Rockbridge Academy

Rockbridge Academy has an average retention rate of 94% for students in grades K-12 who enter the school in kindergarten. For transfer students, our retention rate is 99%. The staff turnover rate averages less than 5%. Our SAT scores are 400 points above the national average. Please plan to visit us any time it is convenient for you! School is in session from first Tuesday in September until the Thursday before Memorial Day. We would be happy to share our vision and mission with you. Contact us anytime at learning@rockbridge.org.

After having my children attend Rockbridge for more than 5 years; having left Rockbridge for a number of reasons, it frustrates me to read the glowing reviews. These reviews are likely written by parents who are usually the teachers at Rockbridge. Recruited, they likely have no formal training in education, thus they do not know how to meet the needs of less than gifted students. Once a teacher's child(ren) graduate, they quit their position. Your child may receive remediation if you have the money to pay for it outside of the school in addition to tuition. The attrition rate of teachers and students are high due to some of these above listed factors. This year alone, the school is losing about 20% of their teaching staff. Students who receive high SAT scores would likely score the same if attending a public school, as they are usually gifted students to begin with. Prior to enrolling your child sit in on classes, if permitted, not just on visitation day. Having said all the above, I now have honor roll students functioning in public school at a higher level than at Rockbridge, they are happy, they have time for things other than homework, and they no longer need counseling.

As a former student of Rockbridge (now a college student) I want to offer an insider's perspective on the "Biblical Worldview" offered at Rockbridge. Let me preface this by saying that I am a Bible believing Christian and a member of a local church near where I attend College. The "Worldview" on offer at Rockbrigde is as classical as its curricular roots. If you are looking for your child to learn how to integrate her faith with contemporary science, history, culture, or philosophy you will find little of that here. This school constantly emphasizes an "us vs. them" mentality of "believers vs. unbelievers". If a perspective runs contrary to the current doctrine of evangelicalism it is deemed "unchristian" or "of the world". Perhaps, as a parent, you are fine with this. But as a student I was jarred by the fact that what was taught to be an"unchristian" belief or view turned out to be held and defended by some of the most intelligent and passionate Christians grounded in the Bible. My point here is that Rockbrige is a school for those deeply entrenched in the contemporary evangelical-bubble. If you want more than an ossified culture-war worldview, send your children elsewhere.

After attending another Christian school in the Annapolis area for 9 years we transferred all of our children to Rockbridge. The academics are challenging- it's amazing what excellent teachers, a classical curriculum, and hardworking students can accomplish. The athletic program and the extracurriculars (like orchestra, debate, and choir) reflect the school's desire to serve God through its best efforts. The most important and appealing thing about this school is that it is truly Christ centered. Not only is every class taught from a Christian worldview, but the people who make up this school strive to follow and honor God-and it shows. My daughter who transferred into the grammar program, her teacher and I had a conference recently to talk about her transition. Instead of focusing on grades, the teacher addressed my daughter's heart- asking her to think and pray about whether she is doing her best for God. (She also gave her practical study hints to help as well.) Choosing a school is about prioritizing your values. For us, the Christian community and strong academics are the most important and we're thrilled to have found both here.
--Submitted by a parent

I respectfully differ in opinon with the last comments in regard to Rockbridge not considering learning differences and teachers catering to only the gifted learner. On the contrary, not only was the school founded by a family whose son had a dissability, but there are quite a few students at Rockbridge today with learning differences, mine included. You wouldn't know it perhaps because they are not singled out; there is not a resourse room they go to, which is really, really wonderful. There have been a number of one-on one aides in the school's history, but more impressive is the daily Christ like support that the school provides students of all abilities, including math lab, peer tutoring, and flexibiity in the ciruculum to meet indvidual needs. For example, a student may need to use a computer in class to help with expressive language; that is going on right now at Rockbridge. In regard to being too strenuous, it all really boils down to work, and yes, it is hard some of the time, but I can assure you that it is not the grade that is praised around Rockbrige, it is the effort of a job well done, and that is the real lesson I wish to impart on my family.
--Submitted by a parent

The latest review is interesting and I'm glad she posted a different perspective. My son applied to enter the 9th grade at Rockbridge. He had just finished 8th grade in a TAG magnet school taking honors courses and achieved a cumulative gpa of 3.6. The only real difficulty for him is that he's on the autism spectrum and has some learning differences. After he took the admissions test at Rockbridge, we were told that he would have to retake 8th grade in order to enter. Wanting desperately for him to be in a strong Christian environment we approached our son with the question. He agreed to repeat 8th grade in order to attend Rockbridge. Then they reqired him to take the entrance exam for entering 8th. After this, they informed us that he would not be accepted into the school because there was too much remediation required. All of this based on a simple test which we were not given the opportunity to review. There was no consideration given to his learning disability and that depending on the test, it doesn't reveal his true abilities. At his old school, he had lots of academic support. I don't think you'll find this at Rockbridge.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't usually write reviews, but I am so passionate about Rockbridge that I am willing to spend the time to do so here! I have 2 children at the lower school and have been so happy about their experience there. Not only have they learned an enormous amount academically (they appear to be ahead of their peers at other schools), they have also been instructed about the Bible, Christian character and values, developing a strong work ethic, treating others with love and respect, and the list goes on! The teachers clearly love what they do and pour their lives into teaching and loving their students. We have also been very impressed with the wise, godly, prayerful leadership of the school. Can't recommend it strongly enough!
--Submitted by a parent

If you are a Christian parent looking for a school that will support your efforts to teach your children truth in this relativistic age, then Rockbridge Academy will supersede your expectations. Rockbridge's methods of education are vastly different than more modern ones used in other schools, and this produces results. Rockbridge does not experiment with new education techniques on your children. Its goals are not higher AP or SAT scores, and it doesn't offer classes catered to standardized tests or designed to make sure that every student passes. Rockbridge's faculty truly desire to mentor your children in a Christ-centered fashion, using the time-tested Trivium method that produced the great minds of Greece, Rome, and Europe; which will ultimately teach your children to think independently for themselves - and to evaluate all claims by the standard of truth found in the Bible.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated from here and can say it prepared me for college extremely well. At Rockbridge, they strive to teach students how to think logically, speak/write eloquently, and ultimately teach themselves.

An academically rigorous, Christ-centered K-12 program based on the classical model of education. This school challenges my children in academics as well as life choices! The small class sizes (typically around 15) ensure that the teachers really know the students. The sports program is developing and currently offers middle school and high school soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Only major downside to the school is the facilities situation, but with the acquisition of land and God's grace, this may be rectified in the near future!
--Submitted by a parent