Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does the school and its staff believe?

We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, that the Bible is the infallible Word of God, and that salvation is found in Christ Jesus by whom we must be saved.  That is why we are called a “Christian” high school.  Our primary mission is to teach young men and women to think Biblically and to personally understand what a Christian worldview is.

2. What do you do about doctrinal issues?

We are a non-denominational school that recognizes and respects the various traditions that have arisen in the Body of Christ over the last two thousand years.  Our student body and staff come to us from many different church backgrounds, but we make every effort to maintain the unity of the faith.  We believe that worship and differing traditions are primarily the business of the family and their individual churches, and we refer students with those questions back to their parents and pastors for final answers.

3. Do you have to be a Christian to attend CCHS?

No, but we like for one parent to be a practicing Christian in order that we might establish a covenant relationship with them in helping to educate their son or daughter.  The student who has not accepted Christ, but is interested in finding out more about Christianity, is welcome.  All students will be provided with opportunities to grow spiritually and to mature in their relationship with the Lord through their understanding of Scripture and the application of Scriptural principles to their daily walk.

4. How is CCHS governed?

The high school is operated by Covenant Christian Schools of Indianapolis, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation.  The board of directors consists of eleven men and women from throughout the Indianapolis community who establish the general policy and direction of the school.  The daily operation of the school is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer.

5. What curriculum do you use?

We have spent much time and effort developing a curriculum that best meets the needs of our students in a Christian setting.  We select our texts based on how well they meet the standards for each particular course.  Some of our books come from “Christian” publishers, some from “secular” ones.  Our curriculum is standards driven, not textbook driven.  All materials we use, however, must be consistent with the Christian worldview that undergirds all we do.

6. Do you have a dress code?

We do not have a strict dress code and give students considerable freedom provided they respect the following three scriptural guidelines:

• modesty – which simply means we ask our students not to go out of their way to attract attention to themselves.


• sexual distinction – which simply means to recognize they are young men and women and to dress accordingly.


• Freedom from the lusts of the world – which means that we want our students to dare to be different enough not to offend anyone with their dress.

A more detailed list is included in the student handbook which every student receives each fall.

7. What classes do students at CCHS take?

Our curriculum has high expectations for students going on to college or directly into the world of work.  Our students choose from among the following offerings depending on which diploma they are completing:

* Students may postpone Biology until sophomore year.

** One year of art or music is required which can be taken any year.

*** Either one, three, or four years of foreign language is required, depending on which diploma is being completed.

8. What are your graduation requirements?

One credit per semester is awarded for each course successfully completed.  A full year course in which the student passes both semesters is therefore worth two credits toward graduation.  The following are minimum standards students must achieve to receive a diploma from Covenant Christian High School:

* Traditional and honors diplomas require Biology, Chemistry and Physics in science, and Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II in mathematics.

Both programs are academically challenging and designed to maximize the potential of all students while recognizing the rigors of college preparatory work and academic excellence.  It is our intention that all of our students are prepared to pursue further education, enter directly into the world of work, or answer a mission call upon their graduation from CCHS.

9. What about homework?

We expect our students to complete an average of two hours of homework per night during the school week.  The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that what the student does at home is equally important to what they do in class in determining their academic success.

10. What are your grading standards?

Grades A, B, C, D and F (along with pluses and minuses) will be used to indicate student progress at nine-week intervals.

11. Is your school accredited?

Yes, we were accredited by the State of Indiana as a “Freeway” school in June of 1997.  This is a fairly new program which allows schools (both public and private) to submit their own curriculum to the State Board, asking them to waive the traditional performance-based assessment and to demonstrate that their own educational program is valid.  Successful performance entitles us to all the rights and privileges of accreditation without any of the restrictions which might interfere with our mission.  We are also fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.

12. Will CCHS graduates be able to get into college?

Over 90% of each graduating class has enrolled in college. Covenant’s most recent graduating class was offered $1.5 million in scholarships, but chose to accept close to $800,000 in merit based scholarships. Our students are actively recruited by a number of good schools, many of which annually visit our campus.

13. How much does it cost to attend CCHS?

Tuition and fee schedules are established by the Board of Directors in December, and are calculated to cover the costs of instruction and running the school for the upcoming year.  Total tuition and fees for 2007-2008 — $8,081.  Additional fees for specific class functions, interscholastic athletics and/or co-curricular activities may be charged.  Tuition and fees are payable in full at the beginning of the school year; extended payment plans in 2, 10, 11 or 12 equal installments, including interest, are available.

14. Do you offer financial aid?

Yes, any interested family may apply for financial aid.  We use an independent third-party service to establish eligibility and recommend an aid level based solely on financial need.  You will need to submit that application directly to the company, on forms which are available in the school office. The actual amount of the grant is a function of both demonstrated need and the availability of funds from donations and fund-raising activities.  The Financial Assistance Committee decides the school’s response to aid requests on a first-received basis beginning May 1.  In addition, we offer a work program whereby students and parents may earn some of their tuition by doing custodial or other required duties.

15. What about extra-curricular activities?

We think they are important and worthwhile, but always secondary to our academic purposes.  We have clubs ranging from Debate to Rockets in response to student interest and available sponsors.  We are also members of the IHSAA and currently participate in varsity athletic competition in the following:

• boys’ and girls’ cross country, soccer, basketball, golf, tennis, track;
• girls’ volleyball, softball, and swimming; and
• boys' baseball.