Announcements

 Congratulations to Mrs. Sandra Newsome, Ridgecroft School’s February Teacher of the Month! 

We are proud to recognize Mrs. Newsome as our February Teacher of the Month! Sponsored by our Ridgecroft PTO, this program honors the dedication, service, and heart our teachers bring to Ridgecroft each day. Mrs. Newsome has been part of the Ridgecroft family since 2008 and brings over 20 years of teaching experience to her students.

 A Few Highlights About Mrs. Newsome:

• Years Teaching: 20+
• Years at Ridgecroft: Since 2008
• Subjects Taught: Lower and Middle School Computer, Personal Finance, Life Skills, Accounting I & II, Math 6, and Business Math
• Education: Bachelor of Science from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College)
• Favorite Quote: “Family is the most important thing in the world.” -Diana, Princess of Wales
• Hobbies: Spending time with her grandchildren, reading, traveling, and cooking
• Why She Loves Ridgecroft: “Ridgecroft has always been a part of my life. I started here in 2nd grade, graduated from Ridgecroft, and both of my children also attended and graduated from here. Now I have grandchildren here, with two enrolled and another who will begin preschool in a few years. It truly feels like home.”
• Favorite Lessons to Teach: 6th grade math and Personal Finance

As part of this recognition, Mrs. Newsome will have a special sign displayed outside her classroom for the month of February and will receive an Amazon gift card from PTO and a Plant Park gift card generously donated by The Plant Park as tokens of appreciation.

Join us in celebrating Mrs. Newsome for her commitment, leadership, and lifelong connection to Ridgecroft! 

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Career Day was truly an incredible experience for our students! We were honored to welcome a wide range of professionals who took time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge, career paths, and real-world experiences.

Our Preschool students were excited to meet visitors from the Officer Swain Sheriff’s Office, Belch Farming, Sarah Griffin, a nurse practitioner, and Firefighter Morris, who helped introduce them to important community roles in fun and engaging ways.
Lower School students explored careers with guests from ECU Dental School, Commercial Ready Mix (CRMP), NC Cooperative Extension using Combine VR headsets, and Will Chamblee from Tri Co Grading. These hands-on and interactive sessions sparked curiosity and big dreams among our younger learners. 

Upper School students heard directly from professionals working in workforce development, university career services, healthcare, emergency services, real estate, law, and industry. We are especially grateful to Ja’Queta Gatling, Jennifer Curley and Heather Fleet from RRHC, Hannah Rose from Chowan University Career Development Coordinator, Jamie Lassiter a Speech Language Pathologist, Will Blanchard an EMT, Crystal Cherry a nurse, Elora Hutchins Real Estate Agent, Maria Jones a lawyer, Commercial Ready Mix (CRMP) representatives Tim Curley, Safety Supervisor, and Brian Futrel,l DOT Coordinator, Dean Lilley from Newport News Shipyard, and Albemarle Regional Health Therapist, Shykira Porter, and Terri Revelle a school psychologist for leading meaningful and inspiring discussions.

After the presentations, our guests had the opportunity to connect with our seniors over a relaxed lunch in the library, allowing for even deeper conversations about goals, career paths, and next steps after graduation.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Career Day such a success. Our students walked away encouraged, informed, and inspired about the possibilities ahead.

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On Thursday, January 22nd, Ridgecroft School marked a meaningful moment of tradition and connection as the Class of 2039 (PreK4) formally presented the Class of 2026 with a 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Betsy Ross flag.

The special ceremony brought together members of the PreK program, the senior class, and the fifth grade, who serve as the school’s official “keepers of the flag.” Representing the Class of 2039, Andrew Floyd presented the flag to the senior class president, Klaire Cherry. The flag was then ceremonially raised by the fifth graders, symbolizing the passing of responsibility and the shared traditions that unite our students across grade levels.

The flag was generously donated by the Floyd family, both of whom are veterans. One of only 10,000 produced to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, this commemorative Betsy Ross flag will fly on campus for the remainder of the academic year as a symbol of service, unity, and gratitude.

The presentation holds special significance as both the Class of 2039 and the Class of 2026 will graduate during the year of the United States Semiquincentennial, 2039, for their preschool graduation and 2026 for their high school graduation, forever linking these two classes through this historic milestone.

We are deeply grateful to the Floyd family for this meaningful gift and for moments like these that highlight the strong sense of continuity, tradition, and community that defines Ridgecroft School.
 

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Thank you again to everyone who supported the Senior Class Thanksgiving Assembly! In addition to the $1,093 raised, some of our seniors delivered the donated canned goods, valued at $570.51, to the Ahoskie Food Pantry today. Ridgecroft’s total contribution is now $1,663.51. We truly appreciate your generosity and support!

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Ridgecroft School is excited to announce that the Board of Trustees has approved the development of a football program, with plans to begin at the junior varsity level and build toward a varsity program within two years.

Over the past year, Board-appointed individuals investigated the feasibility of football as a prospective sport at Ridgecroft. After they presented their findings and recommendations, the Board officially approved moving forward with this addition to the school’s athletic offerings.

Ridgecroft football games will be played on the current soccer field. The school remains committed to continuing its proud 50-year soccer tradition while also expanding opportunities for student-athletes. As Ridgecroft grows, so does student interest, and football aligns well with both those interests and the school’s conference participation.

“The addition of football represents Ridgecroft’s commitment to growth and to meeting the evolving interests of our students,” said Brandi Farmer, Board Chair. “We are excited to honor tradition while creating new opportunities that strengthen both school spirit and community engagement.”

In conjunction with the launch of football, the Board of Trustees and administration will begin working on a comprehensive master plan to support the school’s long-term academic, athletic, and facility needs.
Ridgecroft’s enrollment has steadily increased, and with that growth comes the responsibility to ensure the school remains well-positioned for the future. The master plan will serve as a roadmap for responsible development, striking a balance between tradition and innovation.

This step represents more than the addition of a sport; it reflects Ridgecroft’s dedication to serving students and engaging the wider community. If you are interested in learning more or in supporting the football program through contributions or involvement, please contact the Office of Advancement at Ridgecroft School: Kim Bailey at kbailey@ridgecroft.org or 252-332-2964. 

The following questions and answers provide additional details about the program and the school’s broader vision for growth.

Questions & Answers
Is Ridgecroft discontinuing its soccer program?
No. Ridgecroft will continue to field soccer teams. Both soccer and football will share the field, with the athletic director carefully scheduling practices and games to ensure a balance.

How will this be paid for?
The football program will be funded through dedicated fundraising efforts, not from current allocated school funds.

Who will be eligible to play?
The program will begin with Junior Varsity 8-man football for grades 7-10, with a planned transition to varsity play within two years. 

Why football, and why now?
As Ridgecroft continues to grow, so does the range of student interests. Football offers an additional opportunity for participation, school spirit, and community involvement, aligning with the athletics provided by many conference schools.

Where will games be played?
Games will be hosted on Ridgecroft’s current soccer field, which will serve both sports.

What about safety concerns?
Ridgecroft is committed to the safety of its student-athletes. The program will adhere to all conference and state safety regulations, employ coaching staff, ensure proper equipment, and prioritize training and education on safe play.

Who will coach the football program?
The school will begin the hiring process for qualified football coaches who will uphold Ridgecroft’s values and focus on student growth, both on and off the field.

Will adding football affect Ridgecroft’s academic mission?
No. Academics remain the top priority. The football program is being introduced alongside a master planning process that will ensure Ridgecroft continues to provide strong academic opportunities as it expands its extracurricular offerings.

How will the community be involved?
The football program will be supported by community fundraising, volunteer opportunities, and gameday events designed to engage alumni, families, and friends of Ridgecroft. The school views football as not only an athletic addition but also as a community-building opportunity.

What will the master plan include:
Academic Enhancements: Evaluating classroom spaces, instructional resources, and academic programming to ensure students continue to receive a rigorous and enriching education.
Athletic Facilities: Assessing current fields, equipment, and training facilities to support both new and existing sports programs.
Campus Growth: Identifying opportunities for improved traffic flow, gathering spaces, and infrastructure upgrades.
Community Input: Engaging with students, parents, faculty, alumni, and supporters to gather feedback and build a shared vision for Ridgecroft’s future.

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The Board of Trustees and Mr. Russell Johnson are proud to announce that Ridgecroft School is a 2024-2025 National Beta School of Distinction. The school earned this recognition by increasing its club’s membership by at least 10% from last year. 

National Beta School of Distinction is an honor for Beta clubs striving towards academic achievement, exemplary character, demonstrated leadership and service to others. With an ongoing quest to instill these qualities in more students, the National Beta School of Distinction Award is designed to reward those schools that show an increase in membership for the current school year. This year, only 2,946 Beta Clubs across the country received this award. 
In a congratulatory letter to the school, Bobby Hart, CEO said “This national award speaks highly of your commitment to academic excellence and illustrates your dedication to preparing students for their future.”
Award recipients will receive a National Beta School of Distinction banner to proudly display as a symbol of their accomplishment.

“We are incredibly proud of our Ridgecroft students who are part of the Beta Club,” said Russell Johnson, Head of School. “Their commitment to service, leadership, and academic excellence reflects the very heart of our mission as a school. Earning recognition as a National Beta School of Merit is a testament to their hard work and the supportive community around them. We are excited to continue building on this partnership with National Beta to help our students grow as scholars and leaders.”
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With more than 500,000 active members and 14,000 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization.  National Beta recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, and fosters leadership skills. National Elementary Beta includes grades 4-5, National Junior Beta includes grades 6-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12.   Visit betaclub.org for more information.

About National Beta  
With more than 500,000 active members and 14,000 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization.  National Beta recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, and fosters leadership skills. National Elementary Beta includes grades 4-5, National Junior Beta includes grades 6-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12.   Visit betaclub.org for more information.

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Ridgecroft School is excited to welcome our Fall 2025 interns! These seniors are gaining meaningful, real-world experience while supporting our faculty, staff, and students across campus. Their dedication not only strengthens daily school operations but also gives them valuable opportunities to explore future career paths.

Molly Brown is interning with Molli Rose, Upper School English Teacher and Assistant College Counselor. Molly has quickly become an invaluable part of the classroom, organizing novel folders, creating bellringer resources, preparing vocabulary binders, running copies, and even color-coding Chromebooks to streamline classroom technology. She also provides direct support to students, making a positive impact every day.

Kendall Courtright is interning in the Advancement Office with Barbara Outland and Kim Bailey, assisting with communications, fundraising initiatives, and special projects that keep Ridgecroft moving forward.

Cali Evans splits her time between Mrs. Winn’s 3rd-grade classroom and Mrs. Hawkins, Assistant Head of School. In Lower School, Cali works closely with students on assignments and reading practice experiences that perfectly align with her future career goals in speech therapy.

Landon Woodard and Corey Phipps are supporting Athletic Director Billy Jenkins. From field maintenance to game-day prep, these students are gaining hands-on experience in athletics management while ensuring Ridgecroft’s sports programs run smoothly.

Ethyn Beachboard is interning with Upper School Science Teacher Katie D’Souza, assisting with classroom tasks such as making copies, organizing materials, and preparing labs for hands-on learning.

Ridgecroft is proud of the initiative, leadership, and teamwork these interns display each day. We look forward to watching them grow through their experiences this semester and to the contributions they’ll continue to make to our school community.

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Ridgecroft School announced today that it has earned Cognia® Accreditation. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.

“Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Ridgecroft School a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,” shared Russell Johnson,  “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”

Cognia recognizes schools across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia accreditation, a school must submit to internal and external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend Ridgecroft School for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org

About Cognia
Cognia is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Find out more at cognia.org. 
 

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Dear Ridgecroft Families,
We are looking forward to an exciting school year ahead! For those of you who were able to attend Open House, you should have received a hard copy of our Important Dates calendar at that time. There are additional copies available in the front office. 

We’d like to remind you that our school uses integrated Google Calendars for key schedules. You can easily sync them to your personal calendar for quick and easy access:

Academic Calendar: View Here
Menu Calendar: View Here
Athletic Calendar: View Here

These calendars will stay up to date, and we encourage you to integrate them so important events are always at your fingertips!

We’ll also continue to post only weekly reminders and upcoming events on our social media platforms for those who follow us. However, everything we post can always be found on the calendars above.

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
 

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July 31, 2025

Dear Ridgecroft Family,

Welcome to a new and promising school year. I trust that you and your family members have shared quality time and experiences with a focus on being together. Preparations for the 2025 – 2026 academic year have been taking place since January of this year. The summer has been exciting, welcoming new teachers and students, making new classroom assignments, getting parts of the building painted, as well as meeting the other numerous needs of the campus. 

We will continue this work until opening day, focusing on delivering a welcoming environment and a quality and rigorous curriculum, with numerous extracurricular opportunities to our students.

Ridgecroft School has been awarded its accreditation status by Cognia, Inc., completing an eighteen-month period of self-study and analysis. Our report confirms that Ridgecroft School embraces the whole child, acknowledging the social-emotional needs of students, while offering a safe and nurturing environment with a focus on rigorous curriculum and extracurricular activities. Our teachers have already begun their work in order to ensure this solid school experience.

All of us here at Ridgecroft believe that every student deserves a quality education. This only happens when the school, our families, and community work together for the best outcomes for our young people. As we begin this new school year, let us all look forward to working together to ensure that Ridgecroft School remains the premier independent school in our area.

Please know that our doors are always open and we welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns you might have, or just come by and visit!

Russell H. Johnson
Head of School
Ridgecroft School

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