Riverside Presbyterian Day School

What Riverside Presbyterian Day School does

Riverside Presbyterian Day School (RPDS) is a private, independent Christian elementary school founded in 1948 and located at 830 Oak Street in Jacksonville, Florida. It is the oldest independent elementary school in Jacksonville and serves approximately 405 students from PreK 3 through 6th grade, drawn from 35 Jacksonville zip codes and adjacent south Georgia communities. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees and affiliated with but operationally independent from Riverside Presbyterian Church, whose Head Pastor sits on the board.

RPDS delivers a whole-child educational program organized by developmental stages — Early Learning (PreK 3 and PreK 4), Lower School (Kindergarten through 3rd grade), and Upper School (4th through 6th grade) — using Singapore Math, Science of Reading/Orton-Gillingham literacy methods, Amplify Science, and Project Zero thinking routines. Core academics are supplemented by STEAM labs, competitive athletics through the North Florida Independent Schools Athletic Conference, performing and visual arts, servant leadership programming (Project LEADS), weekly chapel services, the Author-in-Residence literary enrichment program, and the Steve and Dotty Risley Media Center. The school also operates Riverside in the Afternoon (RITA), an extended-day program, and offers annual overnight retreats including a 6th-grade Washington D.C. trip and Southwind YoungLife Camp.

The business model is tuition-driven, with annual tuition ranging from $6,260 for a PreK 3 two-day program to $20,710 for 4th-6th grade (inclusive of iPad and supplies). Revenue is diversified across tuition, extended-day and lunch fees, and philanthropic contributions including the annual RPDS Fund, Cornerstone Campaign endowment, planned giving, and a Business Partner Program. Admissions are managed through a sales-led motion centered on the myRPDS/mySchoolApp portal, required parent tours, and a series of on-campus brand experiences. The school is FCIS-accredited, employs 101-250 staff, and is active on Instagram, Facebook, and Vimeo.

Name

Riverside Presbyterian Day School

Legal name

Riverside Presbyterian Day School

Website

https://rpds.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Riverside Presbyterian Day School is a private, independent Christian elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida, serving approximately 405 students from PreK 3 through 6th grade with a tuition-driven model supplemented by philanthropic giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Elementary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

Keywords

• Private elementary education
• Christian independent school
• STEAM elementary curriculum
• After-school enrichment programs
• Early childhood education

Headquarters

HQ city

Jacksonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments across grade levels. Tuition ranges from $6,260 (PreK 3 two-day) to $20,710 (4th-6th grade). Payment plans include annual, semi-annual, and 10-pay options.
2. Extended Day Programs (RITA): Riverside in the Afternoon (RITA) program provides after-school care and enrichment activities for additional fees.
3. Lunch Program: Optional hot lunch ordering available five days per week for additional cost.
4. Philanthropy and Fundraising: Annual RPDS Fund, Cornerstone Campaign endowment drives, planned giving programs, and business partner program provide supplemental revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Riverside Presbyterian Day School is an independent co-educational Christian elementary school serving children from PreK 3 through 6th grade, located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school delivers grade-level academic programs (PreK 3, PreK 4, Kindergarten, 1st-3rd, 4th-6th) featuring Singapore Math, Science of Reading-based literacy instruction, and STEAM education, complemented by athletics, performing arts, visual arts, servant leadership, spiritual formation, and an extended-day after-school program (RITA).

