Cross Schools seeks students to fill its new high school class

Cross Schools, a private Christian school in Bluffton, is searching for students to fill its first ninth-grade class and is offering a tuition break as an incentive.

The school will celebrate its 10th anniversary next school year by adding a high school. Cross Schools will accept ninth-graders this fall and add an additional grade each year for the next three years, headmistress Shawn Young said.

The school now serves about 440 children in pre-school through eighth grade.

For the past two years, the school's board of trustees has considered adding a high school but believed demand was insufficient, Young said. This year, the board committed to the expansion that is part of the school's strategic plan, she said.

"It would be the only Christian high school in Bluffton," Young said. "I think that's important."

The school is offering half-price tuition to the first 20 students who meet admission criteria and apply by June 30. The discounted price -- $3,475 per year -- would be available for all four years of high school.

About five students have committed to the high school, Young said. Most classes at Cross Schools contain 17 to 21 students, she said.

Cross High School plans to offer honors and Advanced Placement classes, Young said. Sports -- such as basketball, soccer and cross-country -- will be offered if enough students are interested, she said.