Riverside Christian Schools Origin and History

Under the name Riverside Christian High School, RCS was founded in 1958 by a group of concerned Christian laymen comprised largely of local business and professional men and women who had a vision of providing a Christ-centered secondary education for young people in the Riverside area.

The first meeting place was in Cooper’s Music Store in downtown Riverside. In 1959, the school met at Arlington Avenue Baptist Church. In 1964 the school moved to its present location on Monroe Street after the land was purchased and donated to the school by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Yoder.

A complete program for grades one through twelve was established in 1976 with the opening of the elementary school. Kindergarten was added in 1979 and the preschool was licensed in 1985.

The legal corporate name was changed to Riverside Christian Schools in 1995 to reflect the growing more encompassing scope of education offered, as well as the changing district structure of the organization. RCS currently provides educational opportunities for preschoolers, kindergartners, elementary students (grades one through five), middle school students (grades six through eight), and high school students (grades nine through twelve).

Riverside Christian Schools is an non-denominational, independent educational institution and is incorporated as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of California. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnic, or national origin. In accordance with the provisions of state law, the school reserves the legal right to discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs. School policy is determined by a properly constituted, self-perpetuating School Board of Directors. In addition, school policy is guided by Biblical truths and precepts in order to keep the school in a position of submission and obedience to God, and to underscore the school’s commitment to Christ, His Word, and His kingdom. In 2002 RCS was accredited by WASC and ACSI.