JAMES ISLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

What JAMES ISLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL does

James Island Christian School (JICS) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christian school founded in 1994 and operating as a ministry of James Island Christian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The school serves approximately 280 students across Pre-K3 through 12th grade, offering a Christ-centered, biblically integrated curriculum with college preparatory academics including Honors, AP, and Dual Credit coursework at the high school level. Core programs span academics, competitive athletics (volleyball, basketball, soccer, swimming, track, and others competing in SCISA), fine arts (visual art, music, orchestra, choir, theatre, dance), and spiritual life programming (daily Bible, weekly chapel, small groups). The school holds accreditation from ACSI and Cognia and is a member of SCISA.

JICS generates revenue primarily through tiered annual tuition ($10,595 for K3-5th, $11,535 for 6th-8th, $13,320 for high school) supplemented by extended care services ($920-$3,125/year), application and enrollment fees ($125 application, $200-300 enrollment), lunch program revenue through Food For Thought vendor, gym and field sponsorships, and fundraising. The school offers multi-child discounts (5-15%), pay-in-full discount (2.5%), alumni discounts, and financial aid through FACTS Grant and Aid and the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF). The go-to-market motion is community-led and sales-led, relying on parent testimonials, word-of-mouth referrals, church partnerships, campus tours via Calendly, and RenWeb-powered online applications.

The technology stack is entirely third-party and operational rather than proprietary: RenWeb/FACTS for admissions and tuition management, IXL for supplemental learning, Google Forms for references, Calendly for tour scheduling, Givebutter for donations, Lands' End for uniforms, and SnapPages for the website. There is no in-house technology development, no AI/ML capabilities, and no developer-facing API. The school is currently executing a $6 million 'Building Up' Capital Campaign to fund a 14,000-square-foot, two-story facility expansion, with $2.52M (63%) raised as of the most recent disclosure.

Name

JAMES ISLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Legal name

James Island Christian School

Website

https://jics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

James Island Christian School is a private nonprofit Pre-K3 through 12th grade Christian school in Charleston, SC serving approximately 280 students with college-preparatory academics, athletics, fine arts, and biblical worldview integration, operating as a ministry of James Island Christian Church.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Christian k12 education
• Private school education
• College preparatory programs
• Before after school care
• School athletics programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments. Tiered pricing by grade level: K3-5th at $10,595/year, 6th-8th at $11,535/year, and High School at $13,320/year. Includes tuition, textbooks, day field trips, middle/high school retreats, and PSAT testing.
2. Application and Enrollment Fees: Non-refundable application fee of $125 per new student. Enrollment fee of $200 (before Jan 31) or $300 (starting Feb 1). One-time fees associated with enrollment process.
3. Extended Care Services: Before and after school care program. Morning Care (7:15 AM - 7:40 AM): $920/year. After Care Option A (3:15-4:00 PM): $1,470/year. Option B (3:15-5:30 PM): $3,125/year. Option C (3 fixed days): $1,764/year. Emergency drop-in rates available.
4. Lunch Program: Food service provided through Food For Thought vendor. Parents order and pay through Food For Thought portal. Additional revenue stream through third-party vendor arrangement.
5. Gym and Field Sponsorships: Scoreboard Table Sponsorship at $1,500 (1 available), Scoreboard Banner Sponsorship at $600 (2 available), and Gym Banner Sponsorship at $425 (17 available). Includes 3,000+ annual visitors exposure.
6. Capital Campaign Donations: Building Up Capital Campaign for campus expansion. $6 million total project, seeking $4 million through community support. Accepts various giving methods including cash/check, stock gifts, DAF, IRA QCD, corporate matching, and Thrivent Choice Dollars.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

James Island Christian School is a private, nonprofit Christian school providing Pre-K3 through 12th grade education in Charleston, South Carolina. The school delivers a Christ-centered, biblically integrated academic curriculum with college preparatory, Honors, AP, and Dual Credit courses, complemented by competitive athletics, fine arts programming, spiritual life development, and auxiliary services including extended care and lunch.

