Illiana Christian High School 
The information on this page was last updated 4/15/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Illiana Christian is a private, Christian high school founded on Reformed theology.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Illiana Christian High School
10920 Calumet Ave
Dyer, IN 46311
Website: www.illianachristian.org
Phone: 219-558-7066
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 362210007
CEO/President: Lance Davids
Chairman: Doug Santefort
Board size: 16
Founder:
Ruling year: 1945
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 07/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Illiana Christian High School is a co-educational, private, Christian high school located in Dyer, IN. It is operated by an association of Reformed Christians (people who follow the biblical understandings of John Calvin) for the benefit of their children and the children of other Christian families.
Mission statement
"Illiana Christian High School is founded on the Bible as interpreted in the Reformed creeds. We graduate academically capable people with a comprehensive Christian view of life committed to the challenge of serving God and others."
Statement of faith
THE BIBLE
The Bible is the holy, infallible Word of God which defines, regulates, and guides our faith. It is without error in the original documents. We believe everything in it because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that it is from God, and also because it proves itself to be from God. It is the inspired, written Word of God through which God reveals the story of creation, fall, redemption, and re-creation. Through His Word, God directs humanity in all relationships, activities, ideas, and beliefs, including guiding His people in the education of their children. At Illiana the Bible is central to everything we do.(1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Isaiah 40:8; Belgic Confession Articles 4 & 5)
GOD
The Bible reveals one true God in three equal but distinct persons. While this is a divine mystery, we declare what Scripture reveals about the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God the Father is the almighty Creator. He created everything out of nothing in six days and continues to sustain His creation by His providential care. Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, came to earth as a human being born of a virgin and lived without sin while remaining true and eternal God. In fulfillment of the Father's plan to redeem fallen humanity and destroy the work of the devil, Jesus lived, died, and rose again as the atoning sacrifice for sin. His blood paid the price we could never pay. He rose and ascended into heaven, where He is now reigning and advocating for us. Christ will come again to redeem and restore the broken relationship between heaven and earth and between God and His people; His return will make all things new! The Holy Spirit inspired God's word, draws people to faith, and lives in believers, giving us insight to understand God's Word and strengthening us to serve and witness. The Holy Spirit does the work of sanctification, equipping us more and more each day to put off our sinful nature and to seek after the things that please God.
At Illiana, we want to reveal to our students who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing. This means we will also teach them who God has made and called them to be and how to live their life for God's glory. (Ephesians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Isaiah 7:14; Philippians 2:9-11; John 1:29; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9-10; Isaiah 45:5-7; Psalm 103:19; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 1:13; John 15:26)
HUMANITY
God created human beings in His own image, male and female, distinct from all other living creatures. God declared the created order to be very good, commissioning men and women as His agents to care for, manage, and govern what He made. The Bible tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, the crowning glory of God's good creation. Therefore, every individual possesses intrinsic dignity and worth, making all human life sacred. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. Humanity's image-bearing is the basis for our treatment of all students with love and fairness. God's Word also affirms the sanctity of one's distinct biological sex, as it does the beauty of sexual intimacy only within the marriage union between a man and a woman. (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:15-25; Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2; James 3:9; Psalm 8, Psalm 139:13-16; Matthew 5:27-30; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 108; Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 109)
SIN AND SALVATION
