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Central Christian School

Private | PK-6 | 289 students

CCS is best known for our diversity, technology, and integrated curriculum.
 
 

Living in St. Louis

Situated in an urban neighborhood. The median home value is $475,000. The average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $980.

Source: Sperling's Best Places
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
Based on 5 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 8 ratings

Teacher quality

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Parent involvement

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18 reviews of this school


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Posted March 18, 2013

I never thought that I would keep my children in a private setting after junior kindergarten. But, how could we leave this school when it fulfills every one of my boys' needs? Both of my boys, now part of the elementary program, beg to go to school every day. They come home passionate about learning, eager to share the events of the day. Having taught in two nationally recognized public school districts, I can say with confidence that my boys are getting the academic building blocks that they need for life long success. Not only that, but they are getting the spiritual and social guidance that is necessary to fully prepare them for the world. I am grateful for CCS - so grateful that my family is changing course and planning to keep both of our boys at CCS through 6th grade!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 14, 2012

Second to none. Our three very different learners are excelling at CCS. A love of learning from a Christian perspective was our initial goal when we enrolled our first child. What we have found is so much more than we ever imagined. Our children are growing in their knowledge of God; they have a joy for learning and reading; and they are loved well by teachers called to this work. Most importantly, I can't say enough about how the teachers have met the individual learning differences of our children. Every step of the way, they have pushed with my child that needs an extra challenge...and they have supported with another that needs small modifications. It's hard to express in writing how grateful we are for this school. The community is incredible too. We have developed friendships that we know will last a lifetime. The greatest testimony is listening to my children tell neighborhood friends and family members about how much they love their school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 9, 2012

A true community of people who are passionate about Jesus and excellent education. I have worked in several high quality schools (public and private), but I've seen nothing like the commitment to excellence in this school. Full of quality instructional strategies that are the best in research-based practices, teachers guide students of all abilities to achieving high standards of 21st century education. I also appreciate the leadership and professional development opportunities.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted November 6, 2012

I am deeply grateful to work in this school community. Racial diversity and integration is a personal passion of mine, and I am blessed to work at a school that not only fosters these values but does so in such an authentic way. The teachers, the parents, the students - we all understand the special gift of diversity CCS has, and we hope to further it even more. A third of our student body is made up of children of color -- I hope this percentage grows and grows and grows in the years to come.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted November 5, 2012

We have been a part of this school community for the last seven years. Our three children are very different in personality and learning style. We have found Central Christian School to be a place where all three of them can (and do) thrive. I am most impressed with the way the teachers engage with the children. They know them, love them and strive to teach them well.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 3, 2012

CCS is grace-based, yet still rigorous in a truly integrated way. After 7 years at the school, my kids truly think and learn, not recite facts. My boys have such different learning styles and needs on different ends of the spectrum, and CCS has met their needs all along the way. This school is unmatched in St. Louis.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 20, 2011

This school is lacking differentiation. They look good on paper, but the teachers are not equipped to teach to all levels of a child. If you want a rigorous, challenging academic school that is very homework driven and teaches to that one super smart child only, this is the school for you! Otherwise it would be beneficial to you to look elsewhere or you will be wasting your time and your child's education and happiness. We were very disappointed in this school in how my kids were taught.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 9, 2010

CCS is a very thoughtful school that strives to educate each child according to the way that he/she has been created. It is a rich, diverse educational environment with dedicated teachers and excellent technological resources. It is also a great value for the tuition.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 9, 2010

Couldn't be happier with this school -- strong academic program fully integrated with sound Biblical teaching, as well as a delightful community of parents and teachers. Day to day, what I enjoy about CCS is how much my children LOVE to go to school there, the individual attention they receive, and, by extension, how much they are loving learning! There is enthusiasm at CCS and a sense that this school is going great places with elementary education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 9, 2010

an outstanding Christian elementary school.... strong academics, quality teachers and headmaster, producing children with character.


Posted November 9, 2010

Central Christian School offers a challenging academic environment coupled with sound Biblical teaching. The administration and teaching staff strive toward excellence in educating the students, while at the same time nurturing their spirit to learn. The children are taught and loved for who they are and it shows in their smiling faces as they show up each day for school. I have and will continue to recommend Central Christian School to friends and family.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted November 9, 2010

My kids love going to school every day. I am shocked each year how well my kid's teachers know them and care for them. They are challenged and loved and surrounded by a variety of people, not all one social class. Another unique aspect of the school is that they find where a child thrives and encourages the child in that gift.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 9, 2010

We have two boys and one daughter at the school, each with different learning styles and gifts. Not only have the teachers met their specific needs- they have managed to individualize their learning while weaving it into the larger classroom. In addition to preparing our children academically, CCS teachers and staff are training them to be men and women of God with a servant's heart, discerning spirit and love for others. We wouldn't have our children anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 3, 2010

The school offers little differentiation for various learning styles. This school doesn't understand how to educate boys.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 14, 2010

