Dear HCA and WCS Families,

As we continue progress towards the official launch of River Valley Christian in the fall, we want to share information about our plans towards facility usage. This has been one of the most frequently asked questions by our families, and although plans for next year are still fluid, we want to share as much as we know at this time.

There is a significant history that impacts how we got to where we are, how decisions are being made in the present, and the complexity of determining our future from a facility perspective. We hope this gives our community greater insight into the planning for RVC, trusting in the Lord to make clear and provide for the best path forward for our school.

History

On the Westminster campus, Westminster Christian School (WCS) was previously a part of Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC). Nearly four years ago, WPC launched WCS as a fully independent school. In doing so, WPC retained ownership of the entire campus, and WCS entered into a space-sharing agreement with WPC inclusive of paying space-sharing fees. This agreement has been set to expire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

On the Harvest campus, Harvest Christian Academy (HCA) was previously a part of Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC). Last year, as HBC was launching HCA as a fully independent school, HBC entered into an agreement with Acts2 Network whereby Acts2 became the owners of the campus. As part of the campus sale, HBC entered into spacing-sharing agreements with Acts2 on HCA’s behalf inclusive of space-sharing fees paid to Acts2. This secured academic space for a 5-year term through the 2029-2030 school year, with an optional 5-year extension beyond that. As part of that agreement, HCA is authorized to use the Mitch (the gym at HCA) for a four-hour block during the school day Monday-to-Friday, and an average of two evenings per month.

Present

As we look at facilities for the 2026-2027 school year, it is the responsibility of the Board to secure the facilities needed for the school’s academic programs and extra-curricular activities in a fiscally responsible way. In support of that purpose, we can share the following:

• Over the last few months, we have held multiple meetings with the leaders of WPC and are pleased to announce that we have signed a one-year extension, securing the same space that WCS currently occupies for the 2026-2027 school year, which includes the gym, fields, classrooms and sanctuary.
• We have had multiple meetings with Acts2 and established a very good relationship with their leadership team. In those meetings, we have regularly inquired about additional Mitch usage. One of the biggest challenges has been the advanced scheduling requirements of operating a school and Acts2 requiring more flexible scheduling as they establish their local ministry. However, Acts2 desires to partner with the school, and we will be discussing the possibility of increasing our space-sharing usage of the Mitch for the 2026-2027 school year.
• The Board and Acts2 are also in discussions about the possibility of adding additional square footage in the HCA building to our space-sharing agreement. These conversations will occur as enrollment continues and we assess the finances around these decisions. 

The RVC Administration is actively assessing how to best utilize the two campuses for next school year. Key considerations include total potential enrollment, space capacities, programmatic considerations (class scheduling, lunch schedule, gym location, etc), costs of additional space, a community-fostering environment, gym space, buses, and more. These plans will be solidified once open enrollment is further along and we have a better idea of next year’s student population. More news will come directly from Mrs. Carlye Hay when a plan has been finalized. 

Future

As we’ve shared in prior communications, the Board feels strongly that property ownership is critical to the long-term success of River Valley. Towards that objective, we shared last fall that Risepointe was brought in to help us evaluate multiple options to meet our school’s current and future needs across the existing WCS and/or HCA facilities, or elsewhere. In December they presented to the Board possibilities of what a future cohesive campus could look like and what it would cost.

Thankfully, there appears to be an open door with both property owners to discuss the possibility of acquiring portions of these properties. However, these plans are complex as they would involve significant financial investments, legal and zoning implications, construction projects and coordination across multiple organizations. As we seek clarity in assessing these options, we are seeking counsel with experts, but more importantly, we are entrusting these decisions to our God who can provide in miraculous ways we cannot comprehend. God’s Word says “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3), and “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). Would you join us in prayer as we seek to commit these plans to the Lord and that the Lord would establish our steps?

Moving Forward

The Board’s heart is to communicate as openly as possible with the school community. When certain topics are “in-progress" or “in discussions,” we feel the tension between sharing information and setting an expectation that later disappoints. We do not yet have all the answers - note the number of times we used the word “possibility” in this email. Will all students be in one building next year? We don’t yet know. It is our aspiration, but we still have many details to finalize. When will we own our own property? We’ve done significant research, but we still have many hurdles to overcome. We hope that sharing some specifics and some of our planning helps give perspective to these matters. 

We are greatly encouraged at the momentum gathering towards the launch of River Valley. We recently published the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of River Valley Christian. We are already at record applications of new students for this point of the year. Our recent open houses have been very well attended. As mentioned yesterday, over 95% of our staff has signed their Letters of Intent indicating their desire to return to teach at River Valley. And within the next week, we will know our new mascot! God has been good and we look forward to what He has in store for our school.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19).

Grounded in Truth. Growing in Christ. Impacting the World.

The RVC School Board

board@westminsterchristian.org

board@harvestchristianacademy.org