Academics at Hill Country Christian School
A Private Preschool-12 Classical Education for Christian Families
At Hill Country Christian School, we provide a time-tested classical education that equips students with wisdom, eloquence, and a biblical worldview—preparing them to think deeply, lead with integrity, and serve others with Christ-like humility.
Excellence at Every Age
Preschool & Kinder Bridge
Ages 3-5
Explore a Christ-centered environment where hands-on activities spark curiosity, creativity, and a love for God in young learners.
Kindergarten
Age 5
See your child develop a love for learning in a safe, nurturing space where foundational academics and faith grow together.
Elementary School
Grades 1- 5
Experience a rigorous, Christ-centered education where biblical truth shapes learning and character development.
Middle School
Grades 6-8
Witness your middle schooler stepping into leadership, competing in athletics, exploring fine arts, and deepening their faith and critical thinking skills.
High School
Grades 9-12
See your teen grow into a thoughtful leader, a confident communicator, and a Christ-centered individual ready to impact the world.
Hill Country Christian School provides a time-tested classical curriculum that embodies God’s truth, goodness, and beauty. Our holistic approach to education fosters intellectual curiosity, spiritual depth, and emotional resilience, guiding students from their earliest years through high school and beyond. We strive to equip each graduate to think critically, communicate effectively, lead with integrity and humility, and embrace lifelong learning—all while seeking God’s will and persevering through challenges.
Ready to discover how we can equip your child for college, a career, and a lifetime of purpose?
Covenant. Classical. College-Prep.
When considering a Christian education, you should expect to find an excellent school where the biblical worldview keeps Jesus at the center, preparing your child for a life of purpose and leadership.
You will see that we partner with parents to ensure that what your child reads in Scripture carries over to what they experience at home and school. This is why as a covenantal school, we require at least one parent to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We intentionally work to create a community with world impact, including participation in “Go Week,” where middle and high school students serve communities in need domestically and internationally.
As a classical Christian school, we cultivate wisdom, virtue, and eloquence through the time-tested Trivium—Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. Students build a strong academic foundation, engage in deep discussions, and develop persuasive communication skills. Guided by dedicated faculty mentors, they graduate as thoughtful leaders ready to impact the world.
Our curriculum provides:
- A solid foundation in the lower grades through grammar, phonics, and memorization, fostering language skills and a love for learning.
- Opportunities for active discussion, structured reasoning, and logical analysis, preparing students for meaningful exploration within a Christian worldview
- Skills in public speaking, rhetoric, and communication, equipping them to present confidently and defend their conclusions
- A tight-knit community of students, parents, and teachers who are active and engaged with the school and each other
Our comprehensive curriculum equips students for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership through:
- AP, dual-credit, and honors courses that challenge students academically and develop intellectual curiosity
- A gifted program and plenty of support from teachers for students who need it, including executive function classes and the Academic Resource Counseling Center for students with learning differences
- Leadership development through student government, mentorship programs, and faith-based service opportunities, preparing students to lead with integrity and humility
- A hands-on Engineering Pathway, offering dual-credit courses in partnership with the University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering, where students integrate STEM principles with a biblical worldview and graduate with an Engineering Distinction on their diploma
Accreditations & Certifications
We are proud to have earned dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and Cognia, and we are a Member of Council in the Council of Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA).
Hill Country By the Numbers
AP classes
in the nation for school yearbooks
robotics state championships
— Bella Burgan (graduating class of 2025, attending United States Naval Academy)
Features of a Hill Country Education
Campus
Our 54-acre campus is located in Cedar Park (a suburb of Austin, Texas), and features a state-of-the-art athletic facility.
Theology Courses
All students are equipped through formal theology courses to cultivate a deeper understanding and application of the Christian Faith.
Athletics
Over 70% student athletes
and over 30 athletic teams (6th-12th grade)
College Advising
Students have access to a full-time academic and college advisor.
DIversity
Hill Country families are from 14 cities, 36 zip codes, 111 churches with 33% diversity.
Public Speaking
1st-5th graders participate in Speech Meet by presenting speeches before judges who score and give helpful feedback.
Fine Arts & CLUBS
We offer visual and performing arts programs, and host a wide variety of clubs on campus.
Leadership
We teach the core principles of Christian leadership and how they inform every area of life.
Exemplary Faculty
100% are Christ-followers
100% hold a Bachelor’s degree
34% hold an advanced degree
12 years experience on average
Competitions
Students compete locally,
nationally, and internationally
in academics, STEM, and fine arts.
House System
This unites 6th-8th grade
in community, mentorship, competition, and service.
Technology
Our 1:1 technology initiative ensures students are learning with the tools of their generation.
STEM Curriculum
We provide K-12, hands-on
learning opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
BLock Schedule
Block scheduling provides a more focused learning experience reflective of the college environment.
Scripture Memory
Elementary School students memorize Scripture throughout the year and are challenged, at year’s end, to recite those Scriptures in succession.
Critical Thinking
We teach our students to think critically, using formal logic, the Great Texts, and the Socratic Method of inquiry-based discussion.
Math Mastery
Students master core math
skills by scoring at least 80% on objective exams.
