Frequently Asked Questions

How does your school differ from other private schools?

As a Classical School, we differ in our structure and curriculum – in both methods and content – as we seek to give children the tools for learning. As a Christian School, we teach all subjects from a Biblical perspective, integrating a Christian world and life view, rather than merely teaching Bible as a separate subject. For more information on what makes Classical Christian Education so special, please refer to the "What is Classical Christian Education" tab under "About RCCS" on this website.  

What is a Christian world and life view?

The Bible is truth. Therefore, we teach everything as being derived from Scripture. As mentioned above, Bible is not taught as a separate subject; rather, we seek to enable children to look at the world through the eyes of God. Please refer to the "What is worldview?"tab under "About RCCS" on this website.

Is Redeemer only open to Christian Families?

Absolutely not.  While we are a Christian school and we do teach children from a strong Christian and bibilical perspective, we do not require the parents of our students to be Christians.  We simply ask that they understand and support our curriculum and Statement of Faith.

Are you licensed or accredited by any organization?

Redeemer Classical Christian School is registered with the State as a church-exempt school.  We are members of the Association of Classical Christian Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. We are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Is your program accelerated?

It is important not to confuse acceleration with excellence. Pushing children to levels of academic achievement which are developmentally inappropriate can have deleterious effects. Excellence is defined as developmentally appropriate education which challenges students at their level and which results in a delight in learning, a sense of confidence, and an awareness of truth from God’s perspective. By virtue of its definition, the schools which follow the classical model are more academically arduous than other schools, although the methods used facilitate learning in a way that makes it seem less difficult, and children typically tend to excel academically.

What about the Common Core?

There is much in the news about the Common Core Standards.  Redeemer Classical Christian School is registered with the state of Maryland as a church-exempt school and therefore, we are not required to comply with Common Core.  As an independent school, we are exempt from the mandates of our local or federal government. In an effort to protect the privacy and rights of our students and families and to maintain the freedom to set our curriculum standards, we do not accept any state or federal funding.  We are under the authority of our Board of Directors and ultimately the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, our academics far surpass current state requirements for graduation.  Our curriculum is rigorous, yet developmentally appropriate, based on the time-tested, proven classical model of education. For more information on how a Classical Christian education compares to the Common Core standards, please visit our Redeemer Classical Christian School vs. Common Core comparison tab under "Academics."

Why do you have uniforms?

Our uniform policy serves several purposes. It develops a sense of community among the student body and enables children to focus more on studies, not judge people by external means, and is more economical. Studies have shown that parents spend less money, and children do better academically, when a uniform policy is adopted.

What are your long-term building plans?

Two interim modular structures will accommodate our needs for the next three to five years. Following that, we hope to build on 17.5 acres of the Beachmont Farm property, which has been designated for Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Classical Christian School.

Why learn Latin?

The teaching of Latin is integral to classical education. Here are several reasons: It is estimated that between 60% and 75% of the English language is derived from Latin roots. Learning Latin helps in vocabulary building and the decoding, understanding, and formulation of words. Hence, students who have had Latin do better in English. The analysis and mastery of a second language greatly refines an understanding of grammar and syntax, which carries over into English. Mastery of Latin enhances one's ability to learn the Romance languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian, and Portuguese. It is also helpful in learning other inflected languages such as Greek, Russian, and German.

What are the qualifications of your teachers?

Our primary qualifications for teachers include a love for God, a gift for teaching children, and a passion for their subject areas. All of our full-time teachers have Bachelor’s Degrees, with many of our teaching staff possessing Master’s degrees.

Since the school is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America, will you teach my child Presbyterian doctrine?

The school is a non-denominational school and holds to the general confessional standards of the Presbyterian Church in America (See “Statement of Faith”). We do not teach any specific doctrines other than these. Because our families come from a variety of denominational perspectives and our founding documents state that we assist parents in the education of their children, we direct them to their parents and their pastor on matters regarding secular doctrines. What types of sports programs and extracurricular activities are available? The Board and Administration recognize the importance of rounding out a student’s academic program with sports, the arts, and social activities. The school is a member of the Maryland Independent Athletic Conference (MIAC), enabling us to participate in interscholastic sports for boys’ and girls’ soccer, basketball, cross country, and girls’ volleyball. Two choirs meet weekly, for grades 4-6 and grades 7 and above. We also have a student run yearbook, opportunities to participate in school drama productions, and a Student Government Association.

What is the nature of your discipline policy?

Our discipline policy is based on the philosophy that God has given parents the responsibility for raising and educating their children. In light of this, we put a high priority on communicating concerns to parents, and working together with them to address concerns. An incentive chart is used with younger children, and a demerit/detention system with our older students to help them develop in the area of responsibility. The focus of the discipline policy is to maintain an orderly, respectful atmosphere that facilitates learning. We encourage a relationship between teachers and students based on grace and mutual respect.

What are Redeemer's school hours?

Our PreK 3 & 4 programs meet 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  An Extended Day option, which includes lunch time, quiet/nap time, supervised play time and enrichment activities in music, science and art is available from 11:30 a.m.- 3:05 p.m. and is billed seperately. Our Kindergarten class meets from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. An Extended Day option is available from 11:30 a.m. - 3:05 p.m. and is billed seperately.  Our Extended Day program includes lunch time, quiet/nap time, enrichment activities:  music, science, art and supervised play time.  Our normal school day for all other grades (1st-12th) meets from 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.  Students may be dropped off between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m.  Before Care is available from 7:15 to 8:10 a.m. and After Care is available from 3:05 to 5:45 p.m.; both are billed seperately at a reasonable rate. For any student remaining on campus after 3:05 p.m., we offer a supervised After Care option through 5:45 p.m.  All unsupervised students through the 8th grade, remaining on campus after 3:05 p.m., are required to be enrolled in the After Care program.

To whom is the school accountable?

The school’s classical standards are in line with the Association of Classical and Christian School’s standards for full membership. Currently, we are a member of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools. We hold accreditation with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Are you tax exempt? Since the school is incorporated separately from the church, the school has a 501(c)(3) status exemption with the Internal Revenue Service.

What is your parent support policy?

Taking into consideration our philosophy that parents are responsible before God for the upbringing of their children, RCCS is a parent supported school. Each family is required to serve 9 hours each quarter to support the teachers and the school’s programs. We seek to utilize the individual gifts and talents that families have to offer. RCCS also has a Parent Teacher Fellowship committee that serves the school community. There is also parent representation on the School Board.

How is the school funded?

RCCS is supported solely by donations and tuition. There are several ways contributions may be given which include: trusts, gifts, annuities, endowments, bequests, tithes, scholarship and general donations. All gifts to RCCS are tax deductible.