September 11, 2026
Choosing a School in Vacaville: The VCS Advantage for College-Bound Athletes
Families sometimes assume that a student-athlete must attend a much larger high school to have the best opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. They may look at schools such as Vaca High, Vanden, or other large programs and assume that size automatically creates more visibility and opportunity. That is understandable, but it does not reflect how college recruiting actually works or the advantages students can receive in a smaller, more personal school environment.
Students at VCS have every opportunity to pursue collegiate athletics, and in some important ways, they may have an even better path. They can compete at a high level while receiving individual mentorship, academic guidance, recruiting resources, and personal support from coaches and staff who actually know them.
Results That Stand Out
Nearly 20% of last year’s VCS senior class went on to compete at the collegiate level across a variety of sports, colleges, and athletic divisions. That is an extraordinary result, roughly three times the commonly cited national average for high school athletes continuing into collegiate athletics.
That kind of success does not happen by accident. It reflects talented and hardworking students, committed families, strong coaching, and a school that helps students understand and prepare for the opportunities available to them.
The Advantage of Being Known
At a large high school, a student may be one of hundreds of athletes trying to navigate recruiting. At VCS, students can receive direct guidance from coaches and staff who know their abilities, goals, academic standing, and character. They are not simply another name on a roster or another profile in a database.
College coaches recruit individual athletes, not simply large schools. Talent, film, academic eligibility, communication, character, and finding the right collegiate fit all matter. VCS students are able to build those pieces while also benefiting from the individual attention that is much more difficult to provide in a larger environment.
Practical Recruiting Support
We recently hosted our 4th Annual Athletic Symposium to help VCS students and families better understand the collegiate recruiting landscape. Alina Lance, Associate Athletic Director at Sacramento State, shared important information about NCAA academic eligibility, recruiting timelines, scholarships, college communication, and the changing landscape of collegiate athletics.
Alicia Borges, VCS Head Volleyball Coach, also explained how VCS uses SportsRecruits to help serious student-athletes pursue college opportunities. Through this platform, students can create recruiting profiles, organize and share film, identify colleges that fit their athletic and academic goals, communicate with coaches, and receive guidance throughout the process. VCS staff can work individually with students and families rather than leaving them to figure everything out on their own.
Listen to the College Athletics Recruiting Presentation
We recorded the symposium so VCS families can benefit from the information even if they were unable to attend. The presentation offers a practical look at what families should be doing during high school and how VCS can help students move in the right direction.
Athletics with a Greater Purpose
Athletics are an important part of the VCS experience, but our purpose extends beyond wins, championships, or college offers. Athletics help students grow in discipline, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, character, and faith. We want students to pursue excellence while becoming young men and women who honor Christ in the way they prepare, compete, lead, and respond to adversity.
Families should not feel that choosing a smaller Christian school means giving up serious athletic opportunity. At VCS, students can receive strong competition, proven results, recruiting resources, academic preparation, and personal mentorship within a distinctly Christian environment. That combination is not a limitation. For many student-athletes, it is a real advantage.
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