About Us
A Place Where Ambitious Young People Discover Who They're Capable of Becoming
At Valor Heights, we set out to produce interesting people — the kind who can walk into a room and have something meaningful to contribute. We don't teach to a test. Some of our students play soccer at a very high level. Some publish books, start businesses, travel the world, or serve their communities. We are a WASC-accredited, NCAA-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit private school in The Woodlands, Texas, serving grades 5–12.
Our Vision
To empower curious, compassionate, and driven students to lead lives of purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world.
- Learner Profile
- Curious. Compassionate. Driven.
- Educational Approach
- Authentic, real-world learning.
- Motto
- Learn by doing. Lead with purpose. Become who you're meant to be.
Our Mission
Transformative, Hands-On, Connected to the Real World
At Valor Heights, we believe education should be transformative, hands-on, and deeply connected to the real world. Rooted in the CompletED Experiential Learning Model, we foster creativity, curiosity, and character through project-based and purpose-driven education that emphasizes innovation, leadership, and community impact.
Traditional schools prepare students to pass tests. Valor Heights prepares students to build companies, publish books, lead campaigns, and compete at the highest levels of their sport. Every element of our program — from project-based mornings to integrated professional training — is designed to produce capable, confident young adults who have already done real things by the time they graduate.
Our Story
Born from a Gap in Traditional Education
Cherish Cahoon, a dedicated educator with years of experience, recognized a critical gap in traditional education. She saw firsthand that many students thrive when given the freedom to learn at their own pace, acquiring real-world skills that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. Valor Heights launched with a small pilot program and has since celebrated its first graduating class — a young school built on years of educational experience, now growing into one of the premier private schools in The Woodlands area.
Leadership
Cherish Cahoon, Head of School
Cherish leads with heart, purpose, and an unshakable belief in every student's potential. She brings deep experience across international education, Montessori practice, and curriculum innovation:
- 15 years teaching experience
- Texas Teaching Certificate
- American Montessori Society certified (Secondary I & II)
- International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme trained
- effect+ Global Competence Certification — AFS Intercultural Programs
- Bilingual educator; published author on AI in education
- Professional development through Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Our Values
The Standards We Hold Ourselves To
High Standards
“Good is the enemy of great.”
We refuse to settle — in the classroom, on the pitch, or in how we run the school. Excellence is a habit practiced daily.
Constant Improvement
“What worked? What didn't?”
Every project, every training session, every semester ends with honest reflection. We iterate on everything, including ourselves.
Integrity
“Are we serving well?”
We measure ourselves by how well we serve our students, our families, and our community — and we hold that question up constantly.
Come See the Difference in Person
Join a school that's redefining education. We're looking for curious, driven students who want to grow, create, and make an impact.