Is it possible to find a school that shares your priorities?
You want your child to be ROOTED in a deep love for Jesus. This is your family’s number one goal.
You want your child to be KNOWN. Your prayer is for a community of like-minded teachers and friends to come alongside him or her for mentoring, accountability, encouragement, and support.
You want your child to be ENGAGED in an excellent education. You understand the importance of quality academics and want your child to be well-prepared for each stage of the educational journey, all the way through college and beyond.
You want your child to be INSPIRED to make a difference. You know education shouldn’t only be about intake of information, but also a motivating call to impact the world from simple to profound ways.
It is. Because this is also our vision.
Why consider Christian education?
Children spend the best eight of their waking hours in school, significantly influenced by teachers, peers, and curriculum. By high school graduation, they will have spent over 18,000 hours in school. These hours shape your child’s thoughts, habits, character, and future during their most formative years.
At Christian Heritage Academy, we view the opportunity to invest in your child as a partnership in stewarding one of your most precious gifts. Our students are immersed in a Christ-centered learning environment with “Living Curriculum” teachers and mentors who care deeply about the whole child. The result has been not only outstanding academic performance and college preparation but students who love God, are equipped to serve others, and make a kingdom impact with their lives. It’s a wonderful outcome of aligned priorities at home and school.
Click here to download a brochure with biblical support for Christian education.
Our Commitment to Affordability
While a private education can be a significant financial commitment for families, it makes an eternal impact. To help make our education accessible to as many families as possible, we offer various tuition payment options and financial assistance programs, including:
- Tuition Payment Plans. Flexible payment plans help distribute tuition costs throughout the year, making it more manageable for your budgeting.
- Financial Aid. We are committed to assisting families who may need financial support. Full-time students in grades K-12 who have demonstrated financial need may receive up to 50% off tuition.
- Multi-Child Discount. Families with multiple children enrolled at our school are also eligible for sibling discounts.
- Employee Discounts. Generous tuition discounts are available with many of our employment packages. To consider joining our team, whether as a teacher or staff member or in a support role, we invite you to explore our Employment page.
- Special Assistance. Additional need-based assistance may be available from the donor-supported Special Assistance Fund for extenuating circumstances, subject to available funds.
Below you’ll find an overview of our tuition rates and coverage based on the 10-month payment plan, one of multiple options available. If you have questions, please reach out to our Admissions Office.
We chose CHA because we wanted a school that would most closely mirror the values we are striving to teach at home.
–Joyce, CHA Parent
Preschool
$550 – $1,110/month*
Tuition covers:
- Mornings (3- or 5-day) and Full-Day (3-or 5-day) program options**
- Curriculum and activities
Optional Add-ons:
- Extended Care (Before and/or After School)
- Hot Lunch Delivery
- Daily Milk Service
* Per month on a 10-month payment plan; see tuition overview
** Choose from a range of Early Education program options
As young students actively engage in Christian education at CHA, they are inspired by teachings of Jesus to find guidance, purpose, and a sense of belonging within the nurturing embrace of their faith-based learning environment.
—Dr. Ennie Oh, Faculty
Kindergarten
$600 – $1,200/month*
Tuition covers:
- Morning (M-F) or Full-Day (M-F) program options**
- Curriculum and activities
- Field trips
- Weekly Chapel services
Optional Add-ons:
- Extended Care (Before and/or After School)
- Hot Lunch Delivery
- Daily Milk Service
* Per month on a 10-month payment plan; see tuition overview
** Choose from a range of Early Education program options
CHA is one of the best investments I can make in my children’s lives. These are their most formative years, and I want them to be extremely well-educated while being taught how to interpret the world through the lens of Jesus Christ.
– Matt, CHA Parent
Lower School
(Grades 1-5)
(Grades 1-5)
$663 – $1,325/month*
Tuition covers:
- Full-time Lower School program, including curriculum and activities
- Jubilate Choir (Grades 3-5)
- Band/Group Lessons (Grades 4-5)
- Art Program
- Field Trips
- Chapel
Optional Add-ons:
- Extended Care (Before and/or After School)
- Hot Lunch Delivery
- Daily Milk Service
* Per month on a 10-month payment plan reflecting the full range of actual tuition paid including financial assistance, if applicable; does not reflect the multi-child discount; see tuition overview
I’m so happy that CHA gives us so many opportunities to serve the Lord and help others because it’s really helped me grow as a Christian.
