ADMISSIONS

TESTIMONIALS

Amy P.

As a new family to Christian Unified, we feel the school has been a wonderful experience for our child. The staff is caring and supportive, biblical lessons are taught alongside the curriculum, and there are a variety of extracurricular activities for students to participate in. The friendships and sense of community we feel here is priceless.

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY WEST

Amy W.

Our family is a second generation family of Christian Unified graduates. My husband graduated from Christian High and, just this year, our daughter completed her senior year at Christian High School and will graduate with honors in academics, servanthood, and leadership. Our other 2 daughters are currently enrolled and actively involved. The relationships and connections we have all gained while at Christian have been invaluable. Christian Unified has continued to instill Biblical truths in all that they teach. Teachers and staff continue to pour into the lives of the students and build lifelong relationships. Christian Unified Schools is not only a school but a family.

CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Weston A.

As alumni of Christian Unified Schools, we are excited to have our kids there too. My wife and I met at Christian High and have lifelong friends from our time there. We have been very happy and impressed with Christian Elementary East. The teachers and staff truly care about the students and their families.

Even during COVID in 2020, the faculty and staff were quick to move the students to distance learning and still keep high expectations in order to keep them from falling behind on the year.

We are excited to have our kids there and hope they develop the same fond memories, friendships, and experiences that we had.

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY EAST & CHRISTIAN JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL

Christie C.

This school district is the best! I attended here, sent my older kids here, and I'm excited to be back again with my young kids! The teachers remember and ask about my older children and even pray for them!

I cannot over-emphasize the feeling of comfort I have knowing my children have teachers who are invested in them personally. The curriculum is very good--challenging and insightful. I love the fact that the Christian faith is infused into every subject. These schools offer a very good education. Even at the elementary level, the kids are taught art, music and theater; there are many sports choices. My favorite thing the true community feel from elementary through high school! Parents are included and involved. I feel so blessed to have my children attending CUSSD!​

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY WEST & CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Whitney W.

I feel so blessed to have my children at this school! Not only are they able to talk about God freely and have the Bible incorporated into each class, but they are personally looked after by the loving staff at the school. This is not just a school, it is a family! This school is tough academically and it has more than prepared my kids for each next step in their academic journey. The athletic department is wonderful and the teams compete against much larger schools throughout the county and do well! I am thankful for this school and what it has done for my children!

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY WEST

Jay B.

Great curriculum. Great staff. Office ladies are such a help. It seems the high school has a good handle on balance between individualized instruction and whole class instruction. While the teachers deal with a whole class of 22 students, they don't miss the kid who needs extra attention! I value that students are taught at a high academic level while at the same time are challenged to grow ethically. So important before heading to college - and they run into who knows what. Obviously, they teach from a Christian perspective, but at the same time they don't compromise or water down the scholarship.

CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Becky A.

Wonderful School! Christian Unified is truly a special place. I have been a public school teacher for over 15 years and I personally see the amazing benefit of having your children in the private school system, specifically a Christ-Centered school. Christian is an amazing place to send your children. Christ is the solid foundation embedded in the teaching across all settings. My children are thriving here, and the academic rigor is top-notch. My high schooler is involved in sports and clubs and has made incredible friendships. Teachers develop relationships with the students and are in constant communication with families. The school has a feeling of family and both my children feel at home at Christian.

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY EAST & CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Sebastien T.

We are very blessed and pleased to have chosen Christian Unified! Great academic rigor and smaller learning environments, as well as enrichment and academic programs that positively add to students' educational and spiritual journey!

Christine A.

Christian Unified is a wonderful school that focuses on growing up students to love the Lord, have a huger for academics, and grow in spirit and mind! We are so thankful for the support of teachers and staff not only during the academic year but also as we transitioned into a distance learning model. Christian is truly a school that cares about the whole person and the whole family.

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY EAST

Deanna C.

