Riverside Presbyterian Day School

RiveRside PResbyteRianday school

Jacksonville, FloRidahead oF school

July 2017www.rpds.com

the PositionJacksonville’s first private elementary school, Riverside Presbyterian Day School is a co-educational independent day school serving 476 students from PreK 3 through Grade 6. Characterized by high academic standards and a commitment to Christian education, RPDS stands out for its steadfast sense of purpose and identity.

Upon entering the school’s five-building campus in the historic Riverside district of Jacksonville, one senses immediately that RPDS is a joyful place—for students, teachers, and families alike. RPDS is the kind of school that knows itself—assured of its mission to provide young children with strong academic instruction as well as a solid foundation in Christian values. The RPDS faculty are exceptionally dedicated, and led by highly competent and beloved leadership. The school’s developmental approach to learning fosters an educational experience that is at once challenging and nurturing. RPDS graduates go on to study and thrive at competitive independent middle and secondary schools.

Riverside Presbyterian Day School is seeking a new Head of School, to begin July 2017. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for the right candidate. The school stands out not only for its well-earned reputation

for academic excellence, but also for its ongoing commitment to constant improvement. The next Head of School will have the opportunity to truly make a difference in a school community that cares deeply for—and works hard to safeguard—the current and future wellbeing of its students.

school histoRyIn 1948, shortly after the Supreme Court declared religious classes in public schools unconstitutional, Riverside Presbyterian Church, in agreement with that ruling, founded Jacksonville’s first private elementary school as an outreach ministry for those who wanted to include faith-based education in the classroom. The school’s founders sought to provide a strong academic education in concert with Christian values.

The school incorporated as a non-profit institution separate from the church in 1965. Administrators at the time took care to craft a mission statement that would preserve the school’s faith-based purpose as the school grew and evolved. Indeed, the school has maintained

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Mission

Educate the mind, nurture the spirit and foster the development of the whole child.

In achieving this mission Riverside Presbyterian Day School seeks to:

• Offer a balanced, challenging academic program which stimulates each child’s intellectual curiosity and the desire for lifelong learning;

• Affirm the teachings of the Christian faith, and nurture an awareness of God’s unconditional love for every child;

• Encourage the development of self-esteem and confidence by recognizing the unique potential and worth of each individual; and,

• Provide a school climate which promotes respect for the values of our democratic society and fosters concerned and responsible citizenship.


its commitment to instilling a devotion to God and Christian character in all its students.

Two years before becoming independent, RPDS earned accreditation from the State Department of Education as well as Florida Council of Independent Schools, of which it is a founding member. In 1981, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted accreditation to the school, a significant milestone in attaining then-headmistress Suzanne Tomlinson’s goal of “putting our school on the map as a recognized educational institution of quality.” Today, RPDS is a flagship institution within FCIS, looked to for educational leadership in Northeast Florida.

The school still shares facilities with Riverside Presbyterian Church and now occupies an adjacent campus. What began with one teacher and 19 students in a Sunday school classroom nearly 70 years ago has become a flourishing community of 49 faculty and nearly 476 students across nine grade levels.

the school The faculty and administration at RPDS wholeheartedly believe that a child’s experience in their early years of schooling lays the groundwork for future academic success, as well as his or her moral, emotional, and physical development. The early education and elementary programs at RPDS seek to preserve childhood, while providing a uniquely challenging and enriching learning experience that nurtures the whole student.

academics

The academic curriculum at RPDS is rooted in the belief that every child has the capacity to learn, and the school sets high academic standards for its students. The comprehensive curriculum at RPDS is developmental by design, so that every lesson and activity prepares students for what is to come. Teachers are assigned to one of four vertical teams that meet monthly to effectively implement strategic curricular goals and support an individualized approach to learning.

Faculty—who engage in an average of 60 hours of professional development in their field each year—are deeply knowledgeable in child development and apply the best practices from current pedagogical research in their classrooms. RPDS also has been a teaching site for Gifted Endorsement Coursework, and commits to differentiating instruction for children “growing up gifted” through a program called Teach for the Reach.

Kinesthetic learning is also highly valued at RPDS. All students take daily physical education classes. PreK and Kindergarten students spend 30 minutes a day in active play, while older students in Grades 1-6 engage in a diverse array of sports, noncompetitive activities, and movement for 45 minutes each day.

