Highlands Christian Schools

Highlands Christian Schools is a wonderful, well-rounded school. I went to school here: Preschool to 8th grade. It is exciting to work with the staff I have grown-up with. I am honored and believe-in all this school has to offer.

I have attended Highlands from preschool until 8th grade and I can tell you that they offer an exceptional quality of education for two reasons: 1) The curriculum truly challenges its students early on so that I was not only ahead academically, but also learned how to face the various challenges of school and life and to overcome them. 2) The teachers are strict when they need to be in order to help its students grow, but they are also extremely nice, personable, and supportive such that they continuously encouraged me to meet the challenges before me, gave me the basic tools I would need to figure out how to overcome various challenges, and created an environment that encourages students not to give up no matter how hard the struggle to overcome the challenges of school and life. Because of the firm foundation that Highlands prepared me with early on, I succeeded in high school and am thriving in college as a double major at the top public university in the US. Highlands not only gave me a strong academic foundation, but also study skills, life skills, hardworking qualities and values, and the character of perseverance that have helped me tackle the challenges of life and succeed.

Excellent school and teachers. Students are a grade level above. Top in academics and my children love the sports program and coaches!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves the pre-school! We started when she was 18 months old. Now she is 3 years and 2 months. She is way advanced being able to count to 100, sing ABC's, basic phonics, color in the lines, draw her baby brother, sing several songs, knows all shapes and colors, etc. She has 2 best friends she always hugs and kisses when saying good bye. So cute!! I checked out several pre-schools in the area before choosing Highlands but none compared. I would highly recommend sending your child.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your child to be called pathetic, send your kid here. No joke. The teachers are hostile toward the children. It's very odd. I can't wait for the school year to end so I can transfer my child. The teachers have no patience with the children and act as if they do not like children. It is beyond me why they chose this profession. And good luck getting anywhere reporting to the head administrator. She never responds or when she does, it is to defend the teachers so it is pointless.
—Submitted by a parent

Highlands Christian Schools is a blessing for our daughter. My spouse and I are very busy, and we could not nurture our child s excellence and support her growth by ourselves. Thus, Highlands is a blessing for the entire family. Highlands is a learning center that becomes the heart of multiple community interactions. These interactions became a web of support for San Bruno families during the aftermath of the fire last year. Highlands is a place where we celebrate the best of our children, families and the rich diversity of our region. We are blessed and thank the wonderful teachers that help us nurture our daughter: Mr. Ahkiong, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Bosuchult, Mrs. Castillo, Mrs. Valencia and Se orita Walker. We thank the tireless Extended Care team who make it possible for us to work while our children do their homework with Mr. Alex, and learn new arts and crafts skills with Mrs. Bonnie. We thank the administration for their vision and leadership. We pray that God will continue to give all of you the wisdom and strength to be a pillar for our community. Bendiciones!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a real blessing for my daughter. She completed middle school here and now as a freshman is in advanced classes studying with juniors and seniors in high school. Every school has pluses and minuses but the education and quality of students and staff have given her friends for life and a real head start. She is has become a quick, independent learner in high school with a strong foundation.
—Submitted by a parent

For the money you spend this school is not worth it at all. Classroom with out windows, no diversity whatsoever, well if you call Asian from different parts of Pacific Rim diversity! No Trying to get an answer from the administration is next to impossible. My wife is still waiting for a call from two years ago. But id you want to spend the money a be a part of a cult like setting go for it. But to be warned is to be for-armed!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is been with Highlands for 3 yrss since pre-school to 1st grade. I love the school because I have a peace of mind that no one will bully my son. But I was disappointed as far as the academics. The school has an advance curriculum but the problem is that if your kid does not get the lesson the teacher will have no time to help the kid. I ask the teacher several times for help and all she showed me is to have my son read the direction and follow it. He is only 6 yrs old and expected to be independent on their homework and the sad thing about it after numerous complain the teacher told us that she is suspecting that my son has a memory retention problem 3 weeks before the school ends. My son was traumatized and lost confidence because of the teachers action. I just hoped that they will have a support class for kids that are having some challenges especially when you are paying a full tuition
—Submitted by a parent

The 1 star is for giving my daughter strong foundation in working habit and social skill. (pls pardon all abbreviation. I want to put as much as I can). 2nd star is for their great music program. They lost my 3 stars bcs of the following: 1. Unrealistic Curriculumn. Maybe some parents r impressed if their child s doing the next gr lesson. I'm not. School year s extremely stressful for our family. We had "Family Projects" all the time. Mainly becs thr r not enough time for her to do it herself or the projects was so above n beyond the child's capability (ie. googling info.) 2. Homework. Hmwrk should be a review or practice time. Nope! Highland hmwrk requires heavy parents involvement. Teachers are forced to follow curriculmn. If your child doesnt really understand, she hd to catch up @ hm. My daughter spent 2-3 hours daily after school. She wasnt able to be a child during her Highland years. My family had no life other than school. 3. Facility. Think Sardines factory. During Summer months, the rooms reeked with sweat. They divided 1 great room with sliding doors for classes. Ask how many time they send LICE INFESTATION notice home in 1 QUARTER So glad we r not there anymore!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Good school, but not without flaws to its system. Curriculum-wise, K-5 is great, but lack consistency in many aspects for grades 6-8, including many teachers lacking qualifications and certification. Many conflict-of-interest issues abound, including different school rule and disciplinary enforcement for students of staff members versus non-staff member students. The school even allows students to have their own parent as their teacher, as well as teacher-assistants aiding and grading their own son/daughter's class. Principal lacks leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