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve, our first parents, willfully disobeyed God. In their disobedience to God they incurred the penalty of death and became subject to God's wrath. We share in these consequences and are now all incapable of choosing or doing God's will apart from divine grace. The consequence of this original sin means that our human nature is corrupted and all of creation also suffers and groans under the painful results of sin. God's justice demands that sin be punished; however, in His mercy, God sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty of sin through His death on the cross. This is the good news of the gospel: God has done for us what we could never do for ourselves. He justified us by the death of Jesus, making us righteous and providing a way for us to have a relationship with Him. (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12; Romans 8:19-22; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-9; Belgic Confession Article 15)
This means that salvation is God's work from start to finish, or to put it another way: there's nothing we can do to earn our salvation. Salvation comes from God by grace through faith: undeserved and unearned. This gift comes to us through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the perfect sinless Lamb of God who took on our sin and bore our punishment. All who believe in Him are justified by His shed blood, though even the act of believing is the result of God calling and drawing us to Himself. Christ's redemptive work began the complete restoration of all things which will come to full fruition in re-creation when Christ returns. (Romans 3:21-26; Romans 8:19-22)
What do we do in response to this free gift of salvation? We live our lives as a thank you to God. We don't obey Him to try to earn His love; we follow His will for us out of gratitude, freeing us to show our love for Him without fear. Here at Illiana, we help students realize what this gift means so they will learn to love God more and will discover how they can live out their gratitude going out from this place into the world. (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Romans 6:13; Romans 12:1-2; Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 86)
COVENANTAL EDUCATION
God established a covenantal relationship with believers and their children; this means that He made a promise to be our God and to make us His people, and He fulfills that promise faithfully. God charges parents to raise their children under this covenantal framework in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. Therefore, the primary responsibility of education rests upon parents to whom children are entrusted by God. Working together as home and school, we raise and educate children within this covenant of grace, eager for them to join in Christ's restoring and reconciling work. Therefore, we study every subject and area of knowledge as a means to understand God's sovereign rule and care over all creation and as a way to join God in building His Kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. (Genesis 17:3-9; Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
Because God's covenant embraces the whole Christian community and because Christian education contributes directly to the advancement of God's kingdom, the Christian community (through the Church) supports Christian education through prayer, service, and the generous giving of time and resources. Therefore, Church, home, and school all work together to develop students with a passion for God, people, and the world and send them out from Illiana to testify to God's grace and build God's Kingdom wherever they go. (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:16-20; Acts 3:25; 2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 28:18-20)
Donor confidence score
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Transparency grade
D
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: K-12 Schools/Academies
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 377 of 1435 | 52 of 191 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 23 of 1435 | 15 of 191 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 300 of 1435 | 39 of 191 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1260 of 1436 | 178 of 191 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $43,718 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 4% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 1% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 13% | 56% | 52% | 71% | 30% | 31% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 87% | 44% | 48% | 29% | 70% | 69% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 92% | 94% | 94% | 94% | 95% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 62% | 58% | 41% | 99% | 106% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 57% | 55% | 38% | 93% | 101% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 38% | 42% | 59% | 1% | -6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 6% | 14% | 14% | 33% | 0% | -2% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.54 | 0.22 | 0.19 | 0.21 | 0.20 | 0.21 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.99 | 4.49 | 3.64 | 2.53 | 4.67 | 4.82 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.80 | 0.97 | 0.70 | 0.54 | 0.94 | 1.01 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 2.80 | 62.69 | 55.85 | 30.33 | 19.57 | 22.22 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.35 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.98 | 12.22 | 16.95 | 21.56 | 12.07 | 11.31 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 29% | 3% | 4% | 6% | 22% | 25% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 10% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 20% | 24% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 117% | 451% | 503% | 442% | 389% | 358% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $2,658,977 | $880,085 | $4,169,477 | $2,297,954 | $1,815,087 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,133,023 | $4,925,568 | $9,883,748 | $1,553,425 | $2,681,284 |
