About Ridgefield

Our Mission

Since 1993, Ridgefield Christian School has been partnering with families to provide Christ-centered education guiding students into the knowledge of God, the development of Christian character, and academic excellence anchored in a biblical worldview. Our aim is to equip minds and shape hearts for a Christ-centered future.

Our Vision

Ridgefield Christian School’s vision is to be the premier Christian school choice in Northeast Arkansas known for our purposeful discipleship of students, high-quality academic programs, competitive athletics, thriving fine arts programs, and accessibility to families regardless of financial or academic need.

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Our Philosophy of Education

We believe that great education is about equipping minds and shaping hearts for a Christ-centered future. Our philosophy of education revolves around the pillars of biblical worldview, parental partnership, holistic education, and love of learning. It’s deeply rooted in the principles of a vibrant Christian faith, fostering a nurturing environment where students can flourish with purpose for a purpose.

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

Learning is grounded in a biblical worldview, recognizing God as the ultimate source of truth and wisdom. Knowing God personally, through His Son, Jesus Christ, is the first step to becoming truly educated. We integrate the teachings of the Bible across all subjects, encouraging students to view all things through the lens of a biblical worldview. By instilling a strong foundation on biblical truth, we aim to equip students with a moral compass that will guide them through life’s challenges and choices.

PARENTAL PARTNERSHIP

We strive to cultivate a strong collaborative partnership by fostering open communication, regular updates, and opportunities for parents to participate in school activities. Together, we aim to create a supportive community that empowers students to thrive academically and grow in their Christian faith.

HOLISTIC EDUCATION

We focus on the holistic development of each student – academically, socially, physically, and spiritually. Our curriculum goes beyond the acquisition of knowledge to focus on character formation, critical thinking, and practical application of skills. Through a blend of rigorous academics, creative expression, and spiritual and social formation activities, we nurture well-rounded Christ-like individuals who are prepared to make positive contributions to their communities and the world.

LOVE FOR LEARNING

We aspire to create an engaging and inspiring learning environment that sparks curiosity and a love for learning. Our dedicated teachers strive to encourage and challenge students to explore, question, and discover. By fostering a curiosity-driven approach to education, we aim to prepare students not only for academic success but also for a lifelong journey of continuous learning and growth.

Together, we aspire to mold young minds and hearts, preparing students to navigate the complexities of the world with wisdom, integrity, and a strong foundation in their Christian faith.

LEADERSHIP

Administration

Dr. Matt Hill

School Board Chairman

Kayla Davidson

Educational Administrator

Elizabeth Howell

Academic Advisor/Admissions Director

Morgan Colburn

Athletic Director / Facilities Manager

Board of Directors

RCS is overseen by a self-perpetuating policy governance Board of Directors. The board selects new members based on demonstrated spiritual maturity, leadership wisdom, and committed support for the school and its mission. Authority and responsibility for all operations of the school is delegated by the Board to the Head of School. The Board maintains policy oversight and final authority for the vision, direction, and mission of the school as well as the direct oversight of the Head of School. Trustees stay informed and active in school matters but exercise their authority through establishing an ongoing strategic plan. reviewing and approving school policy, setting the annual budget, establishing guidelines for facility development, and operating capital campaigns.

Members

  • Dr. Matt Hill, Chair
  • Jeff Armstrong, Vice-Chair
  • Mrs. Amie Smith, Secretary
  • Mr. Joe Carter
  • Mr. Rick McKinney

STAFF

Gabbi Barnett

Business Office

Dorina Colburn

Office Manager

Accreditation & Associations

Accreditation is an important validation of our programs and operations and offers assurance to our constituents and community that we are committed to excellence.

The accreditation process involves the measurement of a school’s performance and operations by an outside agency against of a set of standards based on best practices in private and Christian education. At the heart of this process is a comprehensive self-study report along with an annual review of the school’s progress. 

Ridgefield Christian School is fully accredited by the Arkansas Nonpublic Schools Accrediting Association

Ridgefield competes in the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) for athletics and other school activities.

Beliefs and Doctrine

STATEMENT OF FAITH

The basis of Ridgefield Christian School is the revealed Word of God, the written Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as they are generally interpreted, in the historical evangelical confessions of faith. In accordance with these confessions, we hold unreservedly to the sovereignty of God, revealed in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, over the world and thus over every department of human activity, and submit unconditionally to the authority of Holy Scriptures, thereby recognizing these Scriptures as the supreme and final standard for Christian education and all matters of faith and life. On this basis we subscribe the following statements of belief:

  1. We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, inerrant, authoritative Word of God.
  2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  3. We believe in the deity of Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
  4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential
  5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
  6. We believe in the Biblical account of creation and reject naturalistic and theistic evolution.
  7. We believe in God’s design for marriage, sexuality, and human personhood as revealed in Scripture and consistently taught throughout Christian tradition.
  8. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto resurrection of life; and they are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
  9. We believe in the unity of believers, based upon the above statements of faith.

STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE, GENDER, & SEXUALITY

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen 2:18-25). We honor and respect marriage. However, married students may not be enrolled at RCS.

We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including sex outside of marriage, adultery, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10).

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11).

We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28- 31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual or groups are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the beliefs of RCS.

