Privacy Policy

Effective date: October 25, 2026

Holy Cross Lutheran Academy (“HCLA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a ministry of the Central Florida Cross Network, operates the website thehcla.org (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit the Site, how we use it, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here.

Information We Collect

Information you give us

We collect information you choose to provide when you use the Site, for example when you:

• Fill out a contact, RSVP, event, or order form (such as your name, email address, phone number, and message);
• Make a purchase or donation through a form on the Site (such as a Crusader Walk brick order);
• Apply for a position, request a tour, or begin an admissions inquiry or application;
• Sign up to receive school news or event information.

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Site, we and our service providers automatically collect certain information about your device and how you use the Site, such as your IP address, browser type, the pages you view, the links you click, and the date and time of your visit. We collect this information using cookies and similar technologies, including:

• Google Analytics (through Google Tag Manager), which helps us understand how visitors use the Site. You can learn how Google uses data at policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites and opt out with the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.
• Jetpack / WordPress.com Stats, operated by Automattic, which provides basic site traffic statistics.
• Akismet, operated by Automattic, which checks form submissions for spam. Submitted information (including your IP address) may be sent to Akismet for this purpose.

Embedded content

Pages on the Site may include embedded content from other services, such as YouTube videos and Google Calendar. Embedded content behaves as if you had visited the other website directly, and those services may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction with the embedded content according to their own privacy policies.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries, tour requests, applications, and messages;
• Process orders, payments, and donations;
• Send you school news, event details, and other communications you request;
• Operate, maintain, secure, and improve the Site;
• Comply with legal obligations and protect the rights and safety of our students, families, staff, and community.

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers. We use trusted third parties to help operate the Site and our school. These include Gravity Forms (form processing), Stripe (payment processing), Google (analytics and embedded services), Automattic (Jetpack and Akismet), and our web hosting provider. These providers may process your information only to perform services for us.
• Admissions and school systems. Tour requests, inquiries, applications, and enrollment are handled through FACTS (RenWeb), and certain school forms are handled through Cognito Forms. Online giving is handled through our church network’s giving platform. When you use these services, you are submitting information directly to them, and their privacy policies apply in addition to ours.
• Legal requirements. We may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of HCLA, our students, or others.
• Central Florida Cross Network. As a ministry of the Central Florida Cross Network, we may share information with our church network as needed to operate the school.

Payments

Payments made through the Site are processed by Stripe. Your full card number is transmitted directly to Stripe and is not stored on our servers. Stripe’s use of your information is governed by the Stripe Privacy Policy.

Children’s Privacy

The Site is intended for parents, guardians, prospective families, and other adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information through the Site, please contact us and we will delete it.

Photos and videos of students that appear on the Site and on HCLA social media are published in accordance with the media release signed by parents or guardians at enrollment. If you would like a photo of your child removed from the Site, please contact us using the information below.

Cookies and Your Choices

Most web browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through your browser settings. If you disable cookies, some features of the Site may not work as intended. You may also opt out of Google Analytics as described above. If you receive email communications from us, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link in the email or by contacting us.

Data Retention and Security

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this policy or as required by law. We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Links to Other Websites

The Site contains links to other websites, including our parent portal (FACTS), job postings, uniform vendors, and community partners. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:

Holy Cross Lutheran Academy
5450 Holy Cross Ct.
Sanford, FL 32771
Telephone: (407) 936-3636
Email: marketing@thehcla.org