Rock Creek Christian Academy School History

The roots of Rock Creek Christian Academy go back to the spring of 1978, when a group of interested families gathered to consider alternatives and the cost of starting a private Christian school in the Sellersburg area. It was determined to begin in the fall of 1978, and Faith Covenant Assembly, now Restoration Christian Church, with its newly-completed 5000 square foot facility located on 1.4 acres of donated property was the place. Bob Hauselman was the first principal of the fledgling school, who, with a staff of three full-time "supervisors" and many volunteer "monitors" began with approximately 30 students from the area.

Because the building was not ready for the beginning of school, the first classes were held in two private homes for the first few months. The school employed A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) materials and methods, which allowed the two-room school to accommodate 12 grades and kindergarten at the same time. The program included PACE work, choral music, physical education, weekly chapel, and educational field trips. The spring of 1979 saw the school's first graduate, Mary (Hauselman) Dohoney.

Between the years of 1979 and 1987, fifteen more students graduated from the school, while the student population grew to about 75 students. During those years Greg Burton served as principal and teacher, along with many others who worked sacrificially to see this endeavor grow. During these years the school added volleyball and basketball, and participated in state and national academic and athletic competition, with many winning, either as individuals or as a team. The girls' volleyball team was the state runner-up and participated in the national competition. The students worked in "offices" located around the perimeter of the classroom/
sanctuary of Faith Covenant Assembly. These "offices" had to be put up and taken down twice every week, nine months each year, by dedicated people from the church and school. To these we owe a debt of gratitude.

In the spring of 1987 the school was experiencing some challenges that threatened the health not only of the school, but of the church as well. The church leadership made a difficult decision to discontinue the high school. Sports programs and convention competition were dropped and the enrollment fell to about 30-40 students. Meinrad Sprigler became the principal/administrator and the school had one full-time teacher. For the next few years the school made little progress other than providing quality Christian education. During these years, due to more mothers going to work, the concept of volunteer help had to be adjusted. It was apparent that the school was at a crossroads.

In 1991 Mr. Sprigler approached the pastor's wife, Sara Hauselman, and asked her to become the principal of the school. Many changes followed that led to growth in the school, which was now renamed Restoration Christian School. Needing more room, the church/school purchased a new portable classroom that helped for one year. The decision was also made to add high school classes, which included changing from the A.C.E. system to graded classrooms for all ages. A two-day pre-school program was started by Denise Burton. More teachers were hired. By 1992 the enrollment grew to 85; 110 students in 1993-94; 138 students in 1994-95; 175 students in 1995-96; 200+ students in 1996-97; 230 students in 1997-98; and 275+ students in 1998-99 - approximately a 15% growth rate each year in the 1990s.

To keep up with the growth additional space and teachers were needed. In 1992 Restoration Christian Church (also renamed) started an aggressive building project that would serve the growing needs of the church and school. The 13,600 square foot two-story addition, costing over $700,000, was dedicated in November of 1993. Due to the building not being completed by the beginning of school, the ever-growing school had to house its high school classes until November at Calvary Christian Church, which graciously opened its doors. For this we are most grateful. Athletic programs were reinstated as well as the beginnings of an orchestra and band program. The school expanded its courses by participating with Prosser Vocational School to provide half-day vocational study. The school's reputation began to grow as well as the enrollment. We began to have students enroll whose parents had been students in the school as well. Graduated of RCS were accepted at major colleges, both public and private, with students being awarded scholarhips and testing out of college classes. Special education classes, added late in the 1990s, have further expanded the programs, and to date, there are two full-time teachers, three full-time aides, and one part-time aide who provide an extensive K-12 resource room program, meeting the needs of many children.

In 1998 the church and school chose once again to build more facilities. After additional property was purchased, a 20,000 square-foot addition was built, costing over $800,000. The new facility included a cafeteria/fellowship hall, a greatly enlarged kitchen, restrooms, locker rooms, an office complex, a science lab/classroom, and a 12,000 square foot gymnasium on the first floor, along with an unfinished second floor. This was completed during the 1999-2000 school year, and now houses the church youth room and children's sanctuary, restrooms, a media center with computer lab and library, and four classrooms. During the 1990s the school's athletic teams won five Christian school state championships and many tournament championships in boys' and girls' basketball and girls' volleyball.

Since then the school has drawn students from over 20-25 communities, five southern Indiana counties, and occasionally from Louisville, KY. These students represent 70 different churches and more than 15 different denominations. The campus has grown from 5,000 square feet to over 30,000 square feet. The property has grown from 1.4 acres to greater than 15 acres. Currently the school graduates about 25 seniors each year, a high percentage of which continue their education and training in universities, colleges, or technical schools, carrying with them the standards of scholarship, leadership, spiritual growth, and servanthood, the focus of our mission. In 2000 Restoration Christian School was fully accredited by the International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA), and was granted full accreditation by the State of Indiana in 2002, as well as membership in the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). The idea of providing an alternative Christian education has grown to a respected part of the education scenery in the Southern Indiana area.

The new name for the school, effective July 1, 2007 , represents a revitalized instructional program, a renewed and expanded vision, and a recommitment to academic excellence and the development of Christ-like foundations.