(Kinder – 4th grade)
Thank you for your interest in The Christian School at Castle Hills, The Best Private Elementary School in San Antonio! Castle Hills is a loving community of teachers and staff that work in partnership with families to lead children to know Christ and make Him known. My years of experience in Christian education total 29 – and 19 of these years have been joyfully spent at Castle Hills!
Our Christ-honoring faculty sets our school apart from the rest! We have a high-quality, professional teaching staff that is both degreed and certified. They love the Lord and are called to teach students from a Christian worldview. These wonderful role models don’t merely educate minds, they shape hearts to know and serve Jesus Christ. Weekly chapels and guest speakers reinforce the spiritual lessons that are daily taught in the classroom.
Castle Hills is divided into K- 4th grade (Elementary) and 5th- 6th grade (Intermediate). The Elementary School classrooms are self-contained and follow a traditional classroom structure, while also incorporating special classes in art, computer, music, library, and P.E. The Intermediate School’s purpose is to prepare students for Middle School and follows a closely-supervised, 8-period schedule. One of the highlights of both schools includes our Bible curriculum, Building on the Rock (taught in 1st through 6th grades), which is written for the sole purpose of assisting students to develop a biblical worldview. All other content areas in both schools are taught through the lens of Scripture. We have selected Christian publishers for our textbooks primarily from Bob Jones University Press, as well as some Abeka in our lower grades. Reading in our lower grades is launched with a strong phonics-based program. Our newest initiative, the Accelerated Reader program, has stirred up reading excitement as students earn incentives for going above and beyond. Finally, all students utilize Chromebooks in the classrooms and enjoy weekly computer lab lessons learning Keyboarding, Google Classroom, and Coding.
Our test results prove that a Castle Hills education works. Castle Hills’ students typically score in the high average to above average range on the TerraNova3 standardized test given each spring. Beyond the classroom’s four walls, our students enjoy participating in field trips and assemblies, and each classroom participates in annual community outreach activities.
Selecting a school for your student is a very important decision. Great sacrifice is made by parents as they make this commitment. We are honored that you would consider joining the Castle Hills family, and we invite you to tour the school to experience first-hand how a Castle Hills education can make an eternal impact in your child’s life.
Our Christ-honoring faculty sets our school apart from the rest, educating your child from a top private Christian school in San Antonio to excel spiritually and academically in their next steps forward.
The elementary years at Castle Hills provide a solid academic and spiritual foundation for life! Our Elementary School consists of grades Kindergarten through the fourth grade, with students advancing to our Intermediate School for fifth and sixth grades. Both the Elementary School and Intermediate School are run under the extraordinary leadership of Mrs. Lisa Jacobs, an administrator with more than 29 years of experience. Mr. Michael Pinkston, our well-loved and experienced Superintendent heads up the entire school, which consists of more than 650 students from pre-school through 12th grade.
All elementary curriculum is taught from a decidedly Christian worldview by teachers who are committed Believers. Each day begins with pledges, songs, and prayer. Our low student/teacher ratio allows our educators to teach each student with academic excellence and impart a God-centered view of life. Technology is integrated into every classroom through project-based learning using Google Chromebooks, as well as keyboarding and coding instruction through computer lab time. Traditional core instruction is given in math, English, reading, science, social studies, writing, and handwriting. Furthermore, students receive a Bible lesson every day as part of their core curriculum and attend chapel once per week. Elementary students also enjoy daily P.E., along with a weekly library, music, and art classes, and occasional field trips off campus.
Optional yearly activities include Math Olympics, Art Festival, Harvest Fair, Spelling Bee, pep rallies, Science Fair, Grandparents’ Day, Speech Meet, Eagle Banquet, and Walk-a-Thon.
UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE
Here are answers to the most frequent questions parents ask us regarding our Elementary school.
At least one parent must be a Christian and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We teach and conduct our school from a distinctively evangelistic Christian point-of-view. We ask parents to read our Statement of Faith and to sign it indicating support for the fact that those doctrines will be taught.
Castle Hills is accredited through ACSI, recognized by the Texas Education Agency via TEPSAC (Texas Private School Accreditation Commission). Students graduate with a full transcript accepted at all colleges and universities.
Children are five years old before school starts. We use a developmental readiness screening tool to assist in admission decisions.
Castle Hills follows the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills benchmarks with some exceptions in science and history. Our curriculum guides are monitored and updated yearly. Textbooks and resources are then chosen that will best match the objectives of a given grade level or course. A variety of publishers and resources are used, including novels in each grade level, Summit Ministries—Building on the Rock, Abeka, Bob Jones University Press, Educational Publishing Services. In all classes, all subjects are taught through the lens of Scripture for the purpose of assisting the students to develop a Biblical worldview.
Castle Hills has security officers on duty. We also have locked entrances and security cameras in every room.
K-4th grade classes start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:25 p.m.
Intermediate grade classes start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 3:40 p.m.
Elementary and Intermediate classes complete a variety of annual community outreach projects. Some of these include: Manna Ministry Food Drive, visits to local senior living communities and Bedding Drive, G.I. Forum, Castle Hills Fire and Police Dept., and Our Daily Bread Ministry.
While Castle Hills does not utilize STAAR testing, we do conduct the Terra Nova 3 test from McGraw Hill and InView Abilities Test. The results are used to evaluate our teaching and students’ academic growth from year to year. No instructional time is used to “teach to the test.”
Yes. Castle Hills does require uniforms. Guidelines are in our Parent/Student Handbook. Uniforms can be purchased at Flynn O’Hara Uniform Company (located on 2108 N.W. Military Hwy., San Antonio, Texas 78213). Click Here for the Flyn O’Hara Uniform Company website >.
Lunches are provided by A Matter of Taste Catering. The goal of “AMOT” is to encourage children to eat well balanced meals by offering child-friendly foods that are appetizing and nutritious. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are baked, not fried, and serve age-appropriate portion sizes will be provided for a lunch fee. Prices vary according to grade level. For more info, go to the AMOT website >.
Parent Login Address: https://mot.ahotlunch.com/login
Castle Hills does not provide a bus system for transportation of students to and from school; however, we do have busses/shuttles that are used for field trips and school activities.
The ratio for K-6 students to teachers is 16:1. As grade levels advance, classes become larger. Even still, no class enrollment exceeds 22 students, unless an aide is available to assist the teacher.
After school care is offered for students in K-6th grade. After care fees are billed separately from tuition. Morning care opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.
Students are invited to participate in the following ACSI student activities: Art Festival, Math Olympics, Spelling Bee, Science Fair, and Speech Meet. Intermediate students may also participate in several competitive sports.
Please see the Mission/Vision page to review the core beliefs of Castle Hills.
mission/vision
See why our school exists and what our purpose is.
our story
Our story and what we are doing today!
THE HEART OF CHS
Castle Hills is more than just appearances.
see our campus
Meet our faculty and students in action!