material is published by Bob Jones University, a Christian college. The school is a non-denominational religious school serving children from age 4 through eighth grade.
“Our mission is to provide a challenging academic curriculum that is interwoven with the moral and ethical principles inherent in all religions,” Raleigh said. “We hold a daily devotional in which we teach character virtues, and the students are allowed to pray in whatever way they feel comfortable.”
Raleigh said Valor Hall’s curriculum meets or exceeds the Utah State Office of Education guidelines in all areas.   
Valor Hall Principal Jaime Wilson said the school offers a traditional curriculum of math, science, English, history, physical education, music, Spanish, and computer skills.
“We are very proud of our curriculum,” Wilson said. “Our English course teaches Latin and Greek root words, which improves reading comprehension and also prepares students to learn certain foreign languages more easily.”
Wilson said Valor Hall’s P.E. class conforms to the presidential fitness guidelines.
“We use Cleon Skousen’s exceptional textbook, ‘The Making of America’ in our sixth- and seventh-grade history class,” Wilson said.
Skousen is a university professor well-known in educational circles, Wilson said.
 “We want our students to gain a sound understanding of and an appreciation for our unique governmental system,” she said.
Valor Hall also offers summer camps in math, reading and science.   
Raleigh said the school forbids teasing, bullying and swearing.
Valor Hall places a strong emphasis on the particular needs of each student, Raleigh said. Class size does not exceed 14 students, and each classroom has a teacher and an aide, so students get a lot of individual attention.
“We encourage students to go at their own pace,” Raleigh said. “We have fourth-grade students in sixth-grade math classes, and sometimes vice-versa, depending on each student’s needs and abilities.
“Our students and their parents have commented on the family-like atmosphere they feel at Valor Hall,” Raleigh said. “That warms our hearts because it is just what we try to provide here.”
Registration for fall 2008 is being taken. Interested parents can visit www.valorhall.com or call 688-9311.

---