The school was organized, chartered, and established in 1972, opening in September of that year in the facilities of the First Baptist Church with eighteen students in grades 1-4, a headmaster, and one teacher.

  In 1975, the First Baptist Church voted to donate the old First Baptist Church building at 93 Meadowbrook Road to the Pioneer Valley Christian School to use as a high school for grades 9-12. After donation of the building, the Board engaged an architect to prepare plans for the complete renovation of the building for use as a school. A significant amount of the renovation was accomplished by volunteer labor and contributions. Pioneer Valley Christian School graduated its first class in the spring of 1980.

  The 1983-84 school year proposed a challenge with the need for PVCS to relocate grades K-8. The school was finally able to secure space in the Bethesda Lutheran Church and the Church of the Nazarene, both in Springfield. For one year, the school was housed in three locations presenting a challenge administratively, but the parents remained committed to the school and our numbers increased.

  During the spring of 1984, negotiations were begun for the purchase of Ursuline Academy, our present campus. The school was a modern facility, fully equipped, with a home on the 25-acre campus. It appeared that the purchase of the school would be financially impossible, but the parents, believing that nothing is too hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17), joined together and pledged $300,000.00 over three years to permit us to step out in faith for $900,000.00, the purchase price. What a milestone in the life of the school when we moved into the facility in August of 1985! The first year our enrollment increased from 135 to 225 students due to better accessibility and visibility. PVCS was able to separate all the elementary grades, and a preschool program was added. A library, gymnasium, cafeteria and science laboratory contributed much to school life. It was exciting to be in a "real" school building.

  During the ensuing three years, enrollment and the total program continued to grow. PVCS joined the New England Christian School Athletic Conference for athletic competition and increased participation in Association of Christian Schools International student activities. The school hired a Director of Development, Guidance Director, Administrative Assistant to the Headmaster, Director of Activities, and Principal to help ensure continued growth in quality of the total school program. The Discovery Center, a ministry to students with learning differences, was established in 1987 and a Resource Room in 1989. In the 1989-90 school year, the administration, faculty, and staff completed the arduous task of self-study in preparation for accreditation. In October of 1990, visiting teams from both the Association of Christian Schools International and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges favorably recommended Pioneer Valley Christian School, and the School was accredited by both organizations. During the 1991-92 school year, the Discovery Center underwent similar evaluation and was recommended for accreditation by the National Institute for Learning Disabilities. We thank God for the recognition accorded by these three organizations. God has been faithful in providing quality personnel in addition to the property. It is the continuing purpose of Pioneer Valley Christian School to give Jesus Christ preeminence.

  A vision for reorganizing board work was implemented through the leadership of Lloyd Stacy Emerson, who was Chairman for six years through the transition from East Longmeadow Christian Day School to Pioneer Valley Christian School. Drawing on the involvement of interested parents, various sub-boards were created under the chairmanship of Board members. By this mechanism, the workload was divided, and a vehicle was provided for preparation of prospective Board members.

  Several months after the school took possession of the new property, a new roof was required to protect the investment. Even as the Board secured a second mortgage, the financial burden became greater. Nevertheless, God provided the school with benefactors, one of whom had remembered the school in her will.

  Suddenly, several families were moved from the area to other jobs, and enrollment plummeted. The Board must wrestle with fiscal responsibility and the realities of a struggling economy. They took steps to build enrollment and sought assistance with fund raising. As enrollment stabilized and fund raising succeeded, the second mortgage was paid and the first mortgage was reduced, in large measure through the efforts of a Mortgage Reduction Committee established by the Board.

  The school has been blessed with parents who are committed to this ministry of Christian education. Since we came to our new facility, crews from the Ondrick Construction Company were sent to clear land, enhance the playground area, and create seven acres of athletic fields including a baseball field and a quarter-mile track surrounding an 8,250-square-yard soccer field. Student magazine sales campaigns have funded the purchase of up-to-date playground equipment. In 1996, the tennis court complex was dedicated along with a new PVCS sign provided by money from magazine drive sales. The front circle and parking lot were also resurfaced.

  PVCS celebrated its 25th Anniversary during 1996-97. The school has a staff or more than 50 dedicated laborers. The fine arts program is continually being developed. High school foreign language offerings embrace French and Spanish. Advanced placement courses include mathematics, sciences, and English. Our students enter competitions in science, art, music, spelling, mathematics, athletics, creative writing, and speech, bringing home awards of which they may be justly proud.