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PATRIOT LIFE

the elementary
experience

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one school,
three locations

Since the inception of our elementary program in 1974, thousands of students have benefited from our commitment to teach from a Biblical worldview. We have two locations in El Cajon and one in the South Bay.

EAST CAMPUS
Christian Elementary School East
2100 Greenfield Drive
El Cajon, CA 92019
619.201.8900
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WEST CAmpus
Christian Elementary School West
211 South 3rd Street
El Cajon, CA 92019
619.201.8925
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Christian South
Christian South (K-8)
482 L Street
Chula Vista, CA 91911
619.422.5850
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educating the whole child

A quality education includes more than academics. Through physical education, choral music, intramural sports and band, our students develop the skills of teamwork, healthy competition, sportsmanship, and musical creativity.  Instruction in technology skills prepares them for the future in fulfilling God’s calling.

The students’ confidence in their faith is increased through chapel services, ministry to others, and classroom instruction.

academics

Teaching a Biblical worldview in school begins with dedicated Christian educators. Integrating biblical principles into all curriculum, teachers emphasize daily that God is Truth and that His Word is the primary source of knowledge. Eliminating the confusion about who we are and why we are here paves the way for a life of assurance and devotion to God.
More About Academics

CHAPEL

Elementary chapel services hold a central place in fostering spiritual growth and a sense of community among students. These weekly gatherings provide a special time for students to come together in worship and prayer. Often featuring guest speakers or performances, chapel services offer age-appropriate messages that resonate with young hearts and minds.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORTS

Students participate in PE class and have the option to be involved in our sports programs, including flag football, cheer, basketball, and soccer.
Elementary Athletics

field trips

Field trips offer hands-on and experiential learning, allowing our students to see real-world applications of what they learn in school. These experiences build independence, foster curiosity and social development, and build an appreciation for nature and history.

parent-teacher fellowship

Parent-Teacher Fellowship (PTF) promotes fellowship among the parents and teachers, and assists the school with events like the Fall Festival, Dads & Donuts, Moms & Muffins, and more.

dress code

Christian Unified Schools of San Diego desires to create an educational atmosphere that maximizes learning. Modesty, moderation, neatness, cleanliness, and gender distinction are the overriding principles of the CUSSD uniform policy. The students’ dress should reflect pride in their school and respect for themselves.
View Parent Resources

CES EAST CAMPUS

On the Shadow Mountain Community Church campus, along with Christian Jr/Sr High School
2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon

Transitional kindergarten through 6th grade

CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Large campus, bustling with church & school activity
  • Convenient for families with junior high & high school siblings
  • 500+ students, with multiple classes per grade
  • Kindergarten & First Grade classes are located on our junior campus (click to view map) on the west side of Greenfield Drive

    • PRINCIPAL LISA LEEMAN

    Mrs. Leeman grew up in Ohio and later lived in Georgia before moving with her family to California. She treasures time spent traveling with her husband and children and especially enjoys cheering on her kids in the sports they play. She and her husband also serve together at Shadow Mountain, where he is a pastor. After God and her family, her favorite joys in life include pizza and shoes.

    Mrs. Leeman began her career in education in 2000, teaching Spanish in both high school and junior high. After several years dedicated to raising her children, she completed her California teaching multi-subject credential and returned to the classroom full time at Christian Unified in 2022. She chooses to serve at CUSSD because it allows her to integrate her passion for teaching with her faith, openly pointing students and families toward a relationship with Jesus Christ. With every lesson taught from a Biblical worldview, she hopes to encourage students to see the beautiful plan God has for their lives.

    CES WEST CAMPUS

    On the Campus of Revive Church
    211 S. Third Street, El Cajon, CA

    kindergarten through 6th grade

    CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Elementary-only campus with large playground & athletic fields
  • Close to the Christian Jr/Sr High campus for convenient drop-offs
  • 200+ students, with one teacher for most grades
  • Intimate, family atmosphere

    • PRINCIPAL MARLA HESTER

    Originally from North Carolina, Mrs. Hester spent 20+ years as a teacher and principal in Christian schools in Florida, receiving a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Stetson University. To her, being a principal is not just a career but a calling. Since coming to Christian Unified in 2017, she has felt blessed every day with the opportunity to do what God has called her to do—help children establish a foundation built upon the rock of Jesus Christ that will guide them, their families, and communities for generations to come.

    christian south

    470 L Street, Chula Vista, CA

    4-year-old kindergarten through 8th grade

    CAMPUS HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Junior campus for TK & K.
  • Main campus for 1st through 8th.
  • Serves families living in the South Bay area of San Diego County.
  • Specializing in Early Childhood Education since 1984.
  • Four- and five-year-olds read and have fun while they grow.
  • K4 children must turn four by December 31.
  • Regular Day (8:00-3:00) and Full Day (7:00-5:30) options.

    • PRINCIPAL brenda sniff

    Working at Christian South is a blessing every day. I have the privilege of encouraging our students and witnessing them grow into the young men and women that Jesus has created them to become. Working alongside fellow believers, we are empowered to achieve more together than we ever could on our own.

    "But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

    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).