About RCS

Established in 1981, RCS is a non-denominational, parent supported school which currently includes grades K-8 as well as a licensed pre-school. The school purchased and moved into its present building, the former Valley Elementary School, in August 2003. RCS meets all standards prescribed by the Minnesota Department of Public Instruction and offers those subjects commonly taught at the kindergarten, elementary and middle school levels. The school is staffed by qualified, state certified teachers and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

The academic programs of RCS are only a part of the educational process. The school presents a Bible centered philosophy of education that places Christ at the center of all things. Academically, RCS will aspire to maintain high scholastic standards. The school will promote man's stewardship role. We believe that classroom methods should be teacher directed (Deut 6:7), with the student acquiring knowledge through studying, researching, reasoning and relating. To carry out these objectives, only Minnesota certified teachers who agree with RCS's philosophy of education will be employed.

1.	We believe the Bible to be the inspired, only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (II Tim 3:15, II Peter 1:21).
2.	We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Gen 1:1, Matt 28:19, John 10:30).
3.	We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33); His virgin birth (Is 7:14, Matt 1:23, Luke 1:35); His sinless life (Heb 4:15, Heb 7:26); His mercies (John 2:11); His vicarious and atoning death (I Cor 15:3, Eph 1:7, Heb 2:9); His resurrection (John 11:25, I Cor 15:4); His ascension to the right hand of God the Father (Mark 16:19); His present reign and His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Rev 19:11).
4.	We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature; that men are justified on single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ; that only by God's grace and through faith alone are we saved (John 3:16-19, John 5:24, Rom 3:23, Eph 2:8-10, Titus 3:5).
5.	We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto eternal death (John 5:28-29).
6.	We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 8:9, I Cor 12:12-13, Gal 3: 26-28).
7.	We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Rom 8: 13-14, I Cor 3:16, I Cor 6: 19-20, Eph 4:30, Eph 5:18).

1.	The parents must state in writing that they have read and agree with the Statement of Faith of the school, and both parents must agree to have their children educated in accordance therewith. Exceptions will be made for single parent homes.
2.	The parents must agree in writing that: a. The school has full discretion in the discipline of their children according to the RCS Discipline Policy. b. The school has final discretion for the admission and grade placement of children. c. They will meet all tuition and other financial obligations. No school records will be released until all financial obligations are fulfilled or arrangements for payment are made with the administrator. d. They will willingly support the school in prayer and in lending practical help as requested by the school. e. They have read and agree with the Statement of Parental Support.
3.	Both parents must be interviewed by the administrator and another board member except under unusual circumstances.
4.	Prospective students in grades K-8 will be given an entrance test to determine grade placement and to determine if the prospective students fit the educational capabilities of the school.
5.	Prospective kindergarten students must be five years old by August 31 of the school year.
6.	Families will be accepted in the order of receipt of application and registration fee. Students of school families will not have priority over students of prospective school families after April 1.
7.	Acceptance or rejection of all applicants will be by written notification. All new and/or returning students will be admitted on a nine week trial basis.
8.	The registration fee(s) will be refunded if the student(s) is(are) not accepted by the school.
9.	RCS admits students regardless of race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin.
10.	Minnesota law requires that all children be properly immunized before they can be admitted to school. A Certification of Immunization indicating the immunization status of the student, properly completed and signed by a physician or public health authority, as well as a copy of the student's birth certificate, must be presented to the school.

Grading

Grades are reported either by percentage or by letter grade. The following scale is used:
                        A     94-100%
                        B     86-93%
                        C     77-85%
                        D     70-76%
                        F      69% and below

Report Cards and Teacher Conferences

Every student is urged to work up to their ability and to achieve the potential the Lord has given them.

The purpose of our report card is to give parents and student an indication of the student's progress. In order for parents to know of their children's progress first-hand, a parent-teacher conference will be held at the ends of the first quarter (first nine weeks) and the third quarter. At both times, all parents will have a time scheduled for them to come in and discuss their children's progress.

Mid-term progress reports are sent out to give parents an early projection concerning the child's progress.

Parents are urged to call the school and schedule a conference at any time to discuss their child's work. The teachers welcome these opportunities.

Library fines and tuition must be current each quarter before report cards will be sent home. The final report card and transfer of official school records will be withheld until any outstanding tuition and fines have been paid.

Standardized Testing

The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) will be administered to grades 4, 6 and 8 each spring. The scores are placed in the student's permanent folder in the school office. Other grades may be tested at the discretion of the administrator.

1.	Most students will have some homework each night. The kind and amount of homework depends on the grade involved, but areas in which homework might be anticipated are areas of drill, memorization of factual material, reading asssignments and research projects.
2.	Generally, 10 minutes multiplied by the grade level is a good guideline to use for the amount of time to be spent on homework.
3.	Teachers will attempt not to give homework on Wednesday nights. In most cases, if a student has homework on a Wednesday night, he/she did not get the work completed during study time in the school day.
4.	Grades 4-8 will be required to keep an assignment notebook. The student will be responsible for writing down the daily assignments in this notebook.

Goal

The goal of Riverside Christian Preschool is to enhance each child's learning through the development of his or her emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and most of all, spiritual needs. These needs will be met as our teachers introduce the children in their care to: Bible stories and attitudes that reflect the love of Jesus, finger plays and creative movement, art activities, dramatic play materials, physical activities, and activities that stimulate their curiosity and independence.

Program Objectives

Riverside Christian Preschool is licensed through the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services (612-296-3971). Each classroom will consist of up to 10 students with a certified teacher and director.

The following are basic learning objectives for students:

1.	Be exposed to God's word and attitudes that reflect the love of Jesus Christ.
2.	Develop social and emotional skills.
3.	Develop auditory and visual skills.
4.	Develop large and small muscle skills and coordination.
5.	Learn to problem solve and think independently.
6.	Gain pre-math and pre-reading skills.
7.	Participate on creative art and music.

Enrollment

Riverside Christian School has Preschool for children ages 3 and 4 years. Students must turn 3 or 4 by September 1st of the current school year.

3 year old classes are T/Thurs from 8:25 - 11:30 and 12:15- 3:05 (afternoon session to be added if enrollments exceed 10 children in the morning class)

4 year old classes are M/W/F from 8:25 - 11:30, and 12:15- 3:05 (afternoon session to be added if enrollments exceed 10 children in the morning class).

Class schedule follows the Riverside Christian School calendar.