Secondary Academics

ACADEMICS

Middle School Academics
Students are taught the core subjects each day: English, mathematics, history, science, Bible, and physical education. Electives are also available such as art, choir, drama, creative writing, health, band, mission opportunities, yearbook, and others as needed. Chapel services are held once a week.  

Riverside Christian Middle School has a comprehensive athletics program with competing teams in cheer, football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cross-country, and track and field. We are members of the Mountain Valley League and compete against other Christian schools.  

All of the teachers of Riverside Christian Middle School are degreed and certified. RCMS meets all standards and is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and by American Christian Schools International (ACSI).  

We praise the Lord for His guidance and pray for wisdom as we continue to “Educate Young People for Eternity.” It is our prayer that while attending Riverside Christian Middle School every student will be challenged and grow spiritually and academically.  

Each quarter consists of 9 weeks and is independent of the other 3 quarters. The Middle School core curriculum includes:

Elective Academic Opportunities
Riverside Christian Middle School participates in various ACSI academic contests during the school year. Competition is held between the various Christian schools in the areas of math, spelling, and speech.  

Riverside Christian Middle School elective academic opportunities include: Spanish, Health, Yearbook, Creative Writing, Computer, Art, and Mission Opportunities.  

Web-Based Academic Programs
Riverside Christian Middle School utilizes the MIND Research Institute's fiJi Math, which uses spatial and temporal reasoning to present and teach mathematical concepts using an innovative computer program. The JiJi MIND Institute Program offers:  

Innovative visual approaches teaching math concepts.
Comprehensive coursework aligned to state standards.
Increased standardized test scores for students.
Game metaphors that engage students who have struggled with conventional approaches in math learning.
Language independent software lessons that reduce the language barrier when learning math.
RAMP instruction designed to reach students at every level of academic proficiency.
Innovative games which train students in multi-step problem solving.
Self-paced coursework that makes teaching easier and more productive.  

Performing Arts
Riverside Christian Middle School presented the musical Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Beauty and The Beast for the 2012-2013 school year with record participation. Our orchestra program includes woodwinds, brass, percussion and string instruments.

Leadership
Opportunities exist for our middle school students to develop their leadership skills. An elected Associated Student Body (ASB) plans many activities involving times of fun and fellowship. It is the duty of the ASB to plan social functions for the student body throughout the school year.    

High School Academics
Riverside Christian Schools is accredited K-12 (six-year status) by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). WASC is responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, and schools in the western United States, and ACSI is responsible for the accreditation of evangelical Christian schools in America and abroad. This dual accreditation by WASC and ACSI ensures that Riverside Christian's comprehensive program of study meets the rigorous standards of both the academic community and the community of faith.  

Riverside Christian is a charter member of ACSI, the largest evangelical Christian school organization in the world. ACSI serves over 5.5 million students in 23,000 schools worldwide. As an ACSI-member school, RCS is actively involved in numerous ACSI student activities, including speech meets, spelling bees, Math Olympics, choral festivals, instrumental music festivals, art festivals, science fairs, and other events.  

In addition, RCS engages in ACSI-sponsored and endorsed professional development and training events, such as educator conventions, leadership conferences, and on-campus in-service instruction. All RCS teachers and administrators are required to have ACSI educator certification in their area of instructional or leadership responsibility. RCS also cooperates with California Baptist University’s Metcalf School of Education regarding student teaching and the preparation process for current credential candidates, as well as ongoing education for teachers currently holding California state credentials.  

Further, RCS teachers and administrators regularly serve with WASC and ACSI accreditation officials as visiting committee members and accreditation consultants to schools throughout Southern California. This participation in the comprehensive assessment and improvement of Christian schools not only serves the visiting institution, but also allows RCS educators to observe and emulate the newest and best practices of the 21st century educational community at large.  

RCS administrators and faculty members also serve as advisory board members and pre-admissions interviewers for a number of universities (including Harvard), committee and sub-committee members for ACSI, guest lecturers and adjunct professors, and co-authors of internationally-recognized Christian school curricula and national standardized tests.  

National standardized test scores of RCS students are significantly above national norms. Riverside Christian curricula meet or exceed the Common Core state framework and national education standards for K–12 schools. Riverside Christian’s Interdisciplinary Curriculum Committee (ICC) guides the school-wide curricular evaluation process, involving representatives from all grade levels and subject areas across the curriculum, as well as third party experts in ongoing curricular development, implementation, and evaluation. Instructional assessment and curricular development are data driven.  

Riverside Christian Secondary School — High School Academics Riverside Christian Secondary School is comprised of Riverside Christian Middle School and Riverside Christian High School, both of which are private, non-denominational Christian schools that are dually accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).  

Riverside Christian Secondary School is dedicated to causing students to learn at the highest levels of spiritual, intellectual, and physical engagement. Highly qualified and specialized teachers lead students in opportunities to explore and innovate, and be transformed for the glory of God in the process. Every course and activity is presented within the context of a Biblical worldview, founded on the reality of absolute truth, with the continual hope that all students will be drawn to a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.  

As alluded to above, Riverside Christian High School conducts its academic program in an educational environment that encourages exploration, innovation, and transformation, and is dedicated to preparing students to compete and thrive spiritually, academically, and socially in an ever-changing cultural and global landscape. From the school’s recently remodeled Science Lab to co-curricular projects designed to stretch students’ intellectual boundaries—such as the “Race to Space” International Space Station Project, the cornerstone of RCS’ new Applied Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (AMSE) program—RCHS offers a progressive academic program.  

RCHS is a member of the University of California college preparatory program. RCHS is dedicated to providing each student with the opportunity to participate in a number of co-curricular activities including visual and performing arts, missions programs, and community outreach projects. Foremost, RCHS is committed to providing an atmosphere where students can develop a rich spiritual life in a traditional and conservative academic and social environment, with Christ at the center.

Unique to the region, RCHS offers a three-track program of study. The Scholars Track challenges students at the highest level of college preparatory academics, including Advanced Placement and Honors courses. The Standards Track meets or exceeds all Common Core national and state standards, in preparation for future college education and career. The Success Track offers select students with identified learning challenges the opportunity to learn and thrive in a Christian school atmosphere. This three-track system of academic preparation helps meet the intellectual needs of all RCHS students at a higher level of customization than might ordinary be found in other faith-based institutions, and serves a more comprehensive portion of the Inland Empire’s Christian community.  

Riverside Christian High School awards a college preparatory high school diploma based on admission to the California State University system, the University of California, and private four-year colleges and universities. A minimum of 240 units is required for graduation, which includes all course requirements stipulated by the California State Department of Education. A college preparatory diploma includes the following:

Standardized Testing

Honors and A.P. Courses

College and University
Acceptances Nearly 100% of each senior class pursues higher education. The following is a list of colleges and universities that have proudly accepted RCHS graduates in the past five years.