My review pertains to the preschool department. We enrolled our 4yr old because of the reputation of the shcool itself. Big mistake! My kid is playful by nature, but directable. However, in this school, he was always held by the assistant director every time we pick him up. One day, he was secluded in an office because he won't nap. This just traumatized him, that every time this same person would reprimand him, he won't listen and he became aggressive. One day, we picked him and he was placed in a corner of an office flanked by the directors, secluded from the rest of the class. This really broke our hearts. Needless to say, we moved him out of there, and is doing great in another preschool. If you want a very strict school, then this one's for you. We believe in patience, especially in 4yr olds. Good luck parents.
—Submitted by a parent

Currently I'm in the 8th grade. I'll be going to a public high school next year. I've been at Highlands for 4 years (ever since 5th grade) and I've never learned so much in 4 years. Highlands really taught me good morals, spiritually, physically, and mentally. I'll never forget anything that happened at Highlands. I'm so proud that my parents allowed me to go to Highlands. I have great friends and I'm having a blast. Highland's one school that I'd recommend to anyone on the street. It's a pretty safe enviorment, and the students aren't 'bad' influences. It's a way better choice than public schools. I <3 Higlands! Gooo Falcons!
—Submitted by a student

I have already graduated from Highlands, and I attend a different high school. I remember when I was growing up there (since preschool), I could not wait to get out of there! But now that I am attending a different school, I realize that I really miss everyone there. The principals and most of the administrative staff are pretty unreliable, but all of the students look up to their teachers. Most of the teachers there really care about you, not just how you're doing in school, but what's happening outside of it. They talk to you, and don't just do the minimal work of teaching you, because that's what they're getting paid for! The only bad thing is that they rip everyone off. Everything is extremely overpriced.
—Submitted by a student

My child attended the Pre-school. The lack of communications between teachers and administrators to parents are very frustrating. Parents are not being told which 'teacher' are licensed teachers and which are TAs. They don't follow the daily scheduled activities. When asked about my child's daily activities, the 'teachers' mostly ingored or gave vague answers. For the amount of money I pay each month, I would like to at least expect a weekly report on what my child does during the day.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is attending the Pre-school at Highlands Christian and I feel proud about sending my daughter here. All the teachers and staff are really involved and this is reflected in each child's personality. You never come across an unhappy face here. Not only is there an emphasis on learning but on morals as well. Thank you to all the staff and teachers for bringing out the best in our kids!
—Submitted by a parent

So far so good. My son is in the preschool program and he loves to got o school every day. And the teachers are nice.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are in 2nd grade. This is the 3rd private school I moved them to and so far the best! I have high expectations for my kids' education academically and personally. Here at Highlands, I think my expectations are met.The curriculum is challenging and advanced. In 2nd grade, they are using 3rd grade's textbooks for Language, Spelling and Vocabulary. Although they adapt to the California Standards for math, but the level of thinking and ability of problem solving that involved is way more advanced than the old school my kids attended. My son used to say,' At my old school, I can do the works with my eyes closed, ears plugged and mind shut down, but here at Highlands, I need to think.' My kids are happy at Highlands, because their minds get challenged when they want to, they can learn new things everyday when their minds are eager to.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a nephew and a niece who attended Highlands from Pre-K through 8th Grade with both of them going on to attend other private high schools. They were accepted at all schools to which they applied scoring extremely high on the enterance exams, w/my niece receiving a scholarship for hers. I have a nephew graduating from 8th grade this year and as he has consistently achieved a 3.9 avg all years at Highlands and I expect that he too, will gain enterance to wherever he applies. They've loved their time at Highlands and were torn about moving on. As an active Family member I have always been extremely supportive of the kids and feel that they have gotten an excellent education, both scholastically and personally. Because of the close knit structure Highlands provides, the kids have developed and maintained close relationships w/their teachers and peers. Send your kids -

Highlands is a great school. I've been attending this ever since I was in Pre-K. Now I am in 6th grade. I will be leaving next year to attend a public school. It's hard leaving everything behind because I know most of the teachers and they know me, all my great friends are there and I know where everything is. Attending this christian school taught me so much. I would never forget the days I was in Highlands Christian Schools. This school teaches great discipline and self-control. Even though there are many rules, you will have fun obeying them.
—Submitted by a student