Non-Denomination

Student ATTENDANCE: 187

Meet Riverside Christian School

Riverside Christian School (RCS) is a non-denominational private Christian school located in East Grand Forks, MN, dedicated to providing a Bible-based education centered on Christ. The core purpose of RCS is equipping students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship. The school provides educational programs across Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, and High School, and is a fully accredited K through Grade 12 school through Cognia. Riverside Christian School currently serves 115 students in K–5th grade, 45 in Middle School (MS), and 27 in High School (HS). In addition to its Cognia accreditation, RCS is actively working toward accreditation with ACSI.

Riverside Christian School has a history dating back to 1982 when it was founded by parents as Shema Christian School. The school went through several name changes and relocations as enrollment grew and, most significantly, after the 1997 flood devastated its original church sites, which was located in Grace Baptist Church. It was formally renamed Riverside Christian School in 2002 after relocating to the Valley Elementary building in East Grand Forks. More recently, the school expanded its offerings, opening Riverside Christian High School in August 2020. RCS aims to provide the finest academic programs and co-curricular activities, emphasizing a family atmosphere, small class sizes, and strong academics, consistently putting God first in their classrooms.

About the K-8th Principal

Riverside Christian School (RCS), a non-denominational private Christian institution located in East Grand Forks, MN, is actively seeking a qualified and dedicated K-8th Principal. This pivotal administrative role is responsible for overseeing a student population that currently includes 115 students in K-5th grade and 45 in Middle School (MS). The Principal will ensure that the school’s operations align with its core mission: to provide a Christ-centered, Bible-based educational experience that equips students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service and worship. This individual is expected to partner closely with the High School Principal. The ideal candidate should be a strong instructional leader who supports faculty, builds positive relationships, and manages daily operations. They should also be flexible and willing to take on various roles as needed, as principals in small schools often take on multiple responsibilities.

The successful K-8th Principal must embody the characteristics of a servant leader, demonstrating a strong faith and a commitment to leading the staff spiritually. This leadership profile requires a calm presence, resilience, and creative thinking abilities. The Principal must be a visible and present leader in the hallways and buildings, actively greeting students and staff, and supporting co-curricular activities. Essential interpersonal skills include effective communication, maintaining an open-door policy for staff, and building trust and honesty within the community. Crucially, the Principal is expected to be confident in decision-making and must consistently support the teachers and their decisions to maintain pedagogical consistency. Success in this position after one year will be determined by metrics such as positive growth, active involvement in the school community, and earning the respect and confidence of the staff and families.

The K-8th Principal‘s responsibilities include:

The K-8th Principal is a crucial administrative role, responsible for the oversight and spiritual leadership of students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The Principal will work closely and side-by-side with the High School Principal. This leader must operate with a servant’s heart, dedicated to serving the students, families, and teachers of RCS.

Insert Bullet points

• Spiritual and Educational Leadership: Lead the K-8 staff and students with a strong Christian faith, ensuring alignment with the biblical teachings and core values (Respect, Achieve Excellence, Ministry, Servant Leadership) of RCS.
• Instructional Support and Faculty Development: Actively coach and support teachers to help them improve, while maintaining an open-door policy for staff.
• Classroom Management and Support: Be capable and willing to jump into the classroom and sub when needed, demonstrating a hands-on approach and comfort with classroom dynamics.
• Visibility and Presence: Maintain a calm presence and be a visible and present leader in the hallways and buildings, greeting students and staff, and actively supporting co-curricular activities like athletics and music.
• Discipline and Policy Enforcement: Administer discipline consistently, confidentially addressing concerns, and ensuring discipline procedures follow the biblical disciple-making process. The Principal should support and respect teachers’ decisions, reinforcing their authority and providing guidance, particularly when navigating challenging situations with overbearing parents.
• Community Relations: Be approachable and open to listening to parents, hearing them out, and praying about their concerns.
• Administrative Oversight: Be confident in decision-making and help guide the school’s operational and academic structure towards continuous improvement

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the K-8th Principal:

Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree is required
• A Master’s Degree in Education is required, with a focus on Education Administration preferred
•  A minimum of five years of demonstrated classroom teaching experience is necessary, preferably within the K-8 environment
• Prior experience in administration or related administration classes is required

Spiritual Knowledge:

• Must be a committed Christian with a strong faith
• Able to lead the staff with their faith
• Understand and align with the mission of RCS to provide a Bible-based education centered on Christ
• Lead the K-8 staff and students in alignment with the RCS Core Values, including Respect, Achieve Excellence, Ministry, and Servant Leadership

Leadership and Coaching:

• Strong and decisive leader
• Ability to coach teachers (helping them improve)
• Able to be confident in decisions
• Provide leadership and administrative experience for the elementary and middle school principal’s role
• Be an effective communicator
• Maintain an open-door policy for staff and make time for them
• Follow through on commitments
• Operate as a team player, utilizing everyone’s strengths
• Ability to support co-curricular activities (athletic, music, art, drama)
• Problem-Solving and Resilience
• Ability to apply creative thinking

Personal Characteristics

• Possess a servant’s heart (dedicated to serving students, families, and teachers)
• Demonstrate a calm presence
• Be personable and outgoing with strong interpersonal skills
• Be genuine and real 
• Focused on earning the respect, trust, and honesty of the community

What it’s like to live in Grand Forks, ND

Grand Forks is consistently ranked as one of the safest and most charming small cities in America, offering a high quality of life with a distinctly friendly and welcoming community. It provides a “small town security with big city flair,” meaning you’ll enjoy shorter commute times and a lower cost of living—about 9.3% more affordable than the average U.S. community—without sacrificing amenities. The city is home to the highly-rated University of North Dakota (UND), which infuses the area with a vibrant college-town energy, sports events cultural events, and excellent public and private educational opportunities. The community’s relaxed pace of life, combined with a strong focus on wellness and safety, makes it an ideal place for individuals and families looking for a peaceful and connected environment.

The job market in Grand Forks is robust, boasting one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, with ample opportunities for career growth. The economy, once heavily reliant on agriculture, has diversified significantly. Today, it’s a major hub for several thriving industries, including Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (UAS)—earning it the nickname “Silidrone Valley”—as well as aerospace, engineering, healthcare (anchored by Altru Health System and Sanford Health), manufacturing, and defense (home to the Grand Forks Air Force Base). The presence of UND also creates numerous careers in higher education. The city actively supports business development and fosters a talented workforce pipeline, particularly attracting and retaining young professionals through various community initiatives.

For recreation, Grand Forks offers activities for all four seasons, thanks to its setting along the Red River of the North. The Greenway is a massive, 2,200-acre park system (larger than Central Park in NYC) that provides over 20 miles of multi-purpose trails for biking, running, walking, and with access to campgrounds and fishing sites.. During warmer months, you can enjoy golfing, kayaking, or visiting the Town Square Farmers’ Market. In the winter, the city transforms into a haven for ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Grand Forks is also an undisputed “hockey town,” famous for the UND Fighting Hawks games at the world-class Ralph Englestad Arena. In addition, the Grand Forks area is home to five beautiful golf courses. Beyond sports, the community offers a lively arts and culture scene, with venues like the North Dakota Museum of Art, the Alerus Center for concerts, and various local music festivals.