Riverside Christian School

Riverside Christian School was founded in 1973. It is a private school for children from preschool to 12th grade in Yakima, Washington. The school teaches Christian values to its students.

The school is part of two groups that help Christian schools. It is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools. These groups support schools that want to teach in a Christian way.

History

Riverside Christian School started in 1973 as part of West Side Baptist Church, led by Rev. Hal Campbell and Principal Richard D. Lyon. It began with 35 students and has grown to about 380. In 2007, the school became fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Northwest Accreditation Commission.

For the first seven years, the school used the church building at 3414 Tieton Drive. Later, it moved to a new building at 6901 Summitview Avenue, where the church is still located today. The school kept the original colors and mascot from its early days.

Student life

Riverside Christian Elementary School has many special traditions each year. Every grade level gets to go on a unique field trip or have a special activity. There are also many other field trips that help students learn more about what they are studying.

Other traditions include doing community service projects, having special chapel services for Thanksgiving and Easter, putting on two big musical or drama shows each year, a Festival of Fine Arts, weekly chapel services, parties to celebrate the end of each semester, trips for junior-high and senior-high students, an East Coast tour for 8th graders, and homecoming events including a prom and senior trip. The older students (grades 7-12) start each school year with a two-night retreat to build friendships and focus on their faith.

Elementary special features and programs

Riverside Christian School offers many fun and educational activities for younger students. Students in Pre-K through 3rd grade enjoy Christmas performances, while those in 4th to 6th grade take part in a Spring Play and Concert. Every week, students have art, library, physical education, and music classes.

The school also holds a Festival of the Fine Arts for 4th to 6th graders and organizes mission projects and community outreach events. All grade levels go on field trips, and students in 3rd to 6th grade focus on learning computer keyboard skills. There are also weekly Bible memorization sessions and chapel services for everyone.

Junior high special features and programs

Riverside Christian School offers many special activities for junior high students. These include a 3-Day Spiritual Emphasis Retreat in early September, discipline-based art education, and quarterly mission projects to help the community. Students also have weekly discipleship sessions with high school students, access to a state-of-the-art computer lab, and an accelerated math track.

Other features include weekly Bible memorization, an 8th grade tour of the East Coast, a student council, and competitive athletics.

High school special features and programs

Riverside Christian School offers many special activities and classes for high school students. These include a retreat focused on faith, advanced courses, music and art classes, drama performances, learning foreign languages, and community service projects. Students can also join clubs, sports teams, and academic competitions.

The school has three special events each year: homecoming, toro, and prom. The Junior class plans the prom, which includes fun activities and meals. Prom traditions include "Senior Wills," where seniors make funny videos about their future careers, and sometimes a cruise prom happens every four years.