Christel House International is a global nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty. With a presence in five countries, soon to be seven, Christel House builds and operates schools that deliver continued critical full-circle support from kindergarten to careers.
Now Christel House is expanding its global reach, growing our capacity to reach more than 18,000 students each year. With our holistic “Classrooms to Life” approach, that means thousands more children living in poverty gaining access not only to a free high-quality Christel House education, but to healthcare, nutritious meals, social services, scholarship opportunities, financial support, and career coaching—support that begins in early childhood and continues for 18+ years. Christel House provides students around the world with support, stability, and opportunities for better life outcomes.
The Christel House model empowers students experiencing poverty to achieve economic mobility, demonstrate good citizenship, and identify and realize their goals, dreams, and human potential.
For 27 years, Christel House has been redefining what’s possible for children born into poverty. Now, we’re scaling our impact — we will open five new schools by 2028, deepening our work in India, Mexico, and South Africa and expanding into two new geographies – Colombia and Nepal.
Our schools are at the heart of what we do, serving as the critical bridge between poverty and successful life outcomes for children in some of the most under-resourced communities around the world. We are now committed to reaching even more children with a goal of launching five new schools in the next five years.
Christel House India was founded in 2001 in Bangalore. It has a second school in Atal Nagar and is preparing to open two more schools, one in Pune, and the fourth in Thane (near Mumbai) in 2026.
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Christel House Jamaica was founded in 2020 in Spanish Town. The school serves kindergarten to grade 7 and is expanding annually to eventually serve all grades.
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Christel House Mexico was founded in 1998 in Mexico City. It serves students from grades 1 to 12 and is preparing to open a second school in the city in 2025.
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Christel House South Africa opened in 2002 in Cape Town. To further its impact in the Western Cape, it will double the number of high school students served on its existing campus in 2025.
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Christel House Indianapolis was founded in 2002. It operates four public charter schools, including two K-8 academies, a high school, and an adult high school.
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Christel House and Fundación Santo Domingo will work closely throughout 2026 to prepare to launch the Christel House model in Colombia starting in 2027.
Plans are underway to open a Christel House school in Nepal as early as 2028.
We have helped thousands of children achieve profound, lasting success by equipping them with the tools necessary to become agents of change in their own lives and in the lives of those around them. Our impact extends beyond our students’ academic successes; it transforms life outcomes.
Join us in transforming life outcomes for thousands around the world. There are many ways that you can directly support and expand our work.
We were founded on Christel DeHaan’s enduring belief that every child deserves the best chance at life. Delve into the inspiring story of our Founder and see why we do what we do.