The aim is to deliver rigorous academics in a traditional Christian environment that also keeps pace with the contemporary needs and challenges of young students in the 21st century. Lower and upper school students attend Bible class once per week, and the school comes together for weekly chapel services as well.

Early Learning Center

The Early Learning Center, which encompasses PreK 3, PreK 4, and Kindergarten, is not merely a preschool, but a rich and varied developmental learning environment. ELC faculty understand that child development is not defined by chronological years. They also believe that it is never too early to start learning. PreK students begin to learn basic literacy through a highly tactile and engaging program called “Handwriting without Tears,” which introduces young learners to writing with a range of different mediums, from pencils to markers to iPads. This sets the stage for more formalized reading and literacy instruction in Kindergarten. The ELC curriculum also uses the Singapore Math approach to equip every student with the ability to conceptually understand numbers. The program is enriched through numerous resource classes in the arts, sciences, STEAM, and library taught by separate teachers.

Lower School

In the Lower School at RPDS, students acquire new content knowledge and the traits of self-discipline, intellectual curiosity, and work ethic that will enable their future success within a rich curriculum of self-contained classroom instruction and enriched resource classes taught by teachers specializing in their disciplines. Teachers integrate writing and technology skill building components into their academic units, to prepare lower school students for the demands of higher grades.

Students frequently work in small groups, where imagination is highly encouraged. Teachers in the Lower School often prompt students to communicate back new learning in creative modes—performing plays, giving presentations, or speaking publicly.

In addition to the core subjects of literacy, social studies, science, and math (again using the Singapore Math approach), lower school students take weekly enrichment classes in art, music, Spanish, and science lab. The music program integrates the Orff-Shulwerk, Kodaly, and Dalcroze philosophies to unlock children’s inner sense for rhythm, movement, and melody, and is tightly interwoven with drama. Art classes prompt students to create in a range of mediums, building independent and innovative thinking.


PhilosoPhy

Riverside Presbyterian Day School provides students with a carefully planned academic program within a supportive environment where respect for the individual, community, and Christian values are promoted. Riverside recognizes that each child is an individual and gears teaching strategies to ensure that children will experience success at their level of learning. Students are challenged to rise to higher goals and achievement through the use of curriculum that addresses a variety of learning styles and exposes children to rich literature, problem solving situations, and cooperative learning strategies.

Different levels of academic ability, social development, and learning styles are respected and used to design and implement curriculum. A comprehensive curriculum guide built around a challenging academic program includes subject matter in the academic areas, the arts, physical education, guidance, Bible instruction, and technology. The curriculum inspires children to become life-long learners and equips them with the skills necessary to adapt to an ever-changing world.


Students also build cross-disciplinary, critical thinking skills at the new STEAM “Imagination Station,” a full maker-space environment. Carefully crafted, individualized activities prompt students to seek authentic solutions to practical, real-world problems, and experience the joy of reaching a unique and meaningful discovery.

Upper School

The developmental approach applied throughout the RPDS curriculum peaks in the upper school grades (4-6), as students solidify the foundational knowledge, study skills, and character qualities they will need to excel in middle school. Subject-area teachers teach the core classes—literature, mathematics, social studies, and science—so students learn to travel between classrooms. This helps to prepare them for the autonomy of middle school scheduling. Students are regularly exposed to technology through online textbooks and frequent use of the school’s Mac Lab for research and project work. There is a 1-to-1 iPad program in Grades 4-6, and sixth graders can opt to take Mandarin Chinese as an alternative to Spanish.

Service learning is a large component of the upper school curriculum as well. This culminates in the sixth grade, when students rotate between leadership roles as chapel guides, kindergarten aides, library assistants, and safety patrols. The entire sixth-grade class also takes on a community service project that spans the full school year in a program called Project Leads. The goal is to instill in students the value and importance of serving others in the way of Christ.

student liFe

Beyond the academic and enrichment programs, students also have the opportunity to diversify their learning in an extension to their academic school day—Riverside in the Afternoon, or RITA. Choosing between thirty different “afternoon academies,” children have the opportunity to explore a wide range of new activities at RITA. This fun environment encourages children to take risks and build confidence as well as develop new strengths outside the classroom. Physical wellness is another central component of the RPDS experience—not only for students, but for families as well. In 2010, RPDS completed a capital campaign to raise $500,000 toward the construction of the Rice


Sports Zone. RPDS launched Fit-4-Life, a wellness program that fosters holistic, healthy lifestyles across the entire school community. Going beyond traditional athletic programs, Fit-4-Life engages whole families in “Family Fit Days”, as well as a range of fitness challenges and activities throughout the school year. The program aims to teach children that physical wellbeing is critical in the lives of every person, at every age. By educating young people in nutrition and personal goal setting alongside physical education, the Fit-4-Life program ensures that RPDS graduates carry with them the knowledge and aptitude to live long, healthy lives.