— Maddie, CHA student
Middle School
(Grades 6-8)
(Grades 6-8)
$725 – $1450/month*
Tuition covers:
- Full-time Middle School program, including curriculum and activities
- Middle School Retreat (on campus)
- Mentoring and Chapel
- GO! Week in Chicagoland
- Choral Music Program
- Instrumental Music Program
- Middle School Theater Program
- All Middle School Athletics
- 6th and 7th Grade Overnight, Multi-day Field Trips
Optional Add-ons:**
- Extended Care (Before and/or After School)
- Hot Lunch Delivery
- Daily Milk Service
- ACSI Music Festival
- 8th Grade Washington, D.C. Field Trip
- Vocal Performance Attire
- CHA Spirit Wear (outside of athletics uniforms and the required PE uniform)
* Per month on a 10-month payment plan reflecting the full range of actual tuition paid including financial assistance, if applicable; does not reflect the multi-child discount; see tuition overview
** While this list includes typical extra costs, it is not exhaustive
God has shown me, time and time again, that His plan is better than any path I could ever choose for myself.
— Melissa, CHA student
#1 Best Christian High School in Illinois
8 years in a row!
Upper School
(Grades 9-12)
(Grades 9-12)
$775 – $1,550/month*
Tuition covers:
- Full-time Upper School program, including curriculum and activities
- Senior Week and Commencement
- Upper School Retreat
- Mentoring and Chapel
- Instrumental Music Programs
- Choral Music Programs
- Theater Programs
- All Upper School Athletics
Optional Add-ons:**
- Hot Lunch Delivery
- Daily Milk Service
- ACSI Music Festival
- Soli Deo Performance Attire
- GO! Week Trips (National or International)
- CHA Spirit Wear (outside of athletics uniforms)
* Per month on a 10-month payment plan reflecting the full range of actual tuition paid including financial assistance, if applicable; does does not reflect the multi-child discount; see tuition overview
** While this list includes typical extra costs, it is not exhaustive
We are committed to offering financial aid to families that have demonstrated need in order for their children to attend. Such full-time students in grades K-12 may receive up to 50% off net tuition. In special circumstances, you may qualify for even more through CHA’s Special Assistance Fund, subject to available funds. If other discounts are available to a student, the maximum combination of all financial aid and discounts is up to 75% of a student’s tuition.
Any current or newly-enrolling family may apply to be considered for these funds each year. Final decisions on awards are made by the Financial Aid Committee using the following process detailed below. The Committee is committed to reviewing each request individually, within consistent and measurable objective results, and prayerfully asking for the Lord’s wisdom in each step of the process.
Fast Facts
- $406,206 financial aid awarded in 2022-23
- Up to 50% tuition covered by financial aid
- 20.7% of the student body received aid in 2022-23
Financial Aid Process
FUNDS ARE DESIGNATED
The CHA Board of Directors determines the overall level of financial aid available each year. The Board establishes a Financial Aid Committee to oversee the disbursement process.
FAMILIES APPLY THROUGH FACTS
Families who wish to be considered for financial aid must apply with a Grant & Aid Assessment through FACTS, an independent, third-party company that does the financial analysis to assist CHA in determining a family’s financial assistance need and reasonable tuition contribution. Families must concurrently submit an Admissions application in order to be notified of the reward. An explanation of the process and required documents are located in the FAQ section below.
AWARDS ARE OFFERED
The Financial Aid Committee reviews financial information for each applicant on an anonymous basis in conjunction with the recommended aid award calculated by FACTS. The Financial Aid Committee then ensures that the recommended aid is awarded consistently and equitably to those with demonstrated need, and in accordance with the amount of aid funds available. More details are in the FAQ section below.
FAMILIES ACCEPT AWARDS
Families applying for aid will receive an official decision from the Financial Aid Committee and have two weeks to accept the award. Once awarded, as a condition of receiving the aid for the coming school year, all prior financial obligations to CHA must be satisfied.
Financial Aid Timeline
- Beginning in Fall, families apply (or re-enroll) to CHA for the following school year.
- Beginning in early December, families submit their financial aid application directly through FACTS for the following school year. FACTS will verify the applicant information against supporting documentation which may take up to 14 business days.
- CHA’s Financial Aid Committee will receive a report from FACTS after each application has been received and verified. The Committee’s decision will be made only after enrollment (or re-enrollment) is complete.
- CHA will begin awarding financial aid in early March on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to re-enrolling families.
- Families who do not receive financial aid will receive notification from the Financial Aid Committee. In unusual circumstances, families may be able to appeal the decision. See Financial Aid Appeal Process in the FAQ below.
- Families who receive financial aid have two weeks to confirm acceptance of the award. Acceptance after this deadline is contingent on remaining funds available.
Contacts
If you have questions, please click the appropriate link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information does FACTS require to assess financial aid eligibility?
- $35 application fee
- Last two years’ W-2 statement(s) for all household wage-earners
- Most recent filed tax statements (personal and business, if applicable)
- Detailed asset information (e.g., checking, savings, retirement, and other assets which could help support tuition payments)
- Other detailed information on incomes and household expenses which encompass approximately 60+ financial data points
How does FACTS determine the amount of aid needed?
FACTS determines the needed amount of financial assistance using a computation based on a formula that is nationally accepted by independent schools. The process is outlined below.
