Parent Stories
At Hill Country Christian School, we believe that parents and teachers should be united in purpose. Our students and school community thrive as we partner together in the academic and spiritual growth of every student. Enjoy the stories below relaying personal experiences from Hill Country parents.
Chris & Lisa Spates
Chris & Lisa Spates
What is the grade level of your student?
We have two sons at Hill Country, Classes of 2026 and 2033.
What do you love about Hill Country?
We love the community and the Christ-centered learning environment.
How has your experience with Hill Country Christian School made a difference in the life of your family?
Our communication about Jesus and what He is doing in our lives has vastly grown. We thank Jesus all the way to school: for our jobs, for our car, for the beautiful sunrise.
What would you tell a student or family who is considering a Hill Country education?
Visit. I don’t think it takes much more than that. Visit with staff, talk to parents, visit a classroom.
Please share a story about a memorable time your family experienced at Hill Country Christian School.
Before kindergarten, my husband and I had been searching desperately for the right place for our son. This is the place he would spend most of his waking hours and begin his foundation of learning. We visited a number of other private schools and never felt a true connection. I remember telling my husband, if we’re just going to settle, why don’t we do it somewhere that’s free (i.e., public school). We live in a great district, so I didn’t feel his experience would be that much different from the private schools we had visited. We scheduled a visit to Hill Country and knew immediately that this is where our family belonged. It was truly an answered prayer. We are still thankful every day for this wonderful community, and our decision to be a part of it is validated daily.
Janet Snapp
Janet Snapp
What are the current grade levels of your students?
Classes of 2023, 2030, and one graduate, Class of 2019.
What do you love most about Hill Country Christian School?
I love the fact that all of my kids are at one location, and I love the tight-knit community.
How has your experience with Hill Country Christian School made a difference in the life of your family?
The foundation of spiritual growth that starts in Lower School and continues through all grades has been critical. We’ve made life-long friendships, and since the class sizes are smaller, my kids are able to keep close contact and have meaningful relationships with their peers.
Our tagline is “Preparing for College. Preparing for Life.” How have your students experienced this at Hill Country?
Lower School has great teachers who give the students a strong spiritual growth foundation. In middle school the faculty helps students learn to make connections and gives them the opportunity to grow and become self sufficient, capable, and responsible. The academics are truly college preparatory.
Holley Loveday
Holley Loveday
What are the grade levels of your students?
We have three graduates, Classes of 2015, 2017, and 2021.
What do you love about Hill Country Christian School?
I love the empowering community of students, faculty, and staff. I love that my kids recognized and tapped into that support and connection with their teachers again and again.
What factors led you to choose Hill Country?
We sought a Christ-centered, college preparatory learning environment, and we found that at Hill Country. Easy decision.
Our tagline is “Preparing for College. Preparing for Life.” How have your students experienced this at Hill Country?
Our graduates provide many examples of this. The academic challenges they have met and mastered at Hill Country have translated into success in college. The Hill Country environment also provided them with many opportunities to lead and be part of various groups and activities, and they have not hesitated to do the same at the university level. It’s like second nature to them now.
What would you tell a student or family who is considering a Hill Country education?
I consider our investment in education at Hill Country maybe the best investment we’ve ever made. Certainly in preparing them for college and work life after Hill Country, but more importantly in the development of their characters and the refining and nurturing of their walks with Christ.
Please feel free to share something memorable you have experienced at Hill Country.
The Baccalaureate Commencement Service is something I’ll never forget, nor will the graduates. It is truly a celebration, recognizing God’s hand in all that transpires in the students’ lives and academic careers at Hill Country.
Gaylord & Tina Tsuei
Gaylord & Tina Tsuei
What is the grade level of your student?
I have a son in the Class of 2022. I am also a high school teacher.
What do you love about Hill Country Christian School?
I love that Hill Country’s mission is to prepare students who will reach the world with Jesus Christ. There is no greater purpose for education.
What factors led you to choose Hill Country?
When my daughter was entering 2nd grade years ago, her Christian school was closing its doors, and we had to find a new school. We looked at most of the Christian schools in the area and felt that Hill Country best combined a Christ-centered mission and environment with a challenging academic curriculum. We also felt so welcomed by the admissions personnel and all of the teachers we met. Ultimately, we prayed about it and discerned that God was leading us to Hill Country.
Our tagline is “Preparing for College. Preparing for Life.” How has your student experienced this, and how do you as a teacher propel your students toward this goal?
Our son has had several public speaking opportunities at school. They really helped prepare him for giving his testimony for baptism in front of the church congregation. Group projects in classes and playing on the basketball team have taught him a lot about teamwork and group dynamics. Most important, teachers who pray when difficult situations arise, and who interweave relevant scriptures or a biblical worldview into their lessons, have modeled for our son a daily reliance on God and a close walk with Him.
As an economics teacher, I am preparing my students daily for life beyond Hill Country. The concepts and tools they are learning will help them make better decisions about saving, spending, working, investing, borrowing, and voting. We relate classroom lessons to real-world events such as the Presidential election, the Brexit vote, and the Fed’s decisions about interest rates. I also challenge my students to consider how they can put into practice what God has said in his Word about wealth, stewardship, and giving.
What would you tell a family who is considering a Hill Country education?
