Thank you for seeking more information about Rapid City Christian School’s Vision 2030 Capital Campaign! God has blessed this school immeasurably since several families followed His lead to start a Christian high school in 1981. Our mission is much the same as it was 43 years ago – to equip children of Christian families with a sound liberal arts education framed within a biblical understanding of God and His creation, and to help nurture them in an active commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In today’s culture, families are searching for a school that reflects their values, teaches biblical truth, offers challenging coursework, and provides a safe, secure, loving environment. We want to continue to partner with families who desire Christian education for their children, but we are FULL!
As the school has grown, so have the needs. Below you will find a list of projects that are included in the ambitious campaign goal. The first priority is to finish the kitchen, add Chapel seating, and build a middle school. Although we have identified an order of needs, donors are always welcome to give to the area that most aligns with their passion for Christian education and RC Christian School.
Expansion ($8M)
Middle School, Kitchen, Chapel seating, Improved Parking
God has provided an amazing facility at our Hart Ranch campus, but we have exceeded the capacity of our building with 400+ students enrolled this year. As it is, we are using science labs as classrooms and the Chapel and cafeteria areas for study halls. Additionally, we are temporarily holding classes in a well-used annex. Our classrooms are designed for a maximum of 17 students in middle school classrooms and 20 in high school to ensure optimum student-teacher ratio.
Our flourishing music program also needs expanded space for larger bands/choirs, more instruments/risers, storage for marching band uniforms, and a music library.
The Board of Directors and staff have determined that our growing enrollment will be better served if we can establish separate spaces for middle and high school students. The initial plan is to build a separate but attached middle school with a music suite.
When the gym addition was completed in 2022, an unfinished space was left for a future kitchen. For many years, we have hired a caterer to deliver meals so that students have access to a hot lunch. This campaign will allow us to complete the kitchen and offer more diverse and nutritious meals as well as provide a space to teach culinary arts classes.
The combination of increased enrollment and growth in our music and drama programs has led to larger audiences at events which require more seating. We have a beautiful Chapel which will only be enhanced by installing tiered seating so that more attendees may see, hear, and enjoy the concerts and plays.
Additional students and staff mean more vehicles in the parking lot! The proposed middle school site will take up much of the existing east graveled lot. The goal is to expand and pave/stripe the parking area. This will improve efficiency of space and also provide a firm foundation in all kinds of weather.
Foundation ($5M)
Rapid City Christian School has recently established a foundation that will continue to benefit the school for decades to come. Endowed funds and assets will be administered by its board of directors. This foundation will provide an avenue for donors to contribute resources that will perpetually support the school.
One of the ways the foundation funds will be used is to provide benefits for our staff. We have long desired to provide insurance for those who have committed their time and talents to teaching students from a biblical worldview at RCCS.
Debt Elimination ($1M)
RC Christian purchased the Hart Ranch Arena in 2003 and began the massive remodel in 2007. Generous donors provided the majority of the cost to transform the building. In order to finish each of the many phases, some debt was incurred for a total of just over $1M on a property that has most recently been assessed by the county near $11.5M. With this capital campaign, the debt will be eliminated.
Tuition Fund ($1M)
The Tuition Assistance Scholarship (TAS) has been critical for families who need financial aid in order to offer their students a Christian education. We also offer tuition discounts to our staff, pastors, missionaries, full-time ministry leaders, and Christian school teachers. Last year we awarded over $350,000 in tuition assistance/discount. Our desire is to create a scholarship endowment fund that will provide sustainable financial support to families.
If you would like to talk to someone or would like to request a meeting with someone from the Capital Campaign Committee to learn more details about the needs and plans, please don’t hesitate to call Julie Hewitt at the school, 605-341-3377. We LOVE to talk about all that God is doing at Rapid City Christian School and would welcome your partnership!