State of the School

Theme: Rise Up (Neh 2:18 – Let us rise up…and build!)

  • R – Resource
    • A transformational education depends upon an extensive investment of resources. We will plan and provide physical environments conducive to learning and outstanding academic opportunities, while attracting and retaining top-tier faculty and like-minded families. We will continue to practice diligent and responsible management of current resources while pursuing new funding sources. 
    • Scriptural foundation: 
      • 2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
      • Exodus 25 – God provides resources
      • Exodus 31 God provides skilled craftsman
    • Finances
      • Develop and execute Capital Fund Raising Plan
      • Updated 5 Year Tuition/Enrollment/Operations Trend Roadmap
      • Develop a spirit of philanthropy (continue to broaden our donor base, endowments, alumni, legacy makers)
        • Tools for fundraising
        • Events & processes
        • Explore networking and growth opportunities
      • Finalize remaining details for campus master plan
    • Staffing & HR
      • Target and hire key staff
        • FT Security staff
        • Dean of Student Life
        • Coordinator of Student Performance & Improvement
          • Address students with special needs as well as advanced learners
        • Assistant Superintendent of Academics & Instruction
      • Maintain competitive salaries & compensation packages
  • I – Innovation
    • With a clear shift towards innovation-intensive activities in our world, there is a need to rethink existing vocational approaches in order to stay relevant. What is needed is a set of twenty-first century skills, which can be broadly categorized into learning and innovation skills; information, media and technology skills; and life and career skills. We desire to not only teach these skills, but also carefully procure the right technology and equipment needed to learn said skills for today and tomorrow. 
    • Scriptural foundation:
      • Exodus 35:31 “…he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills…”
      • 1 Kings 3:12 I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
    • Formalize and Develop our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Program
    • Adopt and expand our technology plan to address:
      • 21st Century skills
      • Technology integration in the classroom using SAMR or similar models
      • AI/VR/AR labs and collaboration areas
      • Cybersecurity
      • Design/fabrication approach
  • S – Spiritual Development & Transformation
    • As we seek to develop the whole student, we will focus on transforming the heart as well as the mind. Spiritual maturity through discipleship is a desired outcome of all curricular and co-curricular activities. 
    • Scriptural foundation
      • 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
      • Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
      • Hebrews 6:1a “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…”
    • Use the expected student outcomes embedded in our “Portrait of a Graduate” to strengthen effective spiritual development
      • Impactful, engaging & relevant chapels
      • Strong Biblical integration and worldview inculcation 
      • Focus on life calling vs college prep – “Not just ready for college, ready for life.”
      • Provide experiential opportunities to develop discipleship, servanthood, leadership, and relational capacities
      • Recognize Biblical character traits and Christlikeness 
    • Develop strategies to determine spiritual development and growth of students – The “Ezra Initiative”
  • E – Educational Excellence
    • Educational excellence is a foundational premise upon which our mission statement rests. It builds upon a robust and coordinated set of activities and programs that help all students develop and use their God-given gifts and talents to engage with a world beyond the classroom. We believe the knowledge contained in this world leads us to better understanding Christ. At RCS we study the created to understand the Creator.
    • Scriptural foundation:
      • Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
      • Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
      • Ecclesiastes 9:10a Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.
    • Improve instructional quality & teacher development
      • Strong on-boarding/orientation process for new teachers
      • Enhanced teacher evaluation and development/coaching systems
      • Enhance process to cultivate more academic & instructional leaders
    • Develop more strategies to encourage and recognize academic achievement
      • Duke TiP
      • Meaningful awards, recognitions and ceremonies
      • Create strategies to assess and move RCS toward achieving the following: 
        • Increase ACT/SAT/AP scores
        • National Merit Scholar Finalists
        • Blue Ribbon Recognition
    • Review schoolwide academic formative and summative assessments & metrics to assist in data-driven decision-making
  • U – Uniquely Unified
    • We recognize RCS is a diverse community within the larger body of believers. We will take every opportunity to promote fellowship and engagement. We will keep all members of the RCS family (parents, students, staff, and alumni) informed in order to connect all to our vision, mission and one another. 
    • Scriptural foundation
      • Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
      • Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
    • Create and evaluate volunteer opportunities and parent gatherings to increase effectiveness and involvement – “Value is added when engagement is increased.” 
    • Formalize our alumni program
      • Increase alumni participation in current and future events
      • Improve and increase engagement with alumni and their families
    • Emphasize a culture of volunteerism, contribution, outreach & ministry
    • Continuously seek the most effective communication strategies for our parents and community
    • GRACE Training – Helping students have a proper, Bible-centered understanding of gender, race, ability, culture and economic differences in our world.
  • P – Programming
    • RCS is committed to creating the right set of experiences and opportunities necessary to develop the child and fulfill our 3-fold mission. By “programming” we mean all the classes, courses, teams, events and activities our school creates. These serves as the catalyst for change and growth to occur in the hearts, minds and bodies of our students. We will be purposeful and intentional curating these opportunities in order maximize the impact on child’s learning and development. 
    • Scriptural foundation
      • Acts 6 – The early church created programs to care for widows and orphans and distribute food.
      • Neh 3 – Nehemiah creates multiple programs in which he assigns various groups and families to numerous spots along the wall, the gates and other duties.
      • Deut 1:9-18 Moses creates a leadership program which allows a better delegation of tasks in order to meet the needs of the people. 
    • Academic
      • Continue Deployment and Development of Cougar Institute (HS) 
        • Creative Scheduling – Online courses/hybrid scheduling
        • Internships
        • Symposia
      • Create “Winterim,” “J-Term” or “minimester” learning opportunities and to pique student interests
    • Athletics
      • Better on-boarding and sustained training for coaches
      • Create a “Competitive Edge” culture and be a leader in our local FCA activities
      • Enhance nutrition and off-season strength & conditioning
      • Create new teams based on student interest
    • Fine Arts
      • More offerings for
        • Instrumental
        • Vocal
        • Creative/Visual Arts
        • Dance
        • Tech Integration (graphic arts and design, AR/VR art shows & exhibits)