Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question that we have not answered? You can email us at office@riverchristianacademy.com
What is our doctrine?
We are basing biblical studies on the commonly shared beliefs of the Christian faith. We respect that all students who attend our school come from different backgrounds, and we ask that teachers not discuss controversial subjects or denominational beliefs. We feel these questions need to be answered by their parents and/or Pastor. The Lead Pastors instruct our teachers to stay within “non-controversial subjects.” We have experienced many children who attend Christian schools who are more confused after a Bible class due to a lack of direction from their leadership. Our Chancellor and Lead Pastors will approve all chapel and Bible Classes beforehand and teachers are asked to respect the views of all evangelical denominations and beliefs.
Will RCA be transparent with amounts raised by fundraisers and grants?
Yes, we will post the amounts we have raised for fundraisers or grants received along with the items that were purchased to improve the school.
Are there shareholders that determine decisions?
No, we do not have investors or shareholders in our school. RCA is an extension of The River, which is a non-profit organization.
Is RCA held accountable by an actual board and not an individual?
Yes, we believe in accountability, and scripture supports it. Our leadership and presiding bodies are The River at Smyrna Elder Board, The River Christian Academy School Board, our Chancellor, and our Lead Pastors. We report to the Association of Christian Schools International, the State Fire Marshall for safety, and the Tennessee State Board of Education. We have partnered with Cognia for accreditation, which will also hold RCA accountable.
Are there plans to build a school?
Yes, we are projected to break ground in 2026.
Is there a uniform policy?
Yes, starting this year we have a uniformed dress code that students will follow.
Will there be a lot of required after-school hours events, etc.?
Absolutely not. We believe in family time – for our families and our teachers.
The students need to spend time with their families and vice versa, and our teachers need to balance family life and school life. If our teachers are overworked then it will affect how they operate in the classroom and in their family life.
Our culture pushes us busy to the point where we have created an unhealthy place for our children to live in.
None or very few changes will be made to the calendar once it is distributed.
Let’s push for healthy teachers and healthy families!
How many days do we attend school?
It is required by law that students are in the classroom learning for 180 days (6.5 hours/day). Our calendar is posted on the website.
What Christian School membership is River Christian Academy under?
River Christian Academy is part of the ACSI, Association of Christian Schools International, which is part of the requirements to be a non-public, church-related school in the state of Tennessee.
What is a non-public school?
In Tennessee, non-public schools include private, church-related, and independent home schools. Unlike public schools, the state’s approved non-public schools are not operated by a local education agency (LEA) or the Tennessee Department of Education (department). Instead, they are privately operated entities, primarily funded through school tuition paid by families and private donations from individuals and organizations.
What is a non-public, church-related school?
Church-related schools are operated by denominational, parochial, or other bona fide church organizations required to meet the standards of accreditation or membership of specific agencies listed in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-50-801.
Where are we in the accreditation process?
We are in the midst of the accreditation process with Cognia.
What about my child's credits if you are not accredited yet?
As parents this was one of our first questions.
From our ASCI Team, “Accreditation is not related to student course work. You establish the curriculum and give the students credit as they complete the subjects based on the state’s standards. Accreditation gives the school credibility and accountability, and it appears on their high school transcripts if the school is accredited under a state-approved accreditation. Some colleges look at that, but they mainly look at the SAT and ACT test scores.”
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Join us on a journey of academic excellence and spiritual growth at River Christian Academy. Enrollment is now open for students of all ages. Discover the difference a faith-based education can make in your child’s life.