I have three kids at Christian. My twins are about to be seniors in high school and my little one is going into 2nd grade. We started at CHS when my twins were freshmen. I was a bit stressed because I knew it would be a big sacrifice for our family financially. It's the best move we've made in our kids' education. My big boys love it there and have created relationships that are unmatched to any other. We are part of a family. All of the teachers and staff actually know who my kids are (not for the bad reasons). Academically my kids have been challenged and have succeeded more than I could have hoped for. I love that their class sizes are small which allows relationships to grow between students and teachers. They're not just a number.

We decided to put our daughter in Christian at kindergarten because of what we experienced with our older boys. I can send my daughter to school knowing she is loved and cared for as if she were their own child. She is reading 10-15 books a week on her own and has excelled in math.

The most important thing about Christian is the values instilled into my kids. They're taught about the love of Jesus for them. They are learning about the Bible. If anyone is ever even considering sending their kids to a Christian school this is top notch.

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY EAST & CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Donna H.

Our family has been so blessed to be a part of Christian Unified Schools. My children attend Christian Elementary East. We are especially blessed with a wonderful and amazing staff! We’ve had nothing but pleasant interactions with the teachers, principal, administrative assistant, and support staff! The teachers throughout my children's school years have been beyond extraordinary. Their love, commitment, and dedication to all their students have been amazing!! We love how God is working in all their lives and ours too. They bring a Godly curriculum into our children’s daily learning. In my experience, issues have been addressed with a biblical view, specifically emphasizing Christ-like behavior. The transition to mobile learning in 2020 was well executed, given that they had to adapt to an unprecedented situation. We are thankful that we were given the option for mobile learning or in-class learning for the 2020-2021 school year. It has been a pleasant experience having our children attend Christian Elementary East, and we look forward to the years ahead!

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY EAST

Francesca R.

This school has been such an immense blessing to my family - the size, the staff, the family culture. We have only been here for three years, and God willing we can keep our kids there all the way through senior graduation! I am beyond glad we made the decision to switch schools and go here. It's worth the drive!

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY EAST

Jerold H.

Amazing school. We love having our two children at Christian Unified. The teachers and staff are doing incredible work during the return to school. They have been very diligent in safety and are exceptional educators. We value the spiritual teachings and we are all thrilled to be back in school!

Jennifer R.

Christian Unified Schools has made such a difference in our family. We have had 3 students attend (2 currently). Our experience has been very good. Our oldest son was VERY prepared for college (graduated in 3 yrs) and went on to earn a Master's degree. The teachers, staff, and administration really set a family atmosphere. What an honor for our sons to be able to sit in a chapel service and hear Dr. David Jeremiah speak to them! You can't get that anywhere else. Academics are challenging, yet help is available if needed. Sports- our sons have participated in varsity sports, with one earning a Division 1 scholarship in baseball. The athletic department does a fantastic job. Many athletes go on to play at the next level. Athletic teams consistently overachieve compared to our enrollment numbers. If you are considering private education, this is a great option. Christian environment/leadership, excellent academics, successful athletics, caring teachers & staff, lifelong friendships.

CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Kelly T.

I'm so glad I am able to send my kids to this school. It is worth every penny. I am a former alumni K-12 and I know how special this school is. The community of students and parents is amazing and the teachers truly care about your kids. Their sports programs are amazing. You could not ask for a better elementary school principal than Mrs. Hester. I hope she never leaves! Mr. Hines (4th grade) is hands down one of the best teachers I've ever known. He will most likely be my son's favorite teacher of all time. He made such a positive impact on my son's life at a very hard time. I will be forever grateful to him for that. Each teacher has inspired my children and all three of them love going to this school.

CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY WEST

LIPSYNC 2025

Lipsync will be streamed on the evening of Friday, September 26.
Start time is based on a variety of factors.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY MINIMUMS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

GradeTOEFL JrTOEFLiTEPDuolingo
6700NA3NA
7750NA3NA
8800503.380-85
985050-603.385-90
10NA60-703.590-95
11NA70+3.895+

research links & INformation

Web Research Links:

Grolier Online (includes Encyclopedia Americana)
User ID: christianhs
Password: patriot

EBSCO Host Research Databases – Full-text Periodical and Reference Articles Online
User ID: christianhs
Password: patriot2019!

