Bluffton, South Carolina – April 30, 2024: Just three years after opening in Bluffton, Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) held a groundbreaking on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, for a campus expansion with the addition of a new high school facility. HHCA unveiled plans for the project last month.
Construction is already underway for a new 16,500 sq. ft. building, with a projected construction time of 12 months. Officials say the project is on track to be completed by next spring and fully utilized for learning when students return to school that August.
The new facility, which will primarily serve grades 9-12, will provide collaborative learning spaces, a third art studio, a new science lab, and a second campus cafe. Student common spaces, a porch pavilion, an additional courtyard area, and collaboration areas for faculty and staff are also planned. Like the rest of HHCA's 27-acre campus, it was designed from the ground up to accommodate the school’s unique, inquiry-based learning model.
Enrollment has jumped more than 75% since the school announced it would move to Bluffton, with applications at an all-time high. This expansion was originally designed into the master plan for campus, which was written to allow for growth with intention and the foresight to add and enhance facilities.
“Today, we marked the beginning of a new chapter in the storied history of HHCA—a chapter defined by progress, innovation, unwavering dedication and most importantly faith, all in pursuit of excellence in Christian education. This new building will have a profound impact on the future of our school, one far beyond its bricks and mortar. It will be a learning environment where students can uncover who God created them to be and provide our teachers with the resources they need to inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Doug Langhals, Head of School.
Choate Construction Company and Court Atkins Group have worked with HHCA for several years on the campus.
Kirk Gilbert, Vice President of Construction for Choate, gave remarks during the ceremony about the importance of this project. “The reason our work with Hilton Head Christian Academy feels so important to us, is the school’s vision To Know Christ and Make Him Known. We are building a space for children to pursue excellence in academics, arts, and athletics; for children and families to grow in their relationship with Jesus. Nothing will ever feel more important than this.”
During the ceremony, Court Atkins Group Founding Principal James Atkins said, “When we approached the design of this building, we wanted to give it a unique identity for students and mentors to live in and build community around. Design aspects like a glass cornered art room for fine arts and a student common area which also serves as a dining space where students can gather are just the beginning. The large exterior stair not only connects the first and second floors, but also provides spaces where students and mentors can interact as well as additional space for outdoor classes or performances. Our goal was to have flexibility for the building to evolve with the campus and provide opportunity for expansion in the future.”
The $7.8 million project is being funded through charitable donations in the ongoing Created to Soar capital campaign. To date, $6.3 million has been raised, and fundraising will continue over the course of construction.
To learn more about the project and Created to Soar, visit hhca.org/createdtosoar.
PICTURED ABOVE: Students from the Class of 2029, who will be the incoming freshman class when the new building opens, attended the ceremony and participated in the ceremonial turning of the soil. Additional photos selected for the media are available here.
# # # #
Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) is an independent Christian school for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade offering comprehensive academics, athletics and fine arts programs. Founded in 1979 on Hilton Head Island, HHCA, now located in Bluffton, SC, has remained steadfast in its vision To Know Christ and Make Him Known. Learn more at hhca.org.
