More than 15,000 students are currently enrolled in the K-12 Program this year, with 80 total schools across 26 states.

“The number and quality of the schools we work with is higher than ever, and we look forward to new Hillsdale schools getting started this fall,” said Kathleen O’Toole, assistant provost for K-12 education.

The program supports two different categories of schools: curriculum schools and member schools. The 57 curriculum schools use the K-12 Program Guide and its materials. 

The remaining 23 schools are known as member schools. According to the program site, member schools are “new private or charter schools that have passed a competitive application process that includes a review of mission alignment, business plan, board fitness and charter application, if applicable.” 

Collectively, the 23 member schools had 211 graduates in 2022. The graduates had an average SAT score of 1138, which was 8.6% above the national average. Sixty-three percent are now attending a four-year college, 22% attending a two-year college, and 2% are enlisting in the U.S. military.

O’Toole discussed the role of the education office in establishing and managing these 80 schools.

“The K-12 Education office helps local groups found classical schools, and once founded, we provide them with teacher training, board and principal development sessions, and a comprehensive curriculum for all subjects and grades,” O’Toole said.

In addition to the member and curriculum schools, the program is planning to establish a third category of schools this year, called certified schools. According to Bryce Horswell, new school development manager for the K-12 program, the certified schools are “member schools that have demonstrated excellence in governance, leadership, use of curriculum, pedagogy, and maintain a thriving school culture. Certified schools are models for others.” 

The process for founding one of these schools takes a full year, according to Horswell. 

“Hillsdale’s member schools, as well as its curriculum, have been reaching many new audiences,” Director of Curriculum Jordan Adams said. “One of the special things about reaching new audiences in this way is being able to show them first hand what a Hillsdale education entails, including the effects it has on their children and families.”