Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What grade levels are taught at Highland Christian School?
A: Highland Christian School provides pre-kindergarten through grade 8 programs. Our pre-K program is known as the Sonshine Enrichment Center and is housed in the main building. The options are two or three day programs, each with morning and afternoon sessions. In addition, we offer a five-full or five-half pre-school program. Classes are taught by dedicated Christian teachers preparing children for the transition to kindergarten programs. Highland Christian School offers two kindergarten options: full-day three day, and full-day five day. (SEE FAQ Kindergarten Schedule.) Two-way bus service is available to transport students. Highland Christian offers an educational program for all students through eighth grade, with two sections per grade. The junior high (grades six through eight) are taught in a junior high model: a period schedule, subjects taught by academic area specialists. All of our students, first through eighth grade benefit from professional instruction in music, art, and physical education. We provide extra-curricular programs in the fine arts and in competitive athletics.
Q. What is the kindergarten schedule?
A. The schedule for kindergarten follows the school calendar. Our full-day programs begin at 8:30 AM and end at 3:15 PM. Parents may choose either a 3 full-day program on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or a 5 full-day program on Monday through Friday. For half-day students, one way bus service is available in areas within the bus routes.
Q. What kind of curriculum does Highland Christian School have?
A. Highland Christian curriculum materials are reviewed and selected by a faculty and administrative committee. The materials are not from a single publisher but are selected for their content, quality, and compatibility with a Christian perspective. HCS seeks the highest quality academic materials to serve the mission, but we believe that the teacher is the master of the curriculum, and that a variety of curriculum materials allow opportunities to teach students to view all knowledge through the scriptural lens and to apply principles of Biblical integration. We use materials published by Christian Schools International, Saxon, and Scott Foresman, MacMillan, Houghton Mifflin, and many other publishers.
Q. Does Highland Christian School have a program for children with learning disabilities?
A. Highland Christian provides academic support services for students with learning difficulties. Identified students in grades one through five are assisted in our Discovery Center. The Discovery Center teacher focuses on individual learning styles and making learning effective and pleasurable so that each student reaches personal potential. The Academic Support Center is a resource for junior high students with unique learning needs. Qualified students are assisted through individualized and small group instruction in specific subject areas. Some students are assisted through study halls focusing on organizational skills.
Q. Are students required to wear uniforms at Highland Christian School?
A. Uniforms are not required at Highland Christian School. We do enforce a dress code that speaks to modesty, humility, and communication of our creation in the image of God.
Q. Does Highland Christian School have a hot lunch program?
A. A committee is currently working on a five day lunch program. The goal is to provide this service, if feasible, during the 2011-2012 school year. The committee is focusing on providing a daily, low cost, nutritional lunch alternative for voluntary participation.
Q. How does Highland Christian School implement technology in learning?
A. Highland Christian School embraces technology as in important tool for teaching and learning. We have provided an instructional computer lab, networked computers in each classroom, a computerized library catalog and library circulation program. Our grade reporting and report card generation are computerized and academic data is available to parents via Edline, an internet portal. Internet access from Highland Christian School is filtered for the safety of our children.
Q. What fine arts and co-curricular activities are available at Highland Christian School?
A. Music and art are taught to all students at Highland Christian School. The students move to music or art classrooms and are instructed by a specialist weekly. Similarly, physical education instruction is given at all grade levels. Co-curricular programs are available to junior high students in the areas of choral and instrumental music as well as seasonal competitive sports.
Q. What are the tuition and fees at Highland Christian School?
A. Three fees, tuition, building user’s, and bus fees, constitute the parent’s financial obligation for their child’s education. Tuition is $5,135.00 per child. The Building User Fee is $310.00 per family and the bus fee is $370.00 per child. The fees for kindergarten students are $4,110.00 for five full-days, $3,090.00 for three full-days, and $2,570.00 for five half-days. Milk is available for $16.00 per student. Highland Christian School is also funded by supporting churches which take offerings, hold building fund drives, and assist their members with tuition assistance. Highland Christian School operating expenses are further reduced by income it receives from the Highland Christian School Foundation. Please contact the school for details on preschool fees.
Q. Does Highland Christian School have before and/or after care program(s)?
A. Yes. Our Before and After Care Program is located in our main building. The hours of operation are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Scheduling for Before and After Care is flexible. Families who are registered will complete a monthly schedule based on their needs. The fee is $5.05 per hour.
Q. How large are classes at Highland Christian School?
A. Currently our classes range from sixteen to twenty-four students.
Q. Is bus transportation available?
A. Highland Christian School operates six bus routes. Families concentrated in certain neighborhoods enjoy bus service to a point very near their homes. Students living outside of served areas may be able to establish a point on one of the routes that would reduce the distances that parents would need to transport their children. Please contact the school for specific information.