SIRS Knowledge Source – Periodical articles online
User ID: CA3906
Password: PATRIOT

San Diego County Library Website
Enter library card number; enter last four digits or phone number for PIN or, for newer users, make your own PIN.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

We expect our students to be:

Influential Christians who:

  • Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
  • Apply Biblical principles as the foundation for moral and spiritual living.
  • Develop and maintain an informed Biblical worldview that shapes their lifestyle choices.
  • Demonstrate God’s love through acts of service and sharing the gospel.

Investigative Learners who:

  • Master a body of knowledge, vocabulary, and skills.
  • Understand, analyze, and order relationships among facts.
  • Assess their needs and apply appropriate strategies to learn concepts and skills.
  • Actively use the tools of learning throughout their lifetime.

Perceptive Thinkers who:

  • Identify, analyze, discriminate, prioritize, and apply information.
  • Have the ability to solve problems by thinking independently and logically.
  • Make responsible and well-reasoned decisions.
  • Actively seek and apply absolute truths.

Effective Communicators who:

  • Demonstrate the ability to accurately understand, interpret, and exchange information.
  • Communicate with eloquence, creativity, and persuasion in writing and in speech.
  • Develop and utilize artistic expression.
  • Proclaim and defend the gospel with wisdom, wit, and respect.

Quality Producers who:

  • Demonstrate a growing knowledge of curriculum.
  • Develop their God-given talents and abilities.
  • Display standards of excellence in all pursuits.
  • Work well with others toward a common goal.

Responsible Citizens who:

  • Respect and submit to authority.
  • Actively protect and promote freedom and democracy.
  • Enjoy God’s creation and live as good stewards within it.
  • Recognize and contribute to meeting the needs of others.    

School Governance

Christian Unified Schools of San Diego (CUSSD) is an outreach of and sponsored by Shadow Mountain Community Church (SMCC). The thirteen-member governing board of directors is composed of SMCC members who have been elected by its membership at the annual meeting. The school is a separate 501(c) 3 organization, which is supported and protected by the overarching policies of SMCC.

CORE VALUES

TEACHING STUDENTS TO ATTAIN THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN GOD

Christian Education from the Word of God, subject to God’s sovereign and providential purpose, brings students to their full stature in Christ. Genesis 1:1, 26-28; Isaiah 54:13-17; Revelation 4:11

TEACHING STUDENTS SELF-GOVERNMENT UNDER GOD

Christian Education internalizes and applies Biblical principles for the government of home, school, and nation thereby framing the proper response of students to God. Romans 3:23; John 3:16; John 16:13 

TEACHING STUDENTS TO COMMIT THEMSELVES FULLY TO GOD

Christian Education challenges students spiritually, morally, socially, physically, and academically to consider how they govern themselves, their habits of work and scholarship, their insight and knowledge of God’s providence, and their character development in light of each student’s commitment of faith in Christ. Mark 12:30, 33 

TEACHING STUDENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS, FACULTY, AND THE LOCAL CHURCH

Christian Education is a cooperative effort between parents, faculty, and the local church to develop the spiritual, environmental, and intellectual culture necessary for sound learning. Parents authorize both school and church to inspire, cultivate, consecrate, and instruct their children. By necessity, every teacher who teaches from a Biblical philosophy of schooling must exemplify the excellent teaching gifts and qualities of character and scholarship worthy of a wholehearted commitment to Christ. All teachers must represent the spirit and discipline of their calling and embody the very goals they teach their students. Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Galatians 6:6; James 3:1. 

TEACHING STUDENTS TO THINK, LEARN, AND LIVE AS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE

Christian Education enlightens the understanding, corrects the temperament, forms the habits and manners, and prepares students for useful service. From a Christian worldview of presuppositions consistent with absolute Biblical truth, students learn to discern right action and thinking from which they then exercise a proper role in their families, the Body of Christ, and as citizens of the United States of America. Romans 12:1-2; I Timothy 4:15.