Senior Thesis
Seniors research, write, and present a thesis to a panel of judges, then defend it in a challenging Q&A.
Gate Program
Our Gifted and Talented Enrichment (GATE) is a fee-based program that extends and enriches learning for Elementary School students who qualify academically.
ARCC
Through our Academic Resource & Counseling Center (ARCC), we provide fee-based programs for students with minor learning differences and free on-campus counseling services.
Frequently Asked Questions
View all FAQs-
Is the school accredited?
Hill Country Christian School holds dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and Cognia. We are also a Member of Council in the Council of Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA). This ensures that our Christ-centered education meets high standards of academic excellence and ongoing improvement across all grade levels—from preschool through high school. Families can trust in the quality and rigor of our programs. To learn more about our academic offerings and community, explore our grade-level offerings.
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Can students take AP or dual enrollment classes?
Students at Hill Country Christian School have excellent opportunities to take both AP and dual enrollment classes, especially in high school. We offer a range of AP courses like Biology, Calculus AB, English Literature, and Spanish Language & Culture. Dual credit options include courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, U.S. Government, and U.S. History, often in partnership with universities. These challenging classes prepare students well for college and help them earn college credit while still in high school. Our approach focuses on developing the whole child, nurturing character, and encouraging students to become virtuous citizens who contribute to a better society. For details, explore our high school course offerings and college-prep curriculum.
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Does the school offer STEM / STEAM classes or programs?
Hill Country Christian School offers a strong, hands-on STEM program from K-12th grade, integrating science, technology, engineering, and math with a biblical worldview.
Kindergarten: Early learners explore STEM through play-based activities and age-appropriate lessons that spark curiosity and foundational skills.
Elementary: Students engage in creative problem solving and the Engineering Design Process with hands-on projects. A 5th grade robotics club, the “NanoKnytes,” promotes continued understanding of design and programming. Annual STEMfest events inspire teamwork and innovation.
Middle & High School: Middle School offers Technology Exploratory electives in 7th grade such as Coding, Digital Design, Robotics, and Videography. In 8th grade, students can explore Introduction to Engineering and Introduction to Computer Science classes in preparation for our Engineering Pathway program starting in 9th grade. In High School, our Engineering Pathway and robotics opportunities prepare students for college and careers in STEM fields. The “MegaKnytes” is a national-caliber robotics team starting in 9th grade that competes at district, state, nationals, and worlds.
Learn more about our Engineering Pathway and STEMfest.
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Does the school offer foreign language or language immersion?
Hill Country Christian School offers a rich foreign language program starting in PreK3 and continuing through high school, designed to nurture language skills and cultural appreciation at every stage.
Preschool & Kindergarten:
Children begin with practical, age-appropriate conversational Spanish, including Bible stories, prayer, and cultural exposure, fostering early language joy and spiritual growth.Elementary School:
Students deepen Spanish skills with vocabulary, pronunciation, sentence structure, and verb conjugation, continuing Bible verse memorization and cultural studies.Middle & High School:
Spanish and Latin are offered, with high school students able to take multiple levels of Spanish and Latin courses. Language learning is integrated with cultural studies and mission opportunities, including trips abroad. The high school also offers Latin and Spanish electives that prepare students for college and beyond.Our goal is to equip students not only to communicate effectively but also to love God and serve others across cultures. Learn more about our language studies and high school humanities program.
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Does the school provide extended learning or after-school academic programs?
Hill Country offers after-school programs tailored to each age group:
For Preschool-5th grade, our fee-based Knights After School Care runs 3–6 p.m. with play, learning activities, and homework support. Early drop-off care is also available on Mondays at no extra cost. Learn more about our preschool programs. Learn more about our [Knights After School Care] (https://www.hillcountrychristianschool.org/campus-life/after-school-program/).
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Does the school offer summer camps for students?
Hill Country offers Athletics Summer Camps for Elementary, Middle, and High School students, with registration open now. Camps depend on coach availability during the summer, so we encourage you to register your student based on the grade they will enter in the fall. The deadline to sign up is noon the Friday before the camp starts. A Middle and High School summer strength and conditioning camp may be added later. In addition to sports camps, we also offer fee-based academic camps in Math and English for middle school students. These academic camps provide one-on-one teacher assistance and whole class instruction to help students improve their writing and Math skills for the upcoming school year. You can find more details and register for all camps on our Athletics Summer Camps page. (WE WILL NOT BE OFFERING ATHLETICS SUMMER CAMPS FOR THE SUMMER OF 2026. SHOULD WE REMOVE ALL VERBIAGE REFERENCING THIS?)
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How do your school’s SAT scores compare to other schools in the area?
Hill Country Christian School’s high school SAT scores for the Class of 2024 fall within a competitive mid-50% range, with Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores between 570-660 and Math scores between 560-660. Our students consistently perform well compared to local schools, supported by a rigorous classical curriculum that prepares them academically, spiritually, and socially. While we currently use the SAT as a key measure, we are exploring standardized assessments like the Classical Learning Test (CLT) to further evaluate student progress across all grades. Additionally, our 2025 senior class has a 100% college acceptance rate, reflecting the strength of our personalized college guidance and college-prep program. Learn more about our academic profile and college prep offerings.