At our kindergarten graduation this past spring, I found myself holding back tears. A group of five- and six-year-olds stood on the platform, singing truth with such confidence and clarity — full of hope, full of promise:

“The Lord bless you and keep you,
Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you…”
“May His favor be upon you and a thousand generations…”

And then came the part that brought the room to stillness:

“May His presence go before you,
And behind you, and beside you,
All around you, and within you,
He is with you, He is with you.
In the morning, in the evening,
In your coming and your going,
In your weeping and rejoicing—
He is for you, He is for you…”

There was something holy about that moment. Something real. You could feel the emotion in the room—parents overwhelmed, teachers quietly smiling through tears, and about 80 little voices declaring the promises of God over their lives and futures.

And I thought to myself:
How incredibly special it is to be a part of this place.

Because that’s what we want at Rosedale—not just great academics or successful programs, but students who know the love of God personally. Students who are confident that He is with them in the morning, in the evening, in their coming and going. Students who will grow into adults who love Jesus and live out His purpose for their lives.

That moment stirred something deep in me:
How do we keep this at the center of all we do?

I have spent time praying and thinking over this question. And through deep reflection, I’ve come to what I believe is the answer: we must be intentional about our culture. I believe that begins with living out core values that support and strengthen our mission.

These values help us carry out the God-given mission we believe has an eternal impact. They’re already present in many ways—but now, we are naming them clearly so they can guide every hallway interaction, every classroom decision, every event, and every relationship.

Our Mission

Rosedale Christian Academy exists to reach students for Christ, cultivate character in them, and help them achieve academic excellence.

Our Vision

At Rosedale Christian Academy, we envision a Christ-centered community where students, families, and staff are united in nurturing spiritual growth, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility. Through innovative teaching practices and collaborative partnerships, our dedicated staff model Christian character and inspire students to achieve academic excellence.

Our Core Values

Faith First

We start with Christ—and we stay rooted in Him. Faith isn’t something we tack on to say we are a Christian school; it’s the foundation of everything we do at Rosedale. From the classroom to the lunchroom, from staff meetings to student conversations, we want Jesus to be at the center.

We believe in the power of the Gospel to change lives. That’s why we pray openly, teach truth boldly, and point students to Christ daily. We know that what students learn matters, but who they’re becoming in Christ matters most.

We want our school to be a place where faith is real—where even our math lessons and history discussions teach our students who God is, how loved they are by Him, and that they were created with a purpose for Him.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”
— Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Character Always

We model Christlike behavior and integrity in every setting—whether anyone is watching or not. We want our classrooms and hallways to be places where empathy is practiced, forgiveness is given, and honesty is expected.

We remind our students that who they are when no one is looking is just as important as how they perform. In the long run, character will take them further than any talent, grade, or achievement ever could.

We’re not just trying to raise students who do right because someone is watching—we want to help shape students who want to do right because their hearts are being formed to reflect Christ.

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”
— Proverbs 20:7 (KJV)

Excellence Matters

We give our best because God deserves nothing less. Excellence isn’t about perfection or performance—it’s about purpose. When we prepare thoroughly, manage our time wisely, and stay focused on the task before us, we reflect a heart that wants to honor the Lord in all things.

All that we do—no matter how big or small—should be done as an act of worship. From picking up trash in the hallway to preparing for a test, from practicing on the stage to competing on the court—we strive for excellence not to impress others or elevate ourselves, but because it is for Him.

We want our students and staff to understand that doing their best is not about comparison—it’s about stewardship. God has given us gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities, and our response should be faithful, joyful diligence.

“Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…”
— Colossians 3:23 (KJV)

Leadership Through Service

We influence by humbling ourselves and serving others. Leadership at Rosedale isn’t about position—it’s about posture. We lead relationally, engage personally, and know our students by name and story.

We believe we are developing future leaders every day in our classrooms—leaders who will influence their families, churches, workplaces, and communities. But leadership that reflects Christ doesn’t start with power or recognition; it begins with servanthood.

The greatest leader the world has ever known washed the feet of His followers. At Rosedale, we want to model that same humility—whether we’re teachers, coaches, administrators, or students. We invest in others personally and spiritually, knowing that lasting influence comes from lifting others up.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus… who made himself of no reputation… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
— Philippians 2:5–8 (KJV)

Kindness Connects

We want to be known as a community marked by grace and empathy. We champion our students’ potential, advocate for their growth, and make every decision with their best interest in mind.

We are FOR our students. And we want our students to be for our community. We want each staff member and student to “esteem others better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). In a world that is often cruel, we want Rosedale to be a light—reflecting the love and kindness of Christ.

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted…”
— Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Why These Values Matter

These values give us unity and clarity. They show us how to carry out our mission—not just with our words, but with our actions, attitudes, and expectations.

They help us celebrate what’s right, correct what’s off-course, and pursue excellence with joy and purpose.They invite our whole school community—staff, students, and families—to move forward in the same direction.

Together, our goal is to equip students to pursue their God-given potential and serve as leaders who impact their families, communities, and the world for Christ.

That’s the heart behind it all.

“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God…”
— Romans 15:6 (KJV)

Thank you for being a part of this mission. As we are preparing for a new year, I want to challenge myself first—and then our whole school community—to live out these values: faithfully, intentionally, and together.