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Trusted by families since 1998.

OUR KIDS REPORT:

Hamilton District Christian High

Grades 9 — 12 — Hamilton, ON (Map)

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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Hamilton District Christian High

REPORT CONTENTS

School Overview

Reviews

Insider Reviews

Analysis

School overview

Grades
9 — 12
Gender
Coed
Class Size
18 — 22 students
Tuition
$20,981/year
Language of instruction
English
Special Needs Support
Resource Assistance
Enrolment
500 day students, 10 homestay students
Curriculum
Traditional
Associations
CSI, Edvance

LOCATION
Hamilton, ON (View address)

Next open house
N/A
Application Deadline
Rolling (Day students), Rolling (Homestay students)
School eBrochure
N/A

Pages in this report

Analysis

School Leadership

Extracurriculars

University Placement

Reviews

Insider Reviews

The big picture on Hamilton District Christian High

We summarized the school ourselves

Founded in 1956, HDCH has been doing great and impressively consistent work ever since. It has a good breadth of curricular and extracurricular offerings. Instruction is connected with projects, encouraging students to work together toward completing meaningful tasks, which builds and supports a facility with the core curriculum. Families are also drawn by the values which undergird the academic program. The school reaches out to resources and organizations within the local community, using those interactions to build an empathetic worldview and a genuine appreciation of diversity. Certainly, there’s a lot to love.

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"At HDCH, our mission is to cultivate student character, through learning, for lives of service to God. Our vision is to see all HDCH graduates be a faithful presence in the communities that they serve."

Wide curriculum, meeting a variety of learning needs
Experienced, professional, caring staff
Located on a 20 acre campus
Nurturing learning environment
Global reach
Excellence in academics, sports and arts
Focus on cultivating student character
Per-family tuition
Our goal: for graduates to become a faithful presence in their community

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

At HDCH, every staff member seeks to know every student. Our students tell us that what they love most about the school is the strong sense of community, as well as the warm, dedicated care they receive from every teacher. Our building is located on 20 acres, set back from the road, providing a peaceful setting for our students. We have baseball, disc golf, beach volleyball and soccer facilities. Indoors, we have relevant technology including robotics and 3-D printers.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

Information not yet available.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

Information not yet available.

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

Information not yet available.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

Information not yet available.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

Families appreciate our relevant learning opportunities, the sense of community, the passion and caring from the teachers as well as our faith-based learning approach. They appreciate the breadth of extra-curricular opportunities, as well as the Project-Based Learning approach to classroom work. They also love the fact that our students are focused on service...taking curriculum and turning it into something that helps others.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

Information not yet available.

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

Although families might see our technology in photos and when they visit, the degree to which we engage students in science, technology, engineer and mathematics is not always clear until the student is here. We go to great lengths in all our subject areas, and the STEM area is one at which we excel.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

Families are often surprised to experience the degree to which our teachers commit to our students. As they witness the many ways our staff provide wrap around supports, guidance, opportunities and possibilities, they frequently note that it is one thing to read about it, and another to experience it. In a parent's words: It was so completely and wonderfully surprising for us that HD, along with a Christian education, also offered project based learning - something that really stood out to us".

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

Information not yet available.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Information not yet available.

We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Parent, Reshmi Samuel (2026)

(4.8)

Gr. 9 (current) — To say that HDCH has exceeded our expectations would not even begin to encapsulate how impressed we have been as a family with HDCH. We have 1 son who attends HDCH. He started last year in grade 9. We have another son enrolled in Grade 9 next year. What we wanted in a school was the following: A place where Christ is glorified, where christian character is cultivated, where students can dream big for impact in the marketplace when the leave HDCH, an environment of excellence in academia, of teamwork and multiple opportunities for sports, where friends challenge each other not only in sport, academia or who is the funniest, but challenge each other to be more Christ-like. In each of these, HDCH has exceeded our expectations. The reason for this is that the staff see their jobs as a calling. They have a kingdom-centric approach. Some things my son said during his grade 9 year: " Mom, our teachers really set a good example of Christ-like character, and they are soooo funny". "The academics are of a very high standard."

Parent, Pauline Jones (2024)

(5)

Gr. 9 (current),Gr. 9 (current) — Our twins have been attending Hamilton District Christian High (HDCH) for the past two years. Both have thoroughly enjoyed their time at the school, albeit for different reasons. Our daughter, who has a hearing impairment, has received exceptional support from the teachers, who have gone above and beyond in providing necessary accommodations. The children have developed a deep appreciation for their educators and the close-knit community of friends they've made. HDCH strikes a healthy balance between class size, support, and fostering independence in students. The classes are large enough to promote diverse interactions and prepare students for future academic environments, yet small enough to ensure individualized attention when needed. This approach has allowed our children to develop self-reliance and problem-solving skills while still having access to guidance and support from their teachers. The educators at HDCH have mastered the art of knowing when to step in and when to step back, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning journey. This balanced approach has enabled the teachers to engage our children more effectively, as they've gained a thorough understanding of each student's unique strengths, challenges, interests, and learning styles. They use this knowledge to create learning experiences that challenge students to grow both academically and personally, all while incorporating Christian values into their teaching. Having twins in the same grade has given us a firsthand perspective on how the teachers skillfully adapt their methods to cater to the individual needs and aspirations of each student, promoting independence and self-reliance within a supportive Christian framework.

