Hope Christian School

Hope High, Inc. was founded by C. Wayne Ehlert with the help of a fellow school teacher, Howard Stansell. These men were public school teachers and felt God calling them to establish a Christian school where good students could learn in a safe environment. There were those who said that a non-denominational Christian school could not survive without the governance of a church or denomination, but God was faithful to the vision He gave Wayne Ehlert.

In September of 1976 Hope High opened its doors to 54 high school students that met in a remodeled church facility located in the northeast heights of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The church facility had been purchased and remodeled during the summer months. In the Spring of 1977, Hope held graduation exercises for four students that received their diplomas from the state-accredited high school.

Classes were expanded to include mid-school students for the 1981-82 school year. Hope was outgrowing the church facility and therefore, six acres of property located on the north side of Albuquerque was secured and the church property was sold. When the new campus was opened in September of 1982, classes included grades 1-12. The following year a kindergarten class was added to the campus and later a preschool program was established.

Over the years Hope High had become known as Hope Christian School, because it had expanded from a high school to having students in all grade levels. In January of 1994 the Articles of Incorporation were amended to officially change the name to Hope Christian Schools, Inc.

In June of 2003 Wayne Ehlert and his wife, Alma, retired from Hope Christian School after 27 years of sacrificial service and faithful dedication. The new administration continues the legacy left by the Ehlerts and strives to raise the level of excellence in education and meet the needs of the community. Today Hope Christian School has over 1,400 students enrolled with approximately 160 employees housed on about 20 acres of land. The current student body represents approximately 230 church congregations in communities throughout the “Greater Albuquerque” area such as: Los Lunas, Belen, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitias, Algadones, Tijeras, Cedar Crest and others, some as far away as 50 miles. Hope has a reputation for excellent academics, a competitive sports program, spiritual emphasis, diversity among staff and students and is well known and respected in Albuquerque and the surrounding communities.

A saying that was printed in the first yearbook and later made into a banner which was hung in the high school gym says, “Attempt something so big that unless God intervenes, it is bound to fail.”

Hope Christian School was established to give good students a safe place to receive an education in a Christ-centered environment. We give the honor and glory to God for His intervention to fulfill the purpose for which Hope Christian School was established and continue that purpose today.