Hear the Experience of RCA Parents
Our History
In late 2020, Pastor Ray Jones stated, “the Lord began to burden me with this matter of our role in educating “the little ones.” I have been praying since. I shared with our deacons about the spiritual need in education for our children and received their affirmation to go forward. Subsequently, I appointed a task force to begin studying and putting together a plan for how Ridgecrest could expand our ministries to include, eventually, an elementary Academy.”
Pastor Ray shared several compelling reasons for Ridgecrest to begin this process.
1. Since the beginning of our nation the Christian Church has historically been instrumental in the field of education.
2. The current course of national education is becoming increasingly resistant and restrictive to any Christian belief, practice or expressions of Christianity, while including instruction and affirmation of lifestyles that are clearly non-biblical and excluding American Christian history and absolute moral standards.
3.. The Church has the responsibility to preserve and protect the integrity of God’s truth in the hearts and minds of the little ones.
4. Through Christian education the Church has the opportunity to invest God’s truth in the generations to come, and thus make a difference for God.
In August of 2021, our first Ridgecrest Christian Academy students started first grade. From there we plan to add a grade each year until we have a 5th grade class.
Pastor Ray shared several compelling reasons for Ridgecrest to begin this process.
1. Since the beginning of our nation the Christian Church has historically been instrumental in the field of education.
2. The current course of national education is becoming increasingly resistant and restrictive to any Christian belief, practice or expressions of Christianity, while including instruction and affirmation of lifestyles that are clearly non-biblical and excluding American Christian history and absolute moral standards.
3.. The Church has the responsibility to preserve and protect the integrity of God’s truth in the hearts and minds of the little ones.
4. Through Christian education the Church has the opportunity to invest God’s truth in the generations to come, and thus make a difference for God.
In August of 2021, our first Ridgecrest Christian Academy students started first grade. From there we plan to add a grade each year until we have a 5th grade class.
2023-2024 School Calendar
Special Dates:
August 8: First Day of School
October 9-16: Fall Break
November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
December 25-January 8: Christmas Break
March 25-April 1: Spring Break
May 17: Last Day of School
August 8: First Day of School
October 9-16: Fall Break
November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
December 25-January 8: Christmas Break
March 25-April 1: Spring Break
May 17: Last Day of School
Employment
Substitute Teachers
Ridgecrest Christian Academy is looking for qualified adults to substitute for our first grade. At least a high school diploma/GED is preferred for the substitute teacher position. Qualified applicants should send resumes to our Center Director, Melanie Wynkoop, mwynkoop@rbcdothan.org.
Elementary Teachers
Ridgecrest Christian Academy is looking for qualified elementary teachers for 2023-24 school year. Qualified applicants should send resumes to our Center Director, Melanie Wynkoop, mwynkoop@rbcdothan.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does RCA have?
We currently have K5 and first and second grades. We will add 3rd grade for the 2023-24 school year.
What Is the mascot?
We are The Ridgecrest Lions.
What are the school colors?
The school colors are Blue and Gold.
What does tuition cost?
The cost for the 2023-2024 school year is $5,200 which includes book fees. The registration fee is $175.
Are there any tuition discounts?
Are there uniforms?
We have a dress code that will consist of a solid collared top, Khaki or navy bottoms; shorts and pants for the boys and pants, skorts, jumpers or polo dresses for the girls.
What curriculum is used?
The RCA Task Force has prayerfully selected BJU Press for our school curriculum. https://www.bjupress.com/about/
Founded in 1974, BJU Press has become the leading publisher of Christian textbooks and educational resources written from a thoroughly Biblical worldview and a research-based pedagogical perspective.
What Makes BJU Press Unique? BJU Press uniquely combines the following elements:
1. Biblical Worldview. This isn't just a buzz word or several tacked-on Bible verses. At BJU Press, it is the starting point for the entire writing team and Biblical Integration department. Each new textbook revision reflects careful evaluation and improvement toward this goal, helping students to view that subject area from a Biblical perspective. BJU Press believes that your textbook provider should help you achieve your spiritual formation goals for your students, not provide worldview challenges to overcome.
