Admissions

Hello! Welcome to Redwood Christian Schools (RCS). My name is Dr. Al Hearne II, and I am the Superintendent.  I want to commend you for taking the time to research a Christ-centered education for your child(ren).  Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with questions.  We are here to help you as you decide which school is going to be influencing your child(ren).

RCS loves children and wants to see them reach their full potential. We are committed to being excellent educators, spiritual mentors, and responsible stewards. Furthermore, RCS has a rich history of providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the future. We believe children should blossom as unique individuals created in the image of God as they discover their calling.

We seek to be in partnership with parents and their church in developing well-prepared children with the character and vision to meet their world with confidence. We invite you to call our District Office (510-889-7526) for more information, including a personal tour of our campuses and classrooms.

Redwood Christian Schools (RCS) is thankful for God’s continuing presence and provision. We are excited to begin our 51st year of providing a Christ-centered education which is able to equip students for daily living and eternal life.

Our theme verse for this year is Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” This verse was selected as our theme verse in the summer of 2019, seven months before any of us had heard of COVID-19. Along with Ephesians 2:10, we selected the theme “God’s Purpose” for the 2020-21 school year.

Nothing that has happened in our individual lives or the life of RCS since March 2020 has surprised God. As we plan to transfer back to campus and start school on August 17, I am convinced that God has a plan and a purpose for our school—a plan that was “prepared in advance for us to do.” There are so many facets of “good works” we can implement. They include every command in Scripture and encompass every detail for students returning to campus. Good works may include, but are in no way limited to: daily temperature checks, social distancing, appropriately wearing face coverings, deep cleaning and disinfecting of all rooms, limiting the number of visitors on campus, and/or minimizing movement on campus.

One of the “good works” that God has set before us is the “Rebuilding of RCS.” RCS as we knew it from our first 49.75 years is going to be different this year. At this time, there is no way to return to the “normal” school we have all known and loved. The modality of education that RCS provides to fulfill our mission is going to change, while we do our best to ensure that what makes the Christ-centered education RCS provides uniquely Christian remains the same. In a sense we are like Nehemiah. Just as Nehemiah was called to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in order to provide safety and security to the residents of the city, everyone at RCS is called to metaphorically “rebuild” our campuses in an effort to minimize, as much as possible, the risk of COVID-19 infection for students, staff, faculty, and administration.

The “Rebuilding RCS” plan has four major goals: 1) to provide excellent on-campus education (following the guidance and regulations for reopening schools); 2) to provide an excellent online option for families who are concerned about their child(ren) returning to campus at this time; 3) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure for students, staff, faculty, and administration; 4) to remain agile and nimble, ready to pivot, adapting and adjusting based upon changing circumstances to ensure that we are offering the best education possible.

Over 50 years ago, the vision of RCS was championed by Pastor Sherman Williams of Redwood Chapel Community Church.  Pastor Williams dreamed of a non-denominational, independent Christian school in the East Bay drawing students from the surrounding churches.  In the fall of 1970, Pastor Williams’ dream was realized when RCS opened its doors with 67 students enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade.  Today, Pastor Williams’ vision continues to thrive.  The school provides a Christ-centered education to more than 700 students representing 92 surrounding churches and 24 denominations!

In Christ,

Al Hearne II, PhD