RCS students, staff, and registered volunteers must refrain from premarital sexual activity, whether at home, school, or elsewhere. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Violations of this policy will be thoroughly investigated by the Head of School with recommended disciplinary action presented to, and approved by, the RCS Board. Every effort will be made to protect the privacy of the violator(s) as well as to make counseling services available, if appropriate.

The preceding Statements apply to all policies in the Ridgefield Christian community:

  • To preserve the function and integrity of RCS as part of the Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to RCS’s students, their families, and the community, all persons attending, or employed by, RCS in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, or who wish to use the school facilities, must agree to and abide by these Statements (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22).
  • Events held on the RCS campus or on behalf of RCS that pertain to marriage shall involve only marriage consistent with our Statement. 
  • All community representatives, staff, and registered volunteers are required to live by our written beliefs regarding human sexuality and marriage.
  • Members of the RCS community, including parents and students, regardless of profession of faith or personal belief, are prohibited from advocating for or speaking out in support of same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships, or views of sexual orientation contrary to our school statements. 

In all public settings, including social media and/or the internet, members of the RCS community, including parents and students, are expected and required to uphold our Statements and not challenge or undermine any stated belief or position in these Statements.

STATEMENT ON THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

God created human beings in His image and values each life as sacred and holy. Thus, every person, from conception to death, possesses inherent dignity and inestimable worth – including preborn infants, the elderly, those with special needs and others marginalized by society. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Ps 139).

History of Ridgefield

In 1992, a group of area pastors called the Jonesboro Evangelical Ministerial Fellowship held meetings at the Craighead County Library to explore the possibility of starting interdenominational Christian school. Based on the strong interest, plans were made to start a school in August 1993. The name “Ridgefield” was chosen due to Jonesboro’s location on Crowley’s Ridge and from John 4:35, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that are white for harvest.”

The first classes were held in August 1993 with 83 students in grades K-8 with plans to add a grade per year. Classes met at Nettleton Baptist Church. Charles Wilhite, former superintendent of the Jonesboro Public Schools, served the first year as the administrator without pay in order for RCS to get on its feet. He would later serve two more times as the interim administrator.  

In August 1994, enrollment reached 100 and classes were meeting at both Trinity Church and Nettleton Baptist Church. Both churches were very gracious to let RCS use their facilities, but it was that more room was needed. In August 1995, the school renovated the Plum Tree Center on the corner of Nettleton and Stone Street and began holding classes there. That year,  Fran Tomlinson, who had been a part of the founding faculty, became the administrator.

Enrollment continued to increase in 1996. First Assembly of God, which was right across the street from the school, graciously provided the second floor of their education building for classroom use. Secondary students met in this building for the next three years. There were no bells and no cubbies or lockers, just what everyone called “the crate room” in which everyone had a crate for their books. Spanish classes were taught by video. The elementary was continuing to grow and adding classes in the shopping center. That same year, Ridgefield hired Coach Tim Norman as a full-time PE teacher. Coach Norman became the founder of the sports program here at Ridgefield.

1995 through 1997 were very lean years for Ridgefield. Every payroll was sweated. Sometimes board members had to contribute from their own pockets to make payroll. But God was blessing, and Ridgefield was growing. 1997 saw the addition of the preschool program. Under the direction of Coach Norman an elementary basketball team was formed and Ridgefield joined the Memphis Association of Christian Schools (MACS) league.

Ridgefield’s first two seniors graduated in 1998. Even though the graduating classes were small over the next few years, Ridgefield was growing.

 As a result of a lot of praying and stepping out in faith within the Ridgefield family, plans were made to buy land and build the school’s own facilities. After a fundraising campaign, Ridgefield purchased land on Casey Springs Road and made plans to build. Casey Springs was partly gravel and Jonesboro mayor Hubert Brodell made the promise that “if you build it [the school], we will pave” the road. 

The school had a big picnic on the “Promised Land” when it was nothing but a big field where the buildings now stand. After the land was leveled and a building staked out, a prayer walk took place and people walked all over the area praying for the building that God would have for Ridgefield. 

God answered their prayers and in the fall of 2000, Ridgefield moved into the current elementary building with 175 students. Shortly after moving to the Casey Springs property, school leadership worked very hard and received accreditation with ANSAA in 2001. But after the first year in the new building, they realized they were already out of space. Very quickly plans were made to build a secondary wing. In January 2002, the  current high school wing was added to the growing campus.

 In 2004, the Warrior Gym was constructed. The bleachers were donated by Brookland High school. A group of parents volunteered to go disassemble the bleachers, clean them up, and reassemble them in the gym. This is just one small example of the hard work that RCS parents have contributed to this school. Ridgefield would not be what it is today with parents volunteering and the PACE organization.

In 2006, two additional classrooms were added with the acquisition of the portable building. It was also in 2006 that the 3-year-old preschool was added. The athletic program has grew by leaps and bounds from an elementary basketball team in the MACS league to membership in the Arkansas Athletics Association. Over the years, the Warriors have fielded teams in boys and girls basketball, golf, cheerleading, tennis, baseball, track, bowling, and trap

Along the way, RCS also added important programs such as Accelerated Reading, an excellent drama department, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, and the Interact Club. Ridgefield students have taken mission trips to Nashville, Tennessee, and Mexico as well as community projects here in Jonesboro.