Parent, Beverly Petheram (2024)

(5)

Gr. 9 (current) — The Hamilton District Christian High provides an amazing faith-based student education and experience for all grades. This school has so much to offer: - orientation to the school for potential new students - a special day for each of the grades (which could include white water rafting for the Grade 12's, go-karting and other activities for the Grade 9's, etc.) - so many school sports teams (volleyball, soccer, basketball, track and field, badminton, slo-pitch, hockey, ski and snowboard, fishing, etc.) - music, drama, piano and worship clubs -co-op and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship programs - mission trips and school trips - dress down days - annual Canada's Wonderland Trip - various school electives (trades likes manufacturing/transportation/ communications/woodworking, food and nutrition, art, law, Christians in Society, computer, etc.) - Seniors Day for the student's grandparents to visit their grandchild at the school - Bible and Christians in Society courses - etc. The school uses the Edsby program that allows the students and the parents access to real-time information about each of their courses, what was covered each day in class, dates for upcoming tests/assignments, current marks in each class, a calendar listing importance dates, etc. The students have so many opportunities to grow, develop and learn about God, learn how to be a Christian in society, learn to love and support others and expand their faith. The experience at HDCH is amazing!!!

Parent, Trixie Zimmerman (2021)

(4.8)

High School can be challenging for any student and my son had his senior years even further challenged by the COVID Pandemic. Through all of this, HDCH has made the best of the situation, providing outstanding care for, not only his academic achievement as he will continue on to Post-Secondary education but also caring for him as an individual and ensuring a healthy mental outlook. They have nurtured and encouraged him to be an outstanding member of a caring community centred in Christ. My son appreciates the friends he has made there, the opportunities he has been provided and ultimately being known. His school has made him feel like a part of the community and not just a student number. The past year and a half have been challenging for everyone and for a school to not only rise to the challenge, but to excel and grow, is a testament to the school as a whole.

Alumnus, Hannah Moerman (2021)

(4.7)

For the first 13 years of my life, attending Hamilton District Christian High was what I most looked forward to. I would pour over my parents' old yearbooks at what the school was like when they were in it, I would ask any older teenager who I knew to tell me all about it, and I would imagine what it would be like to be a student there - what extracurriculars would I be involved in? What courses would I take? Which teachers would I really like? As you can imagine, my expectations were high when I started in 2007 -- but I can confidently say attending HDCH exceeded all my expectations. When I think back on my time, I think fondly about my student council experience, where the notetaking skills I learned still help me in my job today. I think about the conversations we had in music class: about music, the world, and how our faith intersects with all of it. I think back on my fond memories of being involved in the theatre department and the joy that season of time was. I think about the teachers, who genuinely cared for and supported me as a student. As I graduated from HDCH and moved on to a secular university, I was struck in many classes at how well HDCH had prepared me for university and even my professional job today. The project-based learning environment of HDCH (which was just beginning at the end of my time there!) was crucial as I started university studies in journalism. The extracurricular involvement taught me how to be involved in university, giving me a great starting place for student workplace experience. And the strong faith foundation HDCH provided led me to where I am now.

Parent, Anne van der Walt (2021)

(4.7)

My son started in grade 10 as a newcomer to Canada and found a welcoming and caring school community. There is individual attention and genuine interest in the students. The teachers and staff know them by name. The students feel valued and a part of the community. The teachers demonstrate a commitment and concern for the whole student: their academic, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. During this COVID time, the school responded proactively and communicated with clarity about how they would continue to provide schooling. This was reassuring to the students and helped them with the adjustments and upheaval. The plans made by the school were balanced and made the most of the permissible conditions. Academically, the disruption to education has been minimal. The students were also positively encouraged with showcasing talents, fundraising drives, fitness challenges, and creative engagements which kept them connected.

Parent, Letitia Fluit (2021)

(4.5)

HDCH provides exceptional opportunities for students to get involved in areas they prefer which allows them to be an integral part of the community. Our son appreciates the teachers who offer opportunities to experiment and develop their own individual interests in the assignments that are assigned. The school is large enough to provide excellent instruction across a variety of interests, and there is a large pool of students to find others with similar interests to develop lasting friendships. Perhaps there could be additional courses offered to further develop non-academic students, but that can be overwhelming as well. With the current COVID experience, it is challenging to connect authentically with others, however, the school is making the best of it with opportunities for students to be engaged and still connected to classes and social events.

See all reviews (7 total)

We reported on the school in articles

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Dig deeper into Hamilton District Christian High

Analysis

School Leadership

Extracurriculars

University Placement

Reviews

Insider Reviews

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