Hilton Head Christian Academy Embarks on $8 Million High School Building Project

Hilton Head Christian Academy Begins Construction on New Multi-Million Dollar Building

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) has officially broken ground on a new high school building that comes with a price tag of $8 million. The ceremony took place on a sunny Tuesday, highlighting the school’s growth needs as its surrounding community expands.

School leaders revealed that, though the institution is named after Hilton Head Island, it has been operating in Bluffton for the past three years. “Demographic wise the majority of our student body was coming from off-island and so we decided to move out here where the student body was,” said Doug Langhals, head of the school. This relocation resulted in a notable increase in enrollment—up by 65%—indicating a strong demand for quality education in the area.

Meeting the Demand for Space

With this surge in students, the school has reached its current capacity. “We’re in the midst of growth and we’re at a moment where we have filled up the building that we have and this high school building has always been a part of the master plan,” Langhals explained. The upcoming building aims to alleviate current space constraints and provide ample room for students to learn.

Seated among the crowd at the groundbreaking were current seventh graders who will be the inaugural class to attend high school in the new 16,500-square-foot building, which is designed to blend in with existing structures on campus. Rick Parrish, the Director of Operations at Choate Construction, shared what to expect from the facility. “It’s going to have classrooms, lab rooms, break rooms,” he stated.

A Positive Change for Students

Students at HHCA are eager for the new building’s completion. “This new building that we had about three years ago has revolutionized the way that I’ve been able to learn whether that be in an open common space or in a classroom like usual,” said Connor White, a senior at the academy. He expressed excitement about the opportunities this expansion will bring to future students.

As he signed a beam that will be used in the construction of the new building, White remarked, “As our school grows and our world grows I think these kids are going to grow up and they’re going to have all these new experiences.” This sentiment reflects the optimism felt by many at the school regarding the future and enhanced learning environment.

Funding and Future Plans

So far, the not-for-profit school has successfully raised more than 75% of the nearly $8 million needed for the project. The goal is to have the new high school building ready for students by the fall of 2025, making it a significant milestone for Hilton Head Christian Academy as it continues to evolve and expand its services to the community.

With growth often comes challenges, but the leadership and student body of HHCA are enthusiastic about moving forward. The new facility represents not just a building, but a commitment to education and a reflection of the vibrant community that surrounds the academy.