Product overview

James Island Christian School offers a unified Pre-K3 through 12th grade Christian education program built around four core values: Christ-Centered, Biblically Based, Academically Excellent, and Service-Driven. The school's integrated portfolio includes the core academic program with college-preparatory, honors, AP, and dual credit coursework; a comprehensive athletics program competing in SCISA with sports including volleyball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and track; a thriving fine arts department featuring visual arts, music, orchestra, choir, theatre, and dance; and spiritual life programming with daily Bible instruction, weekly chapel services, and community service opportunities. Auxiliary services include extended before/after school care, hot lunch program managed by Food For Thought Charleston, summer assignments, and tuition assistance through FACTS. The school is currently conducting a $6 million Building Up Capital Campaign for a 14,000-square-foot campus expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-K3 through 12th Grade Academic Program Comprehensive Christ-centered academic curriculum spanning Pre-K3 through 12th grade, integrating biblical worldview with rigorous academics across core subjects including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Bible. Offerings include CP, Honors, AP, and Dual Credit courses in high school.
• Athletics Program Competitive athletic offerings including volleyball, basketball, soccer, swimming, cross country, track and field, golf, tennis, archery, and scholastic shooting. Students compete in SCISA league with intramural Jr. Lions program for K5-3rd grade. Hosts 65 interscholastic games per year.
• Fine Arts Program Comprehensive arts education including visual art, music, orchestra, choir, theatre (Lion Pride Players), praise dance, and yearbook. Students participate in SCISA art shows and competitions.
• Spiritual Life Program Spiritual development through daily Bible teaching, weekly chapel services for grades K5-12th, small group Bible studies, and community service opportunities supporting organizations like James Island Outreach and Red Springs Mission Camp.
• Extended Care Program Before and after school care services operating Monday through Friday. Morning care available 7:15 AM - 7:40 AM at $920/year. After care options include 3:15-4:00 PM ($1,470/year) and 3:15-5:30 PM ($3,125/year), plus a 3 fixed days option at $1,764/year.
• Lunch Program Daily hot and cold lunch service provided by Food For Thought Charleston. Orders placed through their portal with 48-hour advance notice required. Nut-free menu options available with allergen information listed.
• Tuition Assistance Programs Financial aid options including FACTS Grant & Aid assessment, Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) eligibility, and multi-child discounts (5-15%). Payment plans include annual (2.5% discount) and 12-month options.
• Building Up Capital Campaign $6 million campus expansion project for a two-story, 14,000-square-foot addition to the gym. Includes 11 full-sized classrooms, a state-of-the-art science lab, modern weight room, renovated Youth LOFT, and outdoor gathering spaces. Goal: $4 million through community support via Givebutter donations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 81% of students score above national average in Reading; 89% in Language; 74% in Math; 100% in Science on standardized tests
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACSI provides accreditation services ensuring JICS meets Christian education standards. JICS is a member school of this association, which supports Christian schools globally through accreditation, professional development, and educational resources.
• CogniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCognia provides global accreditation for JICS, demonstrating educational quality and continuous improvement standards. This accreditation validates the school's academic programs and institutional effectiveness.
• South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCISA membership enables JICS to participate in interscholastic athletics and academic competitions with other member schools across South Carolina. Provides competitive sports scheduling and tournament access.
• James Island Christian ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJICS is a ministry of James Island Christian Church. The church provides spiritual oversight, facility access, and community connection. Joint programs include NextGen Youth Loft serving both school and church students. Pastor Russ Miller serves on the Board of Directors.
• FACTS (Tuition Management)coreTechnology or IntegrationFACTS provides tuition management, payment processing, and financial aid assessment services. Handles 12-month payment plan drafts, annual tuition collection, and FACTS Grant and Aid assessments for need-based financial assistance.
• Food For ThoughtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood For Thought is the food vendor for JICS, providing fresh daily meal preparation and delivery. Operates through parent ordering portal with 48-hour advance ordering requirements. Supports nut-free menus and allergen information.
• RenWebcoreTechnology or IntegrationRenWeb (now part of FACTS) provides school management software for online applications, admissions processing, and student information management. JICS uses RenWeb for inquiry forms and online application submission.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• All Saints' Episcopal Day School: Episcopal-affiliated private school in Charleston, SC for PK-5th grade. Comparable as a faith-based elementary school in the Charleston market; partial overlap on lower-school enrollment.
• Porter-Gaud School: Episcopal-affiliated K-12 private school in Charleston, SC. Directly comparable as a faith-affiliated, college-preparatory day school competing for the same Charleston-area private school families.
• Bishop England High School: Catholic diocese high school in Charleston, SC serving grades 9-12. Directly comparable as a faith-based, college-preparatory private school in the same Charleston market competing for similar faith-centered families.
• Ashley Hall: Independent private school in Charleston, SC for girls PK-12. Regional private school competitor with comparable college-preparatory curriculum and tuition tiers in the Charleston market.
• Pinewood Preparatory School: Independent, non-sectarian private school in Summerville, SC (Charleston metro) serving PK3 through 12th grade. Comparable in scale, college-prep focus, and competitive private school positioning in the same Charleston region.

Regional players

• Charleston Day School: Independent K-8 private school in Charleston, SC. Comparable in size, mission, and Charleston-area private school market overlap, but does not extend to high school.
• Northside Christian School: Christian K-12 school in North Charleston, SC. Comparable as a faith-based private school in the Charleston region offering Pre-K through 12th grade education with biblical integration.
• Cathedral Parish School: Catholic K-8 school in Charleston, SC. Comparable as a faith-based private elementary/middle school in the Charleston market competing for similar faith-centered families.
• Mason Preparatory School: Independent K-8 private school in Charleston, SC. Comparable as a small, mission-driven private school in the Charleston market with similar tuition structure and family demographics.
• Trident Academy: Private K-12 school in Mt. Pleasant, SC (Charleston metro) serving students with learning differences. Comparable regional private school with similar tuition model and Charleston-area family base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/james-island-christian-school

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 JAMES ISLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL