Highlands Christian Schools

What Highlands Christian Schools does

Highlands Christian Schools is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian K-8 academy and preschool operating as a ministry of Church of the Highlands in San Bruno, California. The institution serves over 300 students annually from preschool through 8th grade, with tuition of $15,983 (K-5) and $16,983 (6-8) per academic year, plus extended care, summer camp, athletics, and performing arts programs. The school is accredited by both WASC and ACSI since 1981 and is licensed by the California Department of Social Services (LIC #410500303). The parent church, founded in 1959, holds five weekly Sunday services and operates children's, youth, adult, missions, and recovery ministries across a single shared campus at 1900 Monterey Drive.

The organization generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring school tuition and fees, voluntary church tithes and offerings, and designated missions donations. Enrollment follows a multi-step inquiry, tour, application ($130 fee), and readiness assessment process managed through RenWeb (K-8) and Brightwheel (preschool). Giving is facilitated via PushPay across website, text-to-give (COTHIGHLANDS to 77977), and a branded iOS church app. The technology stack is predominantly off-the-shelf, built on Squarespace with standard third-party integrations and no proprietary technology assets.

The entity operates as a non-profit with no traditional ownership structure, founded by the Sheley family in 1959 and led since July 2006 by second-generation Senior Pastor Leighton Sheley. It serves the San Bruno and broader Bay Area community with a tightly integrated church-and-school ecosystem that targets faith-based families seeking K-8 Christian education and spiritual community. International missions reach Indonesia, the Philippines, West Africa, and Central/South America, but core operations remain regional and single-campus.

Name

Highlands Christian Schools

Legal name

Calvary Cross Church of the Highlands

Website

https://highlands.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Highlands Christian Schools is a 501(c)(3) non-profit K-8 Christian academy and preschool in San Bruno, California, serving 300+ students as a ministry of Church of the Highlands. It generates revenue from tuition, extended care, and church donations via PushPay, with WASC and ACSI accreditation since 1981.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Christian Education and Religious Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• K-8 Christian education
• Christian preschool programs
• Church ministry services
• Biblical worldview curriculum
• Faith-based schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

San Bruno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary giving from church congregants including tithes (10% of income as a form of worship and obedience), special offerings, and general fund contributions. Members can give online, via text message, through the church app, or by check.
2. School Tuition and Fees: Tuition payments for K-8 academy and preschool programs. Includes registration fees, application fees, student fees, and extended care services.
3. Missions Fund: Designated donations for international and local mission programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Highlands Christian Schools delivers faith-based K-8 education and preschool programs for over 300 students, while operating Church of the Highlands as the parent ministry providing weekly worship services, Bible studies, children's and youth ministries, missions, counseling, and community outreach. The integrated church-school model offers tuition-based academic programs alongside donation-supported religious services.

