I am Valerie Burnette. My music goes way back.  My grandmother was a piano teacher in a Chicago area college, and when she visited my parents she worked with me at the piano from newborn on.  It paid off.  I was playing for special occasions in public in the Zion area at the age of three. My parents were killed in a plane accident when I was 6.  My grandmother, who became my guardian, worked hard with me and finally turned me over to a concert pianist for further training.  I began teaching my grandmother’s advanced students and some beginners at the age of 12.  I also played the organ, trumpet, French horn, accordion and had taken some violin lessons from my aunt.  I taught many private lessons to children and adults, worked in music studios, worked with the public school junior high school band director helping students that needed extra helps and preparations for competition. I taught piano (children and adults), band, vocal, and choir (adult and children’s) at Lighthouse Baptist Church then known as Christian Fellowship (Baptist) Bible Church, and Zion Christian School and entered my students in a number of competitions, bringing home trophies and even a college scholarship. I developed a musical patriots program and took it and my ZCS students on the road 10 to 12 days a year for eight years. We traveled through many states performing at churches, Christian schools, state capitals and the capital building in D.C.. It was a wonderful experience. I will be teaching piano lessons at the school this year during and after school.  You may contact me through the school office for arrangements.

Announcements

Kindergarten
We accept 4 year olds that will turn 5 by October 31st into our 5 year old kindergarten. We also have sturctured kindergarten classes for 3 and 4 year olds.

Discounts
We have discounts for two or more children in the family. We also have pastorial, military and single parent discounts.

Transportation
We have transportation available from Waukegan, North Chicago, Beach Park, and Zion to Zion Christian School and back on a first come, first serve basis. The cost varies per location and per ride to, from, or both ways.

Computers
We will give a tax write off for your old computer with XP operating system. We will accept keyboard, monitor and mouse.




MISSION STATEMENT

It is the Mission of Zion Christian School to provide the people of our diverse low-income community, whose children attend our school, with a higher standard of education emphasizing academic excellence thereby enabling them to secure and improve their community socially, economically, and spiritually.
In accomplishing this mission, the Church School is utilizing the “A Beka Book” curriculum produced at Pensacola Christian College, Pensacola, Florida (established in 1974) due to the reputable history it has earned since it was first incorporated into the education of children in 1954 in Pensacola Christian Academy (formally, Pensacola Christian School). The A Beka Book curriculum has earned the respect of teachers across the country for its tendency to far exceed the requirements of public school systems. When compared by the Stanford Achievement Tests, students taught under this curriculum acquire consistently higher scores than the overall national test average, which includes scores from students of public schools as well as other private schools.
Zion Christian School will operate and maintain its goal to offer our children a learning opportunity that is not only free of gang and drug activities but that will also enhance their emotional growth and education, development opportunities in Physical Education, Technical Sciences, and the Arts. This will enable them to meet the challenge of an increasingly competitive environment.
Zion Christian School is a daughter organization of Lighthouse Baptist Church under the General Not for Profit Corporation Act of the State of Illinois in 1974, and is a 501 (c) (3) organization.