Come and find out more about Hill Country! There are phenomenal people in this school community who genuinely love God and others. To parents: it is absolutely true that we will know, love, and prepare your child. To students: Hill Country provides an environment where you can grow and flourish as an individual, and where you can ask honest questions.
Dany & Chandra Cheij
Dany & Chandra Cheij
What is the grade level of your student?
Our son is a member of the Class of 2027.
What do you love about Hill Country Christian School?
I love the faith-based community, academics, and the intellectual honesty to make changes when needed. We’ve always been happy with all things related to Hill Country Christian School. This year we’ve seen a number of changes and all are for the good of the community.
What factors led you to choose Hill Country?
The family- and faith-based community, as well as the focus on academic excellence.
Our tagline is “Preparing for College. Preparing for Life.” How has your student experienced this at Hill Country?
We take note of what universities the Hill Country seniors are heading to and are very proud and excited for the future opportunities.
What would you tell a family who is considering a Hill Country education?
Hill Country is always moving in a direction of benefitting your child and our school community. You can rest assured that academics, faith, and community are all #1 priorities. You are always welcome and can participate at whatever level you want to or are able to. You can volunteer for as much or little as your heart desires.
Jack Carsner
Jack Carsner
What are the grade levels of your students?
We have two students, Classes of 2024 and 2026.
What do you love about Hill Country Christian School?
We love that our children are getting a classical Christian education in a safe and nurturing environment. The teachers and administrative staff do a wonderful job of knowing and loving all of the students at Hill Country.
What factors led you to choose Hill Country?
We were drawn to Hill Country by the welcoming nature of the staff and families. There is a family-like atmosphere throughout the entire student body. It’s great to watch the older kids mentoring the younger kids both academically and socially.
Our tagline is “Preparing for College. Preparing for Life.” How have your students experienced this at Hill Country?
The teachers are not only nurturing our students, but also they are partnering with them to help them become more independent in managing their school work and studies both in and out of the classroom.
What would you tell a student or family who is considering a Hill Country education?
By choosing Hill Country, we are entrusting our children to educators who share our same values. We would encourage you to attend chapel and one of our sporting events. You will find that Christ is at the center of every activity at Hill Country.
Marcia Lee
Marcia Lee
What are the grade levels of your students?
Our son is a member of the Class of 2023, and our daughter is a Hill Country graduate, Class of 2019.
What do you love about Hill Country Christian School?
There are many things we love about Hill Country, but two of them are the close-knit community and our faculty. The greatest assets of this school are the teachers, staff, and coaches who invest so much of their time into our children to become Christian leaders and lifelong learners.
What factors led you to choose Hill Country?
We were looking for a Classical and Christ-centered Christian school for our daughter, Lauren. We were welcomed with open arms at the school tour and felt valued as a prospective family. Everyone was welcoming and sincere, and we felt that warm and fuzzy feeling from the receptionist, admissions director, and all the faculty we met. We knew from that time on that Hill Country was the school for our children.
We left Hill Country during 2011-2013 and moved abroad to Shanghai, China, for Reid’s job. During that time, Lauren and Jonathan attended an American International Christian School. After we left the United States, we noticed and appreciated how the teachers and faculty at Hill Country knew our students and genuinely cared for their development and success. These were factors lacking at their International School. We knew we were returning to Texas and had no doubt that we wanted Lauren and Jonathan to return to Hill Country.
Our tagline is “Prepare for College. Preparing for Life.” How have your students experienced that at Hill Country?
Lauren and Jonathan have been challenged academically, spiritually, as well as in thinking logically. We love how there is biblical worldview teaching integrated into all areas of their academics. Their teachers see what God has gifted them with and help them grow and develop their skills to become lifelong learners and leaders. We knew that as Lauren went off to college, she was prepared academically and spiritually based off the solid foundation she received from Hill Country. We appreciate the weekly Bible study and discipleship groups that Mr. Bland, our Director of Christian Life, has developed and nurtured. We pray Lauren continues to instill that faithful love for Jesus through attending Bible study groups in college. We love how many of our coaches are also faculty members at Hill Country. This is a unique opportunity for them to coach, mentor, and disciple Jonathan in the classroom and on the field and court. Our coaches take the time to work with our children, not only to improve their skills, but also pouring God’s truth into them. We appreciate how Jonathan is able to participate in multiple sports, which is rare compared to many public schools.
What would you tell a student or family who is considering a Hill Country education?
Have your family come and visit Hill Country because we have teachers, staff, and coaches who will know your child, love your child, and prepare your child for the future. They will invest so much of their time help your child succeed however God has gifted them.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
In 2013, Lauren, who was in seventh grade, fractured her elbow during a middle school volleyball practice, and it required surgery. I will never forgot being called by the coach and as I drove to the gym to see her. I saw God’s love that was shown to Lauren and our family. Outside of the gym, the middle school volleyball girls and a few of our church leaders gathered in a circle and prayed for Lauren. Another parent who was there at practice comforted Lauren while they waited for the EMT to arrive to assess her injury. After taking her to the hospital, I received a call from our Upper School principal, who was away at the high school retreat. She heard the news of Lauren’s injury and called to show her concern and love. Lauren’s teachers contacted me, offering tutoring and expressing their concerns and prayers. We have a genuinely caring faculty, and knowing they are praying for my children is priceless. Those middle school players and parents showed love and concern for Lauren and our family, which we appreciated, and we continue to appreciate being a part of this community of believers.