This school offers incredible diversity and excellent community. The 3k and JK program is phenomenal and without reproach. The administration lacks positive guidance, therefore they are currently experiencing extreme turnover in their faculty, which is never a good indicator for overall success. The curriculum is behind like previously mentioned, and the faculty has not properly trained to differentiate for students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 29, 2009

The Christian atmosphere and diversity are great, however, the curriculum is very behind and without structure.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 11, 2008

Excellent Christian education for a reasonable tuition.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 25, 2008

Central Christian School is a wonderful school, because it offers a very challenging curriculum in a loving Christian environment.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

We currently do not have any test score information for this school. Unlike public schools, private schools are not always required to report data about their schools or not required to take the same tests as public schools. Many private schools take different standardized tests; however, that information is often made available only to families of enrolled students. We strive to acquire additional private school data whenever available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school
White 71%
Black 25%
Hispanic 3%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2%
Source: NCES, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 12N/AN/A
Source: NCES, 2007-2008

Teacher resources

Special staff resources available to students Assistant principal(s)
Art teacher(s)
Computer specialist(s)
Gifted specialist(s)
Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
Librarian/media specialist(s)
Math specialist(s)
Music teacher(s)
PE instructor(s)
Reading specialist(s)
School social worker/counselors(s)
Special education coordinator
Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Foreign languages spoken by school staff Spanish
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • ISSL Teacher of Disctinction (Junior Kindergarten teacher) (2008)
  • ISSL Teacher of Distinction and grant (Art teacher) (2010)
  • Accreditation through AdvancEd (2011)

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Cognitive disability
  • Hearing impairments
  • Other health impairments
  • Specific learning disabilities
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs
Staff resources available to students
  • Special education coordinator

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Technology
Staff resources available to students
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • Math specialist(s)
School facilities
  • Computer lab
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Science lab

Arts & music

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
School facilities
  • Art room
  • Music room
Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Design
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
  • Sculpture
Music
  • Bell / Handbell choir
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Opera
Performing and written arts
  • Creative writing
  • Drama
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • Computer animation
  • Graphics
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production
Clubs
  • Yearbook

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Spanish

Health & athletics

Staff resources available to students
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • PE instructor(s)
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Gym
  • Kitchen
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")

Gifted & talented

Instructional and/or curriculum models used
  • Gifted / high performing
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
Staff resources available to students
  • Gifted specialist(s)
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:20 am
School end time
  • 3:20 pm
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • Before school: starts at 7:30 a.m.
  • After school: ends at 5:45 p.m.
School Leader's name
  • Joshua Crane
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Email
Age at which early childhood or Pre-K program begins
  • 3 years old
Gender
  • Coed
Boarding options
  • Day school
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Affiliation
  • Christian
Fax number
  • (314) 727-8006

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Core knowledge
  • Gifted / high performing
  • Project-based
  • Standards-based
Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Global
  • Religious
  • Service learning
  • Technology
  • Writing
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Cognitive disability
  • Hearing impairments
  • Other health impairments
  • Specific learning disabilities
Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • None

Resources

Staff resources available to students
  • Art teacher(s)
  • Assistant principal(s)
  • Computer specialist(s)
  • Gifted specialist(s)
  • Instructional aide(s)/coach(es)
  • Librarian/media specialist(s)
  • Math specialist(s)
  • Music teacher(s)
  • PE instructor(s)
  • Reading specialist(s)
  • School social worker/counselors(s)
  • Special education coordinator
  • Teacher aid/assistant teacher
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • Spanish
Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
  • Counseling
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • None
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Art room
  • Audiovisual aids
  • Computer lab
  • Garden/Greenhouse
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Kitchen
  • Library
  • Multi-purpose room ("cafegymatorium")
  • Music room
  • Playground
  • Science lab
Partnerships with local resources and organizations
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Softball

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Design
  • Drawing / sketching
  • Painting
  • Sculpture
Music
  • Bell / Handbell choir
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Opera
Performing arts
  • Creative writing
  • Drama
  • Poetry
Media arts
  • Computer animation
  • Graphics
  • Technical design and production
  • Video / Film production

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Book/reading club
  • Boy scouts
  • Chess club
  • Community service
  • Cub scouts
  • Girl scouts
  • Homework help/study buddy club
  • Yearbook
School leaders can update this information here.

Photos

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Chaperone school trips
  • Coach sports teams or extracurricular activities
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Present special topics during curricular units
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Volunteer in the classroom
More from this school
  • We value and welcome various levels of diversity including ethnicity, learning styles, and socio-economic status. One third of our student population is African American. Our students come from over sixty different zip codes and forty different Christian churches.
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

Submit your application by

February 15, 2013

 
 
Apply now
 

What are your chances?


5 out of 10students were accepted for the 2012-2013 school year.


Students accepted for the 2012-2013 school year
48
Applications received for the 2012-2013 school year
95

What does it cost?

Tuition range for the 2012-2013 school year
$2000 - $7000
Vouchers accepted
No
Financial aid offered
Yes.
School-based aid

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Westminster Christian Academy
various independent schools
various public schools
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

700 S Hanley Rd
St. Louis, MO 63105
Website: Click here
Phone: (314) 727-4535

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