By Redaccion
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Trinity Pacific Christian School and Valley View Middle School were crowned champions in the high school and middle school divisions, respectively, at the 2025 Ventura County Mock Trial.
The competition, organized by the Ventura County Office of Education, brought together over 750 students who took on roles in a fictional courtroom case.
Trinity Pacific dominates high school division
Trinity Pacific Christian School reaffirmed its dominance in the high school division by securing its fourth consecutive title at the Ventura County Mock Trial. The final took place at the Hall of Justice in the Ventura County Government Center, where Royal High School claimed second place.
At the awards ceremony held at the Ventura County Office of Education, the top eight high school teams were announced:
1. Trinity Pacific Christian School (Team 1)
2. Royal High School
3. Trinity Pacific Christian School (Team 2)
4. Saint Bonaventure High School
5. Oak Park High School (Team Black)
6. Westlake High School (Team 1)
7. Oak Park High School (Team Gold)
8. Newbury Park High School (Team 2)
Trinity Pacific’s outstanding performance not only secured the local championship but also earned them the opportunity to represent Ventura County at the state Mock Trial competition in Los Angeles. The school has previously won the state title, including victories in 2021 and 2024.
The high school division featured 22 schools, with students taking on roles as prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, and journalists in the fictional case People v. Gold, centered on the kidnapping of a city council candidate.
Valley View shines in middle school division
In the middle school division, Valley View Middle School from Simi Valley claimed the title by earning the highest score in the final round, surpassing Mesa Union School, which finished in second place.
The top five middle school teams were:
1. Valley View Middle School
2. Mesa Union Middle School
3. Trinity Pacific Christian School
4. Medea Creek Middle School
5. Hillside Middle School
Ventura County is one of the few counties in California to include a middle school division in the Mock Trial competition. Now in its third year, the division featured 229 students from nine schools.
The Ventura County Office of Education, along with judges and local attorneys who volunteered as scorers, highlighted the competition as an educational tool that helps students develop skills in argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking within a simulated courtroom setting.
The complete list of winners and additional competition details are available at vcoe.org/mocktrial.
