Christian Heritage Academy
CHA’s landscaping didn’t reflect the life and warmth of the school’s reputation. The school wanted to be seen as an oasis in Dell City. Willis helped them bring that oasis to life, transforming a struggling campus into welcoming school grounds.
Services Provided
- Full campus rehab (3–5 year process)
- Irrigation management
- Mulch installations
- Seasonal color installations
- Arbor care
- Snow and ice management
- Athletic field maintenance
- Soil amendment (top dressing, aeration, deep root fertilization)
- Ongoing maintenance (mowing, turf, weed control, horticulture)
About CHA
Christian Heritage Academy is a private Christian school managing a multi-building campus with athletic facilities. Warm and welcoming grounds are important to staff, students, and prospective families.
The Situation Before Willis
In 2012, Christian Heritage Academy completed a successful capital campaign that built new buildings and a parking lot, but the landscaping left a lot to be desired. New plants were placed directly in red-clay fill, which is intended for building foundations and not the ideal environment for plants to thrive. The plants that did survive looked undernourished. The grass was thin and yellow, and the trees never became full.
Our Solution
Addressing soil health is never a quick fix. We committed to a multi-year approach, spending the first few years building up the soil. We top-dressed with compost, aerated so nutrients could reach the roots, and added deep-root fertilization on the trees. Over time, it became self-sustaining. Today, CHA’s landscaping reflects the care it invests in its students and community.
The Biggest Wins
- Soil became self-sustaining after a few years, reducing the need for intensive intervention
- 14-year partnership that’s delivered consistent, reliable service
- Improving school identity through the landscape to reflect CHA’s standards
What’s Next
With the campus now thriving, our focus remains on protecting the progress made through ongoing maintenance, proactive care, and continual landscape enhancements. Managing soil health and consistent maintenance across diverse plantings — from turf to trees to seasonal color — requires a partner who understands the needs of the environment and can stick with long-term improvement. Together, we’ll ensure the grounds continue to reflect the welcoming environment and high standards that define Christian Heritage Academy.