1. FACTS CALCULATES TOTAL FAMILY RESOURCES (TFR)
- Taxable income (household income, business income adjusted for non-cash expenses, capital gains/losses, retirement distributions, etc.)
- Non-taxable income
- Contribution from other financial assets (saving accounts, checking accounts, CDs, brokerage or equity accounts and/or mutual fund accounts, 401k and retirement accounts, and 529 plans)
Notes:
– FACTS considers some 401k and retirement assets “protected” based on the age of the older parent
– The maximum amount of contribution to tuition from non-protected assets is approximately 12%
2. FACTS CALCULATES INCOME AFTER CORE EXPENSES (IACE):
This is calculated as Total Family Resources less Core Expenses and Allocated Expenses.
Notes:
– Core Expenses are those deemed necessary for a household, such as mortgage or rent, vehicle payments and insurance, daycare/childcare, child support obligations, and health insurance premiums and medical expenses.
– Allocated Expenses are not requested on the application and are expenses that FACTS allocates to a family based on region, household size, and income. Allocated expenses ensure that families are treated fairly and “levels the playing field” to normalize such expenses for each family. This includes: food, apparel, utilities, other transportation expenses, taxes (local, state, and federal), and expenses for entertainment.
- Both Core Expenses and Allocated Expenses have caps to ensure that the aid award does not subsidize lifestyle expenses. For example, any rent or mortgage payment which exceeds 28% of family income is considered a discretionary expense.
- Expenses which are not Core or Allocated and are above the FACTS established caps for each category are considered discretionary and available to pay tuition. Examples may include: credit card payments, student loans, and second house payments.
3. FACTS CALCULATES THE PROPORTION OF IACE THAT MAY BE USED FOR TUITION PAYMENTS (the Tuition Contribution Factor)
FACTS understands that there are other expenses that a household has and that IACE may not be 100% available to cover tuition payments. Therefore, depending on household income, FACTS will assume a minimum of 18.5% of IACE and up to 50% may be used to pay for a student’s tuition.
4. FACTS DETERMINES WHAT A FAMILY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARD TUITION PAYMENTS
Step 1: Total Financial Resources – Core Expenses = Income After Core Expenses
Step 2: Income After Core Expenses x Tuition Contribution Factor = Household Tuition Contribution
A family’s Household Tuition Contribution is what a family should be able to contribute toward a student’s tuition at CHA or any other private school. If a student’s tuition is greater than the Household Tuition Contribution, then this is the amount FACTS would recommend for financial aid.
This figure is then passed back to CHA for consideration by the Financial Aid Committee.
How does CHA's Financial Aid Committee make the final decision, and when will notifications be given?
The Financial Aid Committee is 3-4 members comprised of both CHA staff and independent persons and is tasked with consistently and equitably stewarding the limited financial aid such that financial aid is available to as many families as possible across the CHA family.
The Committee reviews—on an anonymous basis—the FACTS recommended aid amount, individual circumstances of each aid applicant based on written commentary, and then recommends a financial aid award for each student.
As outlined in the financial aid timeline above, CHA will begin awarding applications for the upcoming school year in early March on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to re-enrolling families.
In order to have the best chance for consideration, we recommend that your application to FACTS is complete by late February. Questions? Contact Jerry Ruscitti.
Is there a financial aid appeal process?
We understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances arise that make the information reported on the financial aid application an incomplete reflection of a family’s current financial situation. In these circumstances (such as job loss, death, severe illness, etc.), families may be able to request an appeal for the CHA Financial Aid Committee to re-evaluate the award.
If you have an unusual circumstance of this nature and would like to be considered for additional aid, please follow the steps below.
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- Contact CHA’s Financial Aid Committee. If, after viewing the financial aid decision, you feel that your circumstances prevent CHA from being an affordable option, contact the Financial Aid Committee. You must contact the committee within two weeks of the initial aid decision to be considered for an appeal. For questions about the financial aid appeal process, please contact the Business Office.
- Provide requested documentation. The Financial Aid Committee will determine what documentation will be necessary to process the appeal. This may include items such as projected income forms or medical bills.
- Await a decision. After receiving the requested information, the Financial Aid Committee will review the information provided and will make the final decision. You will be given an approximate timeline of when you can expect to receive the decision. Please note that the decision will be contingent upon financial aid funds available.
Ready to take the next step? Review our Admissions Process below!
Christian Heritage Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. CHA does reserve the right to select students on the basis of academic performance, religious commitment, philosophical compatibility, and willingness to cooperate with the school’s administration and abide by its policies.
CHA was the best parenting decision that we ever made and definitely the best investment that we’ve made.
–Cynthia, Alumni Parent
For college prep, life prep, eternal prep, hands-down the best investment I’ve ever made for my children. – CHA Middle School and Upper School Parent