I’m Vince Downey — 62 years old, a husband, father, grandfather, and Head of School at Calvary Christian School. I grew up in Orange County and have spent my entire life in Southern California. My story led me to the Palisades 13 years ago when I felt called to lead Calvary, a school that aligned not only with my passion for education but also with my faith. It’s been a tremendous blessing to live and work in this special community.
Let’s Share Your Story
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did your story begin, and what led you to the Palisades?
I’m Vince Downey — 62 years old, a husband, father, grandfather, and Head of School at Calvary Christian School. I grew up in Orange County and have spent my entire life in Southern California. My story led me to the Palisades 13 years ago when I felt called to lead Calvary, a school that aligned not only with my passion for education but also with my faith. It’s been a tremendous blessing to live and work in this special community.
How long have you lived or worked here — and what do you love most about it?
I’ve lived and worked in the Palisades for 13 years, and what I’ve loved most is the community. I truly believe there aren’t many places in West LA quite like the Palisades. The people here are friendly, genuine, and down-to-earth. In a world that often pushes us to focus on ourselves or curate an image, the Palisades feels like a place where people are looking for something deeper—connection, authenticity, and belonging. It’s a gift to be part of that kind of community.
Tell us about your work or your passion — past, present, or future. What lights you up?
Calvary Christian School is what brought me and my family to the Palisades. I’ve been in education my entire career, and this marks my 30th year serving as a principal or head of school. I came to Calvary because it offered something unique—strong academics combined with a strong Christian foundation. I had never led a Christian school before, but I felt God clearly calling me to use my spiritual gifts in this setting. What lights me up is being in education. I love working with students, walking alongside families, and doing life with my staff. It’s more than a job—it’s a calling. I feel incredibly blessed to do what I love in a place like the Palisades, surrounded by a community that values faith, education, and authentic relationships.
Tell us a little about your family, community or what “home” means to you.
I’ve been married for 36 years to a beautiful woman who is truly my biggest support system. Leading a school comes with both incredible highs and challenging moments, and she’s been by my side through it all. She’s an amazing mom to our three children—now 35, 33, and 26—and the best grandmother to our 18-month-old granddaughter. My wife has done a phenomenal job raising our family, and I’m so grateful that all three of our adult children live here in the L.A. area. In fact, our daughter also works at Calvary, which makes the school feel even more like home. I believe in the three “F’s”: Faith, Family, and Friends. To me, home is where those three things intersect—and I feel incredibly blessed to experience that here in the Palisades every day.
What’s something unique or special about the Palisades that you’ve experienced firsthand?
Over the past five years, our school community has faced some incredibly difficult moments—navigating COVID, mourning the loss of two beloved staff members, one to non-smoking lung cancer and the other to ALS, and most recently, dealing with the aftermath of the Palisades Fire. What has stood out most to me through it all is how this community shows up for one another. The way people come together—offering support, comfort, and strength—has been truly remarkable. But community isn’t something you build in a crisis. It’s something you cultivate over time—by showing up, loving each other well, celebrating life’s highs together, and leaning in when the hard seasons come. That’s what makes the Palisades special to me: a community that’s deep, real, and resilient.
Community Favorites
Is/Was there a local business that makes you feel nostalgic or rooted here?
Calvary Christian School and Calvary Church
Who’s the most interesting or inspiring person you’ve met here in the Palisades?
One of the most inspiring people I’ve met in the Palisades was Dave Ludwig, who sadly passed away a year ago from ALS. Dave served at Calvary Christian School for over 20 years and was our Middle School Head when he passed. He was a remarkable man—deeply committed to serving God and loving others. Even after his ALS diagnosis, Dave continued to lead and inspire our school and church community. His motto was “Get Busy Living,” and he truly embodied that every single day. He reminded us to live with purpose, to be grateful for each moment, and to walk closely with Christ. Dave’s life and legacy continue to impact me and so many others in our community.
Fire Reflection
What stands out most from your experience?
Several things stand out from my experience during the fire, but the first was the day we had to evacuate our entire campus—walking 460 students, from 2-year-olds to 8th graders, off campus and relocating three times due to fire threats, ash, and smoke. Our faculty and staff were absolute heroes that day, showing courage, calm, and care in an incredibly tense situation. Another unforgettable aspect has been witnessing the resilience and dedication of our teachers. They adapted overnight—teaching out of temporary office spaces in Santa Monica—and continued delivering an exceptional education rooted in academic excellence, Christian values, leadership, and service. Fifteen staff members lost their homes, and many more were displaced—some commuting two to three hours a day—yet they showed up every day with love and commitment to our students. That kind of devotion is something I will never forget.
Was there someone — a neighbor, local hero, or group — that really made a difference for you during or after the fires?
There were—and continue to be—so many people and organizations that made a difference through their prayers, words of encouragement, and generous donations. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming in the best way and serves as a powerful reminder that, at our core, we’re all created with a deep desire to help and love others. It’s how God designed us. That said, I can honestly say I wouldn’t still be standing today if it weren’t for my faith in God. He has been my strength, my refuge, and my constant through this incredibly difficult season.
What did the experience teach you about the Palisades or about yourself?
I spoke with so many people who lost everything—and that kind of loss is unimaginable. But what’s been even harder for many of us is the temporary loss of the Palisades community itself. That sense of connection, of being rooted in a place we love, has been shaken. We will rebuild the Palisades—I truly believe that. But right now, there’s a real and shared sense of grief. This experience has reminded me just how special this community is. The Palisades isn’t just a beautiful place to live; it’s a community built on relationships, shared values, and deep care for one another. That’s what makes it so hard to lose—and so worth fighting to restore.
A Few Fun Ones
What advice would you give to others — in life, work, or being a good neighbor?
My advice is simple: embrace each day and be glad in it. Don’t take today for granted. Embrace the people God places in your life—right in front of you—and be intentional about loving them well. Show up for others, in both big and small ways, because presence matters. At the end of the day, it’s not so much about where we are, but who we’re with. That’s what truly makes life rich.
What’s something about you that would surprise most people?
Something that might surprise most people is that I love to surf and spend time out in the ocean. It’s my sanctuary and my therapy room — a place that brings me peace and clarity. I feel truly blessed to live so close to the ocean, and I try to get out in the water as much as possible.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I plan to continue serving as Head of School at Calvary for at least the next five years. After that, I hope to retire and spend more quality time with my best friend—my wife—as well as with our kids and granddaughter, and hopefully, some more grandchildren in the future.
