Redlands Christian Schools Celebrate Growth, a Century of Christian Education

At the end of September, Redlands Christian Schools (RCS) celebrated a century of Christian education in Southern California with a weekend event. Just over 100 years ago, on September 12, 1921, RCS began meeting in a two-room schoolhouse about a mile from their current location. On their first official school day, 42 students attended. After merging with Arrowhead Christian Academy in 2013, RCS now has more than 1,300 students, including classes for preschool through 12th grade. 

As the school celebrated its centennial, they expressed gratitude to God for the growth. “Over the last couple of years, we have strengthened our academic programs… putting Redlands Christian among the top 50 Christian schools in the country,” said Head of Schools, Brian Bell. “Each of these events were designed for the family to again come together, celebrate all God has done over these last 100 years, and renew friendships.”

The celebrations included a ‘Dinner by the Decades’ and car show prior to the high school football game on Friday, a ladies’ Tea on Saturday followed by tours of a new school building, and the main event, a ‘Celebration Dinner’, on Saturday evening, with many activities. 

This mission statement of the school was brought into focus as the centennial came to an end. “The mission of Redlands Christian Schools is to provide Christ-centered excellence in education while partnering with the church and home to advance God’s kingdom.” Former RCS principal and pastor, Tim Spykstra, highlighted this mission as foundational, attributing the school’s growth to this Christ-centered focus.

What once was a two-room schoolhouse in Redlands, CA is now a thriving private school spanning across three campuses. The school is not only looking back, however, as they plan to continue to impact future generations of students.