Product overview

Riverside Presbyterian Day School is an independent co-educational Christian elementary school (PreK 3 through 6th Grade) founded in 1948 and located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school offers a unified educational program built around its mission to 'educate the mind, nurture the spirit, and foster the development of the whole child.' Core programs include age-specific grade-level curricula (PreK 3, PreK 4, Kindergarten, 1st-3rd Grade, 4th-6th Grade) featuring Singapore Math, Science of Reading-based literacy instruction, and STEAM education. The school enriches its core academic offerings with integrated supplementary programs including Athletics (competitive team sports and recreational PE), Performing Arts (music, drama, and student podcasting), Visual Arts, Servant Leadership, Spiritual Formation through weekly chapel services, the Author-in-Residence program, and the Risley Media Center. Extended care is available through the Riverside in the Afternoon (RITA) after-school program. Students also participate in experiential learning opportunities including the 6th Grade Washington D.C. trip and Southwind YoungLife Camp.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PreK 3 Program Early learning program for 3-year-olds offered in 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day per week enrollment options, with foundational literacy through Science of Reading-based instruction, Singapore Math early numeracy, STEAM classes, and spiritual development through Care & Connect gatherings. Tuition: $6,260 (2-day) to $11,430 (5-day) annually.
• PreK 4 Program Full-week early learning program for 4-year-olds featuring early literacy with Heggerty lessons and Orton-Gillingham methods, Singapore Math approach, bi-weekly STEAM Lab sessions, and community building curriculum. Tuition: $15,310 annually.
• Kindergarten Program Full-day kindergarten providing literacy instruction using UFLi Foundations curriculum and Handwriting Without Tears, Singapore Math Dimensions curriculum, science lab and STEAM visits, and social studies focused on community building. Tuition: $19,220 annually.
• 1st-3rd Grade Elementary Program Lower elementary program featuring themed curriculum units, Singapore Math, Amplify Science, cursive handwriting, and collaborative classroom language arts instruction. Tuition: $19,990 annually.
• 4th-6th Grade Upper School Program Departmentalized elementary program with subject-area specialists covering Singapore Math (fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages), Collaborative Classroom language arts, Amplify Science, World History, with team sports in the NFISAC conference and an included student iPad. Tuition: $20,710 annually.
• Riverside in the Afternoon (RITA) After-School Program Extended day program and after-school academies offering childcare, enrichment activities, and academic support beyond regular school hours for an additional fee beyond tuition.
• STEAM Program Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics program with dedicated STEAM Labs featuring project-based learning, robotics, and design thinking from PreK through 6th grade, included within tuition.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports program for 5th-6th graders in the North Florida Independent Schools Athletic Conference (NFISAC) offering basketball, flag football, and volleyball, plus daily PE for all grades, included within tuition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,639 community service hours completed by students in 2023, helping 14 local agencies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North Florida Independent Schools Athletic ConferencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPDS Athletics participates in the North Florida Independent Schools Athletic Conference, offering 5th & 6th grade students competitive sports including Basketball, Flag Football, and Volleyball. The conference provides structured athletic competition for regional independent schools.
• Riverside Presbyterian ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school maintains a close relationship with Riverside Presbyterian Church for weekly Chapel services held in the church sanctuary. The church provides facility access and the Head Pastor serves on the Board of Trustees, supporting the school's Christian mission and spiritual formation program.
• Kelly ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRPDS partners with Kelly Services' independent school division to fulfill guest teacher/substitute needs during staff absences. This staffing partnership ensures continuity of instruction when full-time faculty are unavailable.
• Cummer MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated 0.2 miles from campus, the Cummer Museum provides cultural learning experiences and field trip opportunities for students, supporting the school's visual arts and cultural education programs.
• Nemours JacksonvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare research partner for student health education and wellness programs. 6th grade students have conducted lab experience work at Nemours Jacksonville, isolating DNA from biopsies and participating in research activities related to eosinophilic esophagitis.
• Project Leads Community OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPDS partners with multiple community organizations for the Project Leads servant leadership program including: Sulzbacher Center, UCOM, Sanctuary on 8th Street, MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, City Rescue Mission, Family Promise, Angelwood, and The Well Church of Jacksonville. Students complete service rotations at these organizations during the school year.
• Southwind YoungLife CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Ocklawaha, Florida, Southwind YoungLife Camp hosts the annual 6th grade overnight retreat focused on spiritual development, service orientation, and team building before the start of the academic year.
• Harvard Project ZerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPDS has collaborated with Harvard Project Zero experts, including Jim Reese, to implement thinking routines and deep learning strategies in the 6th grade curriculum, particularly for the Health and Wellness Fair cross-curricular project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Palmer Trinity School: Independent Episcopal day school (6-12) in Miami, FL with comparable faith-based ethos and college-preparatory curriculum. Regional benchmark for Florida faith-based independent school positioning.
• Academy of the Holy Names: Catholic independent school in Tampa, FL serving PreK-12 with similar faith-based identity and whole-child development mission. Comparable faith-based tuition structure and curriculum model.
• Shorecrest Preparatory School: Independent PreK-12 school in St. Petersburg, FL with comparable tuition tier and whole-child curriculum philosophy. Regional comparison for Florida Gulf Coast independent elementary operations.
• Maclay School: Independent PreK-12 school in Tallahassee, FL with comparable tuition, college-prep curriculum, and faith-friendly culture. Regional benchmark for Florida independent school operations and governance.
• Berkeley Preparatory School: Independent PreK-12 school in Tampa, FL with comparable tuition tier, college preparatory curriculum, and faith-friendly positioning. Regional benchmark for Florida independent elementary school economics and program design.

Broad incumbents

• The Bolles School: Largest and most established independent school in Jacksonville, serving PreK-12 with extensive athletics, arts, and boarding programs. Acts as a broader incumbent in the same Jacksonville market, competing for the same affluent family pool at higher tuition.

Direct peers

• Providence School of Jacksonville: Independent Christian school in Jacksonville serving PreK through 12th grade. Direct competitor for faith-oriented Jacksonville families seeking PreK-6 elementary education with similar values-based curriculum.
• Jacksonville Country Day School: Independent co-educational elementary school (K-6) in Jacksonville, FL. Closest direct competitor in age band and structure, competing for the same upper-middle-class Riverside/San Marco area families.
• St. Johns Country Day School: Independent K-12 school located in Orange Park, FL (adjacent to Jacksonville). Comparable private school positioning, tuition tier, and feeder school status to Jacksonville-area secondary schools.
• Episcopal School of Jacksonville: Large private K-12 Episcopal day school in Jacksonville serving families across the same Northeast Florida market as RPDS. Comparable faith-based independent school positioning, tuition tier, and admissions competition for the same Jacksonville family segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/rpdsjax
• Facebookfacebook.com/rpdsjax
• Instagraminstagram.com/rpdsjax
• Xx.com/rpdsjax

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Riverside Presbyterian Day School