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Because we believe God’s Word is the primary source of truth and meaning, Christian Unified Schools of San Diego (CUSSD) seeks to operate based on Biblical principles. From God’s Word, perspective from the past, context for the present, and direction for the future is established.

Christian Unified Schools of San Diego believes that Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6) and in Him as revealed in God’s Word, lives can be sanctified (John 17:17) and set apart to glorify God (I Corinthians 6:20). In accordance with the Articles of Faith and Practice, CUSSD seeks to integrate faith with life and learning from a Biblical point of view by providing a coherent academic foundation within a consistent method of thinking, which includes the concepts that all people are:

  • Made in the image of God – physical and spiritual beings: creative, independent, thinking, and capable of having a relationship with God and others
  • Fallen and sinful
  • Redeemable – saved by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection 
  • Valuable – unique, having purpose and free will, able to pursue interests and love
  • Flesh and blood – who possess physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social strengths and weaknesses

Our goal is to train students in the arts and sciences and to nurture them in the faith of Christ so that they are challenged to think well and live well and do both for the glory of God and in service to others. The Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Expected School-wide Learning Objectives reflect this philosophy.

ADMINISTRATION PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The administration is responsible for upholding the philosophy and foundational statements, provide a carefully developed curriculum, professionally support and serve the teachers, and work to ensure a God-honoring school where like-minded parents can expect their student to receive a quality Christian college preparatory, liberal arts education.

TEACHER PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The teachers are instruments of God in the redeeming and shaping process. As detailed in the Staff Code of Ethics, they model Christian behavior and strive to instill knowledge and the tools of learning in the student. The teachers are vital to the establishment of the spiritual and professional quality of the school. They are to be called by God to teach, train, discipline, and serve. They are to have a clear Christian testimony, be growing in their Christian faith, and be life-long learners. They are to model, integrate, and include a Biblical worldview and Great Commission perspective in lessons, activities, and assessments. They are to be professionally prepared and appropriately qualified.

They are charged to:

  • Support the school’s philosophy, foundational statements, and school-wide policies
  • Maintain professional conduct
  • Possess and utilize effective classroom management skills
  • Use developmentally appropriate, sufficiently challenging instructional strategies
  • Be well-prepared for class
  • Communicate clearly and effectively
  • Assess learning accurately
  • Reflect and improve continually
  • Demonstrate God’s character instructionally and relationally

CURRICULUM PHILOSOPHY STATEMENTS

General Curricular Statement:

The curriculum is designed to produce rational, reasoning, and responsible Christian citizens with a Biblical worldview as the foundations for thinking, doing, and being. With knowledge that God is the Giver of all Wisdom, Christian Unified Schools of San Diego seeks to:

  • Incorporate a Biblical worldview into each unit, grade, class, and program in a purposeful, intentional, and pro-active manner
  • Instill the Tools of Learning incrementally by building on concepts one step at a time in ascending order
  • Articulate, integrate, and align the content into the various disciplines and within each level
  • Provide a balance of quality academic, arts, athletic, leadership, and service opportunities
  • Meet educational needs so that the students will:
    • Have firm convictions based on a foundation of Biblical truth, sound thinking, and practical purpose
    • Be prepared to further their education
    • Become skilled, life-long, self-directed learners who have a body of knowledge and skills
    • Be able to develop facts into logical arguments to solve problems
    • Be able to convey their critical thinking ability clearly, eloquently, and persuasively
    • Live well in two kingdoms simultaneously
    • Contribute to and influence the culture in which they live as salt and light
    • Lead with integrity
    • Serve with love

The Curriculum is rigorously developed, thoroughly documented, well-executed, and Biblically integrated. It is structured to provide interrelated disciplines. It incorporates the general philosophy, school-wide learning results, measurable objectives, instructional strategies, adequate resources, and appropriate assessments throughout. It is driven by policies and procedures. It includes a Biblical worldview and a Great Commission perspective.

