Our Perspective

The Rock Valley Christian School is owned and operated by a society of believers for the purpose of providing elementary education which is directed by Scripture as interpreted by the Reformed confessions. This society is composed of parents, who have the primary responsibility for providing their children with a God-centered education, and all other members of the Christian community who are called to provide Christian nurture and instruction for covenant children. In sending their children to Rock Valley Christian School, parents entrust the education of their children to the Board which operates the school through an administrator and through teachers, all of whom are qualified to carry out their tasks in harmony with the purpose of the institution. Teachers and parents work together to further the Christian education of their children.

As a biblically Reformed Christian school, Rock Valley Christian School recognizes the centrality of the covenant* and the kingdom**. Children of believers are to be seen and lived by the teachers as members of God's covenant and as citizens of His kingdom. They are God's children in Christ and share in the calling of the believing community. As such, they are educated for discipleship, that is obedient covenantal service, putting all areas of life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In this covenant-kingdom activity, they are, together with all believers, co-workers, partners with Jesus Christ.

All believers must share a concern for the spiritual development of the child in the wholeness of his or her being as God's image bearer. However, it is the school's distinct responsibility to further this through the formal education of the child. The teacher, in conscious, prayerful covenantal fellowship with the Lord and the children, is to develop the skills of learning and lead the children into an understanding of all areas of God's creation. In carrying out this task, the teacher much always be alert for opportunities to cultivate a sense of Christian character and the high demands of the range of kingdom activity and to identify as well as promote the development of the God-given talents of the children. The teacher is to be an example of piety, to demonstrate a strong interest in the kingdom, and to create an atmosphere which encourages a desire on the part of the children to emulate the teacher.

All members of the Christian school community should encourage and require each other to demonstrate the character of faithful covenantal children who delight in and honor God's laws.

*Covenant = That gracious relationship between God and His people in Jesus Christ in which He binds  Himself to His people as their God and His people to HIm as His servants.

**Kingdom = Christ's rule over the whole of creation in which His followers work to put all under His rule.

We exist to praise and glorify God's name in all that we learn and do. RVCS is dedicated to helping each student grow and develop spiritually, academically, and socially.

You may have been hearing about the Common Core. As an accredited, non-public school in Iowa, RVCS is required to follow this curriculum.

What is it?

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is a set of standards developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) in 2010. The standards are intended to provide direction to schools in determining what students should know and be able to do at each level of the educational experience so each student will exit school with the necessary knowledge and skills for high school, college, career, and life. The Iowa Core includes the Common Core with some additional standards.

Does RVCS use the Common Core/Iowa Core?

When each curricular area is reviewed, a team of teachers and administration examines the Iowa Core to determine the desired level of alignment in that curricular area. As we create a curriculum that promotes the RVCS vision, mission, and values, we choose to use standards from the Core only if they reflect our desired rigor and do not conflict with our belief. Because we are independently accredited, we have the ability to add, delete, and modify the Core.

Here's our perspective in relation to the Common Core and why we feel it's a positive thing for our school if handled in what believe is the correct way:

• The curriculum is a set of standards, not a prescription for what teaching methods to use, what books to use, etc. We still teach from a Christian perspective, and we still decide how we want to teach and what materials to use.
• The curriculum helps us stay on track with national standards. We want to know how our students compare nationally, and we need a way to keep us accountable for what we do in the classroom. While we don't use the Common Core as the only method of accountability, it is a helpful tool.
• The curriculum helps us to organize what should be taught in which grade level so that we don't cover topics multiple times or leave concepts out. We feel that this has helped our school offer a more cohesive program related to what is taught when and by which grade level.
• One thing we focus on wholly at RVCS is teaching from a Reformed, Christian perspective. The Common Core then falls under that - not the other way around. 

To learn more about our perspective with the Common Core, check out the links below.

CSI Common Core Statement

Christian Schools and the Common Core

The vision for the curriculum, instruction, and assessments at Rock Valley Christian School is to ensure the success of all students by providing challenging content, effective instruction, and meaningful assessment in order to improve the achievement of all students, preparing them for High School and for the world of work, lifelong learning, and service to God.