Overview - Hilton Head Christian Academy

WELCOME TO HHCA

Like the small group of visionaries who founded Hilton Head Christian Academy in 1979, we are excited about the future and look forward with excitement. HHCA has recently navigated a season of growth through which we have marveled at God's continued faithfulness and provision. For over 45 years, He has paved the way for our school at every turn, giving us an unprecedented opportunity to impact the educational landscape of the Lowcountry and beyond.

As the father of five, I’m confronted daily with the reality that the years we have been given to teach and guide our children are short. Every year matters. Wherever this season of life finds you, I personally invite you to come and see if this is the place for your family. We would love to get to know you.

For His Glory,

Doug Langhals, Head of School

WHAT WE BELIEVE

HHCA is committed to offering students a school culture built on respect that reflects our statement of faith, vision and mission, and our values.

Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God's truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God's displeasure, except by His mercy.
We believe that salvation is by God alone. We believe salvation is based on His grace alone, not on any human individual merit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God's people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and to follow Him.
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Vision + Mission

Core Values

CULTURE

Embracing Your Place

Similar to a family, we encourage an environment of honest and respectful interactions. Through cultivating a culture of connectedness, students at HHCA are known, held accountable, and shepherded to realize their unique passions and gifts. We want every HHCA student to experience a sense of self, a sense of purpose, and a sense of family within this larger community.

EXCELLENCE

Fulfilling Your Potential

Our passion is to help every student define what personal excellence looks like. It’s a tall order, but one we are called and capable to deliver.

STEWARDSHIP

Maximizing Your Resources

We believe it is our responsibility to maximize the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to us. Stewardship initiatives guide everything from the purposeful design of our Board of Directors and prudent financial planning to the development of impassioned students who use their time and talents to impact the world for His glory.

WHO WE ARE

Various aspects of the HHCA experience were discussed by Head of School Doug Langhals in fall 2023 through a series of messages shared here.

WHY HHCA

Guests and visitors often tell us "We could feel the difference when we walked through the door". Read below to learn about a few of the things that make HHCA a special community.

Lower School

Great Beginnings

Our lower school team of mentors and leaders set the stage for great beginnings every day by creating a safe and nurturing environment for students--one that promotes character, exploration and critical thinking.

Even our youngest students are challenged and encouraged to begin exploring their unique God-given gifts and talents.

We cherish the opportunity to partner with families during this important season of their student's life. These days are precious and our collective investment in them for God's glory makes an eternal difference.

learn more about lower school

Middle School

Growth + Discovery

Often defined by a season of rapid growth and change, the Middle School years present unique opportunities to reach the hearts of students. During these formative years, students begin to develop a deeper sense of who they are and what they believe, while also developing a new level of independence and responsibility.

Our exceptional Middle School mentors aim to equip students with a solid understanding of who they are in Christ and help them discover and develop their unique gifts and abilities to impact the world for His glory. They work hard to create a learning environment which ensures that every student feels known and valued.

learn more about middle school

Upper School

The value of forward-thinking in education cannot be overstated. As the world evolves at an ever-increasing pace, we have to make certain that the educational system is preparing students appropriately for future jobs, preparing students to be as nimble as tomorrow's workplace will be. During this time of great change, there is great opportunity. We have to lead-not chase.

- Doug Langhals, Head of School

OUR 45 YEAR HISTORY

With a passion for Christian education and the help of several other families, George and Mary Winn Lent founded Hilton Head Christian Academy in 1979. The school first assembled at Grace Church on Matthews Drive on Hilton Head Island (HHI). A few short years later, the school moved to a new location on Arrow Road on HHI. God's faithfulness has been evident ever since.

NOTABLE MILESTONES

YEAR	MILESTONE
1979	HHCA was founded when a group of Christians passionate about eduction followed God's call. The school first met at Grace Church on Hilton Head Island.
1981	The first Board of Directors was formed.
1984	HHCA graduated its first group of students.
1987	With growing enrollment, God planted the seed for a dedicated school campus in the hearts of HHCA's earliest pioneers. Read about how the Lord called on them below.
1989	HHCA opened its first campus at Gardner Drive on Hilton Head Island where it was located for over 30 years.
2002	A group of local visionaries acquired and donated 27+ acres of land in Bluffton.
2020	Construction was completed on HHCA's current campus Bluffton.
2021	HHCA moved to Bluffton and opened its doors to a brand new campus in Bluffton built from the ground up to accommodate its distinctly Christian, unique learning model.
2023	HHCA announced it would expand its campus amid historic and growing demand.
2024	A groundbreaking was held to mark the milestone of construction on a new Upper School building, allowing HHCA to serve more families with students in all grades.

"As I was driving over the bridge to Hilton Head, it was as if the Lord said, 'Robert, Hilton Head Island has been so good to you. What are you going to do for Hilton Head?'

- Robert Graves, HHCA Pioneer

Graves shared his vision for a new school with his close friend Konrad Marcus and Marcus replied with excitement and great confidence: "Robert, you're going to help me build a school for HHCA!" Plans for a new campus began to develop. Robert Graves, Konrad Marcus, John Reed, and many other families worked tirelessly and sacrificed collectively to build the Gardner Drive campus on Hilton Head Island, which opened in 1989 and was home to HHCA for over 30 years.

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