Jacksonville, FloRidaJacksonville is located at the northern end of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, often referred to as the First Coast. Initially settled in the 1500s by French settlers, the Jacksonville of today is a thriving seaport city. Two Naval bases are located within city limits, and the port is an active point of entry for much of the nation’s coffee and automobile imports. While its proximity to the Atlantic has had a great influence, Jacksonville’s economy is quite diverse. Many notable finance and healthcare companies have headquarters in Jacksonville (including the Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus), and the tourism and logistics sectors generate significant revenue as well.

Jacksonville proper is home to over 800,000 people, of whom the average age is 35. The quality of life is high, while cost of living is low. Like most of Florida, the weather is subtropical, with very mild winters. The city’s urban park system is the largest in the United States, with 337 public green spaces across the city, many of which provide visitors access to water sports like sailing, boating, surfing, swimming, and waterskiing. The Riverwalk and Jacksonville Landing offer beautiful river views for shoppers, diners, and tourists.

RPDS is located in Riverside, one of the city’s four historic districts. As its name implies, the neighborhood is situated on the banks of the St. John’s River, and the RPDS campus is just two blocks away from the water. Riverside features unique architecture as well as two beautiful parks—Memorial Park and Riverside Park—that account for nearly 20 combined acres. Though mostly residential, Riverside has a few commercial developments, the most notable of which is the historic Five Points district. Five Points—of which RPDS is an integral part—has an eclectic, bohemian character, attracting visitors to its independent shops and restaurants. A movie cinema occupies the building that was once Florida’s first theater for “talking pictures”.

oPPoRtunities and challenges The next Head of Riverside Presbyterian Day School will take leadership of a thriving educational community. Students are well served by extraordinarily committed and talented teachers. This is a school that is very clear about its place and purpose: within the Christian tradition, they seek to deliver an excellent academic program while nurturing good character and preserving childhood. As well, RPDS stands out for its commitment to constant improvement; this is not a school resting on its laurels. RPDS is a happy place – for students, for teachers and for parents. In short, the opportunities for the new Head are outstanding.

As is the case for most Heads of independent schools across the country, the next head of RPDS will focus on maintaining sustainable enrollment in a competitive market. As well, Riverside’s philanthropic culture can be better developed, and thus there will be the necessity to build more robust fundraising. The physical plant is excellent, but there is need for some modernization and improvement, such as an indoor athletic space. The Board of Trustees has made a commitment to greater diversity, and efforts to diversify the faculty and the student body will be an ongoing focus. Finally, as is the case in all schools that share an historic link with a church, the next Head will have to nurture that relationship by working closely with the church staff and Session.

Qualities and QualiFications oF the next head oF schoolRiverside Presbyterian Day School seeks a broadly experienced educator of great integrity to be its next Head of School. The next Head must be a person who will enthusiastically embrace the culture and feel of RPDS and support them in actions as well as words. As well, the next Head must be an active Christian who has a calming and patient presence. Strong candidates will bring many of the qualifications and characteristics listed below:• An advanced degree• Independent school leadership experience• Substantial classroom teaching experience• Respect for traditions alongside a commitment to ongoing improvement• Commitment to staying abreast of best practices in the field of education• Superb communication skills and an adept negotiator• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity• Willing (and ideally experienced) fundraiser• Possesses genuine passion for children and early education• High energy and a sense of humor• A calming, patient demeanor• An engaged, active listener who is willing, when necessary, to make difficult decisions• Empathetic and supportive leader whose default is to work collaboratively with others• A confident delegator who empowers others



to aPPlyInterested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one e-mail and as separate documents, preferably as PDFs, the following materials:

• Cover letter expressing your fit with the values and needs of the Riverside Presbyterian Day School• Current résumé• Statement of educational philosophy and practice • List of five references with name, phone number, and email address of each to:

PeteR PhiliP

[email protected] Search Consultant

caRney, sandoe & associates

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Riverside Presbyterian Day School

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