Product overview

Highlands Christian Schools operates as a K-12 Christian educational institution consisting of two primary divisions: Highlands Christian Schools (K-8 Academy and Preschool) and Church of the Highlands. The school serves over 300 students from preschool through 8th grade with programs including Extended Care, Summer Camp, Athletics, and Performing Arts. The church offers Sunday services, children's ministry (Highlands Kids with AWANA and VBS), adult ministries, missions, counseling, and recovery groups. Both the school and church share the same San Bruno campus at 1900 Monterey Drive and maintain complementary digital platforms including a church app, online giving via PushPay, and school management through RenWeb. The institution has been educating students since 1966 and is accredited by ACSI and WASC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Highlands Christian Schools (K-8 Academy) A Christ-centered K-8 Christian academy serving over 300 students, focused on raising spiritually mature Christian servant leaders who excel intellectually, physically, and socially. Accredited by ACSI and WASC since 1981. Tuition: $15,983 per year for K-5 and $16,973 per year for grades 6-8, payable in 11 monthly installments.
• Highlands Christian Preschool A non-denominational preschool serving ages 18 months through 5 years, licensed through California Department of Social Services (LIC #410500303). Programs include Toddlers (18-30 months), Preschool I/II (2.5-4 years), and Kinder College (4-5 years). Curriculum includes Abeka, Saxon, Lillio, Simply Loved Bible, and SEL programs.
• Extended Care Program Before and after school program for Kindergarten through 8th grade. Available from 7:30 AM-9:00 AM and 2:20 PM-5:30 PM (1:20 PM-5:30 PM on Fridays). Pricing: $4,180/year all-day, $2,563/year morning-only, $3,685/year afternoon-only, payable in 11 monthly installments. Offers academic year, monthly, or drop-in daily enrollment.
• HCS Summer Camp Summer camp program for Kindergarten through 8th grade offering science, art, sports, and movement activities. Develops self-confidence, team building, and leadership skills in a Christian environment.
• Athletics Program Athletic program with sports including Flag Football (grades 5-8), Cross Country, Basketball (grades 4-8), Soccer (grades 6-8), Track and Field, and Volleyball. Member of CIF/CCS/PSAL.
• Performing Arts / Conservatory of Music Music program offering Band, Orchestra, Choral, and Dramatic Arts. Includes Conservatory private lessons (piano, guitar, woodwinds, percussion, voice, strings) and String Ensemble for grades 4-8.
• Church of the Highlands Worship Services A non-denominational Christian church in San Bruno, CA founded in 1959. Offers Sunday services at 7:00AM (Multi-Purpose Center), 8:30AM, 10:00AM, 11:30AM, and 5:00PM (Sanctuary), with ministries for adults, youth, children, young adults, support groups, counseling, and community outreach.
• Highlands Kids Ministry Children's ministry for ages 2-12 offering Sunday School, AWANA clubs (Wednesdays 6:30-8pm), Vacation Bible School, and special events. Includes safety check-in system and background-checked volunteers.
• Vacation Bible School (VBS) Annual summer program for children 3 years (potty trained) through 5th grade. Features Bible lessons, worship, crafts, activities, and themed programs.
• Church Classes and Small Groups Bible study classes including The Epistle of James, Spiritual Warfare: Bondage Breaker, BSF Studies, Women's classes, Men's classes, Recovery Groups (Celebrate Recovery, Grief Group), Marriage classes, and Young Adults groups.
• Missions Ministry International and local missions including Indonesia (Borneo Living Waters Village), Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Mindanao), West Africa (Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso), and local outreach via CityTeams, food distribution, and jail ministry.
• Online Giving Digital tithing and giving platform supporting online giving via PushPay, text-to-give (COTHIGHLANDS to 77977), and check donations. Includes designated giving for Highlands Christian Schools and Missions fund.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pacific Beach CoalitionminorOthersCommunity partnership for environmental stewardship. Grades 4-8 students participate in beach cleanup activities to learn about marine debris impact and environmental responsibility.
• Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan's Purse)minorOthersAnnual participation in shoebox gift program for needy children worldwide. All grades donate; grades 6-8 pack and send boxes to children globally.
• Living Waters Village: BorneocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission partnership supporting orphan and children's village in Borneo, Indonesia. Village includes housing, educational facilities through college level, medical facilities, gardens, orchards, farms, elder care, and church. MS chapel offerings support this ministry.
• San Bruno Senior CenterminorOthersCommunity service partnership where grades 6-8 students volunteer at the senior center, serving lunch and participating in intergenerational activities including ping-pong, corn hole, and bocce.
• CityTeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CityTeam in food packing and distribution programs. Students and church volunteers participate in food distribution in San Francisco and other areas, serving meals and helping decorate buildings.
• Alma Heights Christian AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerger of Highlands Christian College Prep high school with Alma Heights Christian Academy (AHCA) in 2009, creating a combined high school with enhanced class offerings including more AP classes and improved facilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Stratford School: Multi-campus Bay Area private K-8 school with comparable tuition levels and similar enrichment programs (arts, athletics, summer camps). Directly competes for Bay Area families seeking premium private K-8 education, though secular rather than faith-based.
• Challenger School: Bay Area private K-8 school with multiple campuses, premium tuition, and a strong academic-focused brand. Comparable as a private K-8 competitor in the same geography with similar pricing structure and parent demographic.
• Pinewood School: Independent private K-12 school in Los Altos Hills, CA with similar Bay Area market positioning and tuition levels. Comparable as a high-tuition private school competitor, though secular and serving a broader grade span.
• Valley Christian Schools: Large Bay Area faith-based K-12 system serving multiple campuses in San Jose. Comparable as a Christian-integrated private school in the same geography, although larger in scale and offering a full K-12 path Highlands relinquished in 2009.
• Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton: Catholic K-12 school in Atherton, CA with strong athletics, arts, and faith-based curriculum. Comparable as a Bay Area faith-based private school at premium tuition, serving a similar upper-middle-class family demographic.
• Woodside Priory School: Catholic K-12 school in Portola Valley, CA with comparable tuition and a faith-based educational model. Directly comparable as a faith-based private school serving Bay Area families, although with a different (Catholic) denominational framework.
• Almaden Country Christian School: Faith-based private K-8 school in the San Jose/Bay Area, accredited and offering a similar Christian-integrated curriculum with athletics and enrichment programs. Directly comparable as a non-denominational Christian K-8 competitor in the same Northern California market.

Broad incumbents

• Harker School: Large, well-established Bay Area private K-12 school in San Jose. Comparable as a broader incumbent private school serving the same Bay Area premium market with similar tuition and enrichment offerings.
• Bellarmine College Preparatory: Catholic all-boys college-prep high school in San Jose with broad athletics, arts, and faith-based programming. Comparable as a faith-based Bay Area private school incumbent, though operating at the high school level rather than K-8.

Regional players

• Castilleja School: Independent all-girls private school in Palo Alto, CA serving grades 6-12. Comparable as a Bay Area private school at similar premium tuition, though operating at a different grade span and demographic (girls only).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/highlandsbayarea
• Instagraminstagram.com/highlandsbayarea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/26114

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highlands Christian Schools