The Methodology uses researched, best practices to incorporate knowledge with application through differentiated instruction aligned to cognitive development. It provides a dynamic, rich, creative learning environment. It incorporates high-yield instructional strategies, technology, and activities to promote wisdom and understanding, essential skills and content knowledge, and critical and higher level thinking ability.

The Goal is to provide for the educational needs of individual students while motivating them to attain to the best of their God-given ability within the framework of character development. We seek to prepare students to live life from a Biblical worldview with strong moral and spiritual values. We hope to see students who continue learning, leading, and serving with integrity and purpose. We desire that students glorify God by loving God and others with their whole hearts, minds, and souls.

PARENTAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The parents and the church are the institutions charged with the education of children. Therefore, the parents are ultimately responsible for the physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and social development of their child. The parents, by entrusting their students to the school, understand and support the philosophy, foundational statements, and school-wide policies. They strive to reinforce the school’s values as ascribed in the Parental Agreement. They participate in activities, and they provide for the success of their student.

STUDENT PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The students are uniquely created in the image of God and in need of discipleship to use their talents to full potential as they grow in grace, knowledge, and wisdom of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18). Students are to be prepared, principled, and creative life-long learners and well-educated, purposeful, Godly leaders and servants. They are to submit to the authority structure set in place by God not only while students but also as adults. They are to abide by the school-wide standards as outlined in the Student Agreement and handbook and strive to attain the Expected School-Wide Learning Results by becoming:

Influential Christians who:

  • Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
  • Apply Biblical principles as the foundation for moral and spiritual living.
  • Develop and maintain an informed Biblical worldview that shapes their lifestyle choices.
  • Demonstrate God’s love through acts of service and sharing the gospel.

Investigative Learners who:

  • Master a body of knowledge, vocabulary, and skills.
  • Understand, analyze, and order relationships among facts.
  • Assess their needs and apply appropriate strategies to learn concepts and skills.
  • Actively use the tools of learning throughout their lifetime.

Perceptive Thinkers who:

  • Identify, analyze, discriminate, prioritize, and apply information.
  • Have the ability to solve problems by thinking independently and logically.
  • Make responsible and well-reasoned decisions.
  • Actively seek and apply absolute truths.

Effective Communicators who:

  • Demonstrate the ability to accurately understand, interpret, and exchange information.
  • Communicate with eloquence, creativity, and persuasion in writing and in speech.
  • Develop and utilize artistic expression.
  • Proclaim and defend the gospel with wisdom, wit, and respect.

Quality Producers who:

  • Demonstrate a growing knowledge of curriculum.
  • Develop their God-given talents and abilities.
  • Display standards of excellence in all pursuits.
  • Work well with others toward a common goal.

Responsible Citizens who:

  • Respect and submit to authority.
  • Actively protect and promote freedom and democracy.
  • Enjoy God’s creation and live as good stewards within it.
  • Recognize and contribute to meeting the needs of others.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

  • The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired, inerrant, plenary, and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe.  For purposes of CUSSD’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, Shadow Mountain Community Church is CUSSD’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
  • We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through the shedding of His blood, His bodily resurrection on the third day, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His personal, pre-millennial return to rapture His Church before the Tribulation, and His glorious appearing to set up His Millennial Kingdom.   
  • We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith, apart from works, by the merit of the shed blood of Christ, and that the born-again believer is eternally secure in Christ.
  • We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
  • We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
  • We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • We believe in the individual priesthood of the believer.
  • We believe life begins at conception.
  • We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning— the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in a single, exclusive union as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25.) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a biological man and a biological woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
  • We believe that the Scripture dictates standards of sexual behavior. The unique roles of the male and female are clearly defined in Scripture. Any promiscuity, homosexuality, gender identity issues, or other deviations from Biblical principles is a sin that is offensive to God (Matt. 5:18-19; I Cor. 6: 9-10, 19-20; Eph. 5:3-5; 1 Thess. 4:3-8).