2. Critical Thinking Development. An educational process that simply trains students to parrot back answers for testing purposes (the very lowest levels of Bloom's taxonomy) doesn't serve them well. Instead, they can be drawn to their full potential by careful questioning, leading them toward a deep interaction with the content. BJU Press assists teachers to achieve this educational goal and provides students with higher-level application questions in their student texts. Because BJU Press believes “the teacher is the key”, instructional materials are written to support teachers as they customize their curriculum to meet the needs of their students and develop their thinking skills.
3. Academic Rigor. A Christian school shouldn't feel that they are settling for second-best when they choose a Christian textbook, written from a Biblical world and life view. BJU Press textbooks a proven choice with high achieving Christian schools. Textbooks are built upon ongoing research and are crafted for engagement, supporting schools which strive for academic excellence.
4. Technology Solutions. While sound educational strategies don’t change, the tools that teachers employ do. BJU Press is committed to providing technology tools that support classroom instruction and student achievement. These include a presentation and instructional tools for teachers, found at www.teachertoolsonline.com. They also include eTextbooks for students and the powerful (and free) www.AfterSchoolHelp.com site.
Is there before and after school care?
Yes, this is managed by the Ridgecrest Christian Academy Early Learning Center. Contact the school office for more info.
Besides academic classes, what other classes are offered?
Students will attend a Chapel service every Monday led by one of the Ridgecrest Ministry Staff Leaders. Students have Art, Spanish, PE, and Library time every week.
We currently have K5 and first and second grades. We will add 3rd grade for the 2023-24 school year.
What Is the mascot?
We are The Ridgecrest Lions.
What are the school colors?
The school colors are Blue and Gold.
What does tuition cost?
The cost for the 2023-2024 school year is $5,200 which includes book fees. The registration fee is $175.
Are there any tuition discounts?
- Tuition paid in full for the year – 5%
- Multiple child – 10% for the extra children, does not include first child.
- Military/First Responders – 10% for all active/retired military, law enforcement, fire, and EMS.
- Ridgecrest Members – 10% for members in good standing.
- Full time Ministers – 25% for those in full time ministry.
Are there uniforms?
We have a dress code that will consist of a solid collared top, Khaki or navy bottoms; shorts and pants for the boys and pants, skorts, jumpers or polo dresses for the girls.
What curriculum is used?
The RCA Task Force has prayerfully selected BJU Press for our school curriculum. https://www.bjupress.com/about/
Founded in 1974, BJU Press has become the leading publisher of Christian textbooks and educational resources written from a thoroughly Biblical worldview and a research-based pedagogical perspective.
What Makes BJU Press Unique? BJU Press uniquely combines the following elements:
1. Biblical Worldview. This isn't just a buzz word or several tacked-on Bible verses. At BJU Press, it is the starting point for the entire writing team and Biblical Integration department. Each new textbook revision reflects careful evaluation and improvement toward this goal, helping students to view that subject area from a Biblical perspective. BJU Press believes that your textbook provider should help you achieve your spiritual formation goals for your students, not provide worldview challenges to overcome.
2. Critical Thinking Development. An educational process that simply trains students to parrot back answers for testing purposes (the very lowest levels of Bloom's taxonomy) doesn't serve them well. Instead, they can be drawn to their full potential by careful questioning, leading them toward a deep interaction with the content. BJU Press assists teachers to achieve this educational goal and provides students with higher-level application questions in their student texts. Because BJU Press believes “the teacher is the key”, instructional materials are written to support teachers as they customize their curriculum to meet the needs of their students and develop their thinking skills.
3. Academic Rigor. A Christian school shouldn't feel that they are settling for second-best when they choose a Christian textbook, written from a Biblical world and life view. BJU Press textbooks a proven choice with high achieving Christian schools. Textbooks are built upon ongoing research and are crafted for engagement, supporting schools which strive for academic excellence.
4. Technology Solutions. While sound educational strategies don’t change, the tools that teachers employ do. BJU Press is committed to providing technology tools that support classroom instruction and student achievement. These include a presentation and instructional tools for teachers, found at www.teachertoolsonline.com. They also include eTextbooks for students and the powerful (and free) www.AfterSchoolHelp.com site.
Is there before and after school care?
Yes, this is managed by the Ridgecrest Christian Academy Early Learning Center. Contact the school office for more info.
Besides academic classes, what other classes are offered?
Students will attend a Chapel service every Monday led by one of the Ridgecrest Ministry Staff Leaders. Students have Art, Spanish, PE, and Library time every week.