| Short-term investments | $7,021,903 | $7,938,681 | $3,193,352 | $3,482,378 | $2,758,464 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $12,813,903 | $13,744,334 | $17,246,577 | $7,333,757 | $7,254,835 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $44,667,229 | $36,327,651 | $26,440,456 | $26,916,973 | $27,695,132 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $44,667,229 | $36,327,651 | $26,440,456 | $26,916,973 | $27,695,132 |
| Total assets | $57,481,132 | $50,071,985 | $43,687,033 | $34,250,730 | $34,949,967 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $104,071 | $148,425 | $300,884 | $142,548 | $101,704 |
| Other current liabilities | $100,317 | $97,663 | $267,707 | $232,198 | $224,808 |
| Total current liabilities | $204,388 | $246,088 | $568,591 | $374,746 | $326,512 |
| Debt | $1,468,466 | $1,767,616 | $2,054,704 | $6,989,622 | $8,313,689 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,468,466 | $1,767,616 | $2,054,704 | $6,989,622 | $8,313,689 |
| Total liabilities | $1,672,854 | $2,013,704 | $2,623,295 | $7,364,368 | $8,640,201 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $8,828,196 | $9,906,575 | $27,840,361 | $24,091,155 | $22,924,938 |
| With donor restrictions | $46,980,082 | $38,151,706 | $13,223,377 | $2,795,207 | $3,384,828 |
| Net assets | $55,808,278 | $48,058,281 | $41,063,738 | $26,886,362 | $26,309,766 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $11,103,932 | $8,512,674 | $15,997,850 | $2,074,768 | $2,148,006 |
| Program service revenue | $8,426,840 | $7,461,883 | $6,482,132 | $4,672,449 | $4,575,044 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $356,433 | $312,591 | $56,915 | $225,364 | $195,365 |
| Other revenue | $110,073 | $93,874 | $94,277 | $26,417 | $7,305 |
| Total other revenue | $8,893,346 | $7,868,348 | $6,633,324 | $4,924,230 | $4,777,714 |
| Total revenue | $19,997,278 | $16,381,022 | $22,631,174 | $6,998,998 | $6,925,720 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $11,385,061 | $9,008,108 | $8,682,882 | $6,526,673 | $6,970,650 |
| Management and general | $767,347 | $479,130 | $374,682 | $309,406 | $296,214 |
| Fundraising | $226,323 | $69,684 | $225,948 | $81,631 | $85,644 |
| Total expenses | $12,378,731 | $9,556,922 | $9,283,512 | $6,917,710 | $7,352,508 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $7,618,547 | $6,824,100 | $13,347,662 | $81,288 | ($426,788) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $7,618,547 | $6,824,100 | $13,347,662 | $81,288 | ($426,788) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Lance Davids | Head of School | $168,202 |
| Brent Vermeulen | Principal | $104,818 |
| Jim Devries | Director | $2,563 |
| Raleigh West | President | $2,563 |
Compensation data as of: 7/31/2025
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/15/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1911- Christian elementary schools established in Highland, Lansing, Munster, and South Holland, and more recently Crown Point. A need emerged for Christian secondary education in the area.
1944- First Illiana board meeting at the Munster Christian Reformed Church. Based on their report, the Illiana Christian High School Association was organized with 141 charter members. Each of the ten churches was represented by an elected board member forming the first Illiana board. It was at this meeting that Illiana was established!
1945-Illiana's founders felt challenged by the idea of creating Christian secondary education in the area, and in September the very first class started at the newly built location. The school held 90 students.
1946- By fall, the number had grown to 135 total students. The building wasn't finished and the accommodations were inadequate, so the students moved to a temporary location.
1948- Illiana's location was established on a piece of land called "Bock's Field" in Lansing, Ill.
1956 and 1966- The Illiana school building became too small to hold the growing number of students, so it went through constructional expansions in these two years. Around 260 students attended Illiana in '56, and the numbers kept increasing.
1977- A large gymnasium and industrial arts facility were added. Additional support staff was added to meet the increasing administrative and custodial needs. There were over 770 students crowding the halls of Illiana. All the students could not fit into the auditorium and separate chapels had to be held.
1980s and 90s- Illiana's diversity grew and added many new staff and faculty members to accommodate the students, still keeping its goal to provide Christian secondary education in Illinois and Indiana.
2018-Illiana Christian High School moved to a brand new building in Dyer, Indiana, and established itself within the community there.