Hinkson Christian Academy (HCA) is the English language elementary and secondary school located in Moscow, Russia. For over 20 years, Hinkson has served the needs of ex-pat and local families who desire their children to receive a quality English-language education that is informed by a Christian worldview and values Christian character principles. Hinkson is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, whose accreditation is recognized worldwide.
In the fall of 1991 New Life Christian School in Moscow, Russia began as a Christian school designed to meet the educational needs of local Campus Crusade for Christ families. It began with nineteen children and three teachers in a classroom rented from a Russian school. An independent study program was largely used because of the diversity of grade levels (grades 1-9).
In the fall of 1992, the school had grown to 32 children and we were able to rent three classrooms from our host Russian school, #1106. We had four full-time teachers, one full-time aide, and two part-time aides. With the addition of more teachers and classrooms, we were able to offer a more traditional Christian education curriculum rather than an independent study program. After months of prayer and preparation, God abundantly blessed capital fundraising efforts and we began the process of purchasing our new facility. The summer of 2000 saw the “big move” – only 3 weeks before school began – but with the united effort, we began on time.
With the larger facility, we have been able to add new programs – ESL, Resource Education, and a limited Korean education program for our Korean students. Enrollment grew to a high of over 200 students per year and over 60 full and part-time staff. In the spring of 2007, HCA completed a two-year process and was accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.
The 2008-2009 school year brought new challenges with a drop in enrollment as a result of the changing demographics in Moscow. Visa laws, rising costs, and the nationalizing of staff brought a reduction in the number of expert Christian workers serving in Russia. Although the majority of its students remain children of Christian workers, HCA broadened its ministry to include more of the Christian business and embassy community in Moscow. Throughout its history, God has continued to bless HCA to become one of the best MK schools in Europe.
