We are completing another semester at Richmond Academy. Time has not slowed down as we have kept up with the hunger for knowledge of our students. We have been busy educating and count this semester successful as we see the progress our students and faculty have made.
Our school motto is “Let Truth Prevail.” We believe that truth is a vital part of education. It is truth that validates academics to students. In every subject, we strive to prove that what we teach is true and if there is any question, we study until we find it. (2 Tim 2:15 KJV)
On December 2, 2004, our motto was endorsed and is now protected as we have received freeway accreditation from the State of Indiana. It is important to note this as a miracle. It is very rare for a school to prove themselves in such a short period of time. We are only the eighth Pre-K through 12th grade school in Indiana to receive this special accreditation.
Richmond Academy has received the favor of God and the favor of the State. This favor gives families the approval they need as we continue diligently to achieve excellence in education.
-Dr. S. Chad Ross
"Please be advised that Richmond Academy was accorded freeway school status... by the Indiana State Board of Education... Therefore, Richmond Academy is considered accredited. A non-public school that is designated a freeway school is accredited by virtue of the freeway school status. This accreditation stands... and carries all the same rights and privileges of a school accredited under the standard accreditation system." - Division of School Accreditation, Indiana Department of Education
The Lord truly is making provision for us and keeping us on the cutting edge of success. There are many advantages to receiving accreditation. Perhaps the most important aspect of this process is that you can expect to receive the same Christian private quality education and professional atmosphere to be endorsed and protected.
An important job of educators is teaching critical thinking skills.
When secular educationists talk about teaching students to think, they usually mean teaching them to become skeptics, agnostics, and humanists. To this end, the secularists promote values-clarification techniques and the use of open-ended questions. When they pretend to teach students how to think using these methods, they are saying, in effect, “Break loose from authoritative teachings and think for yourself. Come up with your own meaning.” But without some fixed principles, these students cannot think; they are at the mercy of the liberals and soon accept their ideas. Thus, the liberals are actually teaching students what to think instead of how to think.
We teach students to think by giving them something to think about.
Learning to think is a byproduct of learning subject matter. One cannot think in a vacuum; one cannot learn concepts without content. How can one generalize from particulars with out having the particulars to generalize from? We teach universal truths and help our students store their minds with useful, interesting, important facts and ideas. With this foundation, the students are able to learn how to think. We present the material in a sensible way so that the students can compare ideas as they come before their minds, see the relationships of those ideas, and systematize them. For example, in presenting history we teach chronology and geography so that the students can make connections between old and new, past and present, far and near, and gain insight into the influence of these, the one on the other.
Teaching subject matter is anathema to the liberal, of course, because he denies the existence of truth. Christians should be wary of whom they follow. Truth exists, and we need to teach it. At best, the taboo against teaching facts is laziness; at worst it is agnosticism. Students need to be taught the accumulated wisdom of the past from God’s point of view and trained in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6) so that they will have a firm foundation from which to evaluate the present and make proper decisions for the future.
We are in need of the following goods:
Projector cart
Small Refrigerator
Health teaching aids
We are in need of the following services:
Substitute Teachers
Public Relations
Grant Writer
If you can help in any way, please contact the main office.
Do you have a gift or talent that you would like to share with the children? Please contact us about that as well. We are always looking for volunteers to enhance our academic programs.
Richmond Academy continues to strive to be at the cutting edge of expectations from academic standards to parent communication. With this, comes an exciting new benefit of being a member family of Richmond Academy.
Recently, a new homework and grades section was launched on our website. You may view this section by clicking PARENTS, and then HOMEWORK or GRADES. Homework is available for public viewing by selecting the lower school grade or the upper school department. Grades are available for private viewing by selecting the lower school grade and subject or the upper school subject. Information for login is found on student ID cards to be issued after winter break.
Homework and grades will be updated weekly and will aid parents in knowing precisely what is being studied in class and how the student is performing.
We continue to work hard to give your family the best educational experience possible. God bless.
As Published in the Palladium-Item on Thursday, December 2, 2004:
There are three main types of schooling: public, Christian and home schooling. This year, I have the privilege of attending Richmond Academy, a Christian school. Richmond Academy offers spiritual, academic and social advantages.
The spiritual advantage is that the word of God is taught in school. Every morning we have a Bible doctrines class. We also pray and sing praises every day. The influence of God is in our other subjects as well. Even history is taught with the Christian perspective, something that will never happen in public schools. Health and chemistry quote scripture, which is also rather astonishing.
Another advantage is the academia. When one understands a topic, he should be allowed to continue at his own pace. At Richmond Academy, that is basically how it works. We don't take a week to learn a topic, unlike public schools. It is also much easier to learn in most classes, because of the absence of loudmouths, who continuously believe that the teacher would like to hear their voices at 100 decibels or more. Also, the teachers can work with us one-on-one rather than one-on-21.
Having only seven kids in the high school with the rate gradually growing, Richmond Academy has few social problems. Who wants to be made fun of because of their excess, or lack, of intelligence? Here, there isn't intellectual discrimination. One is just taught according to his ability, no questions asked. It is also easier to make friends because time is spent with everyone.
Although other advantages may be present in the other two types of schooling, Richmond Academy, in my opinion, is the best and most appropriate way of schooling. With godly influence, high academic achievements and social friendliness, Richmond Academy is an excellent establishment, and I am proud to have the privilege of attending.
Patrick O'Neal, Richmond