Rockford Christian Superintendent Opportunity Profile

Opportunity Profile
SUPERINTENDENT
Rockford Christian Schools
Rockford, IL

INTRODUCTION
Dear Prospective Superintendent Candidate,
On behalf of all us at Rockford Christian Schools, thank you for
your interest in our superintendent search. We trust that this
profile will give you a solid introduction to our excellent school,
as well as the key qualities and characteristics we seek in our next
superintendent. This is an exciting time for RCS with a
substantial building project underway and lots of positive
momentum. We are earnestly praying for our next superintendent
and look forward to seeing who God will bring to lead us into the
future.
Since our founding in 1961, we have been preparing young
people for lifelong service in God’s kingdom. What started as
a non-denominational preschool has grown to a vibrant Pre-K
through high school with a solid, college preparatory curriculum.
Our mission is to challenge young people to know Christ as Lord,
apply God’s truth in all areas of life, love others sacrificially, and
achieve the highest level of knowledge and skill in order to serve
God and others. We seek a superintendent who will join our
dedicated faculty, staff, board, and families in moving Rockford
Christian forward.
We encourage you to read through this Opportunity Profile and
to further explore our website for additional information. If you
are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please reference the
Process of Candidacy page at the end of this document to begin
the application process. If you have any questions, please
contact Laura Coverstone or Ed Poff (615-261-4623), the
JobfitMatters Consultants who are assisting Rockford Christian
Schools in this search.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D.
Chair, Board of Directors

OVERVIEW
Located an hour and a half west of Chicago, Rockford Christian
Schools is a private, nondenominational Christian school serving
about 1,000 PK-12th grade students dedicated to high standards
of academic excellence and spiritual growth. All of RCS’ programs
revolve around the understanding that God has endowed
each student with unique gifts and abilities. Rockford Christian
believes that the school-age years are formative for discovering
those gifts and learning how to use them for God’s glory, as well
as for personal development and fulfillment. The school embraces
the principle that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and
that it provides guidance for all aspects of life.
RCS stands out as a school which excels in many areas: achieving
awards and championships in math, science and robotics
competitions; winning Regional and State titles in sports; and
capturing many awards at fine arts competitions. Parents rave
about the passion, dedication, and excellence of the faculty at
RCS. Enrollment has trended steady for many years, with only a
recent slight decline that is consistent with other private schools
in the area. To address this decline, Rockford Christian Schools is
embarking on an innovative domestic and international boarding
program partnership, providing RCS with immediate facility
expansion and future enrollment growth.
With RCS’ abundance of strengths, there is still much work
to be done. The next Superintendent of Rockford Christian
Schools will focus on 1) building up and empowering a strong
administrative team, 2) ensuring that the boarding program is
implemented with excellence and with specific attention to
the needs of the whole community, 3) growing enrollment, 4)
beginning long term plans for the relocation of the elementary
school to the Bell School campus, and 5) perhaps most
importantly, rekindling a spiritual vibrancy at RCS.
We invite you to learn more through this Opportunity Profile and
the Rockford Christian website at www.rockfordchristian.org.

MISSION & VISION
MISSION
The mission of Rockford Christian Schools is to challenge young
people to know Christ as Lord, apply God’s truth in all areas
of life, love others sacrificially, and achieve the highest level of
knowledge and skill in order to serve God and others.
VISION
The vision of Rockford Christian Schools is to continually
develop and maintain the present facilities, programs, and
personnel, providing students in the greater Rockford area
the opportunity to reach their God-given potential. Rockford
Christian Schools seeks to address each of these areas. We
will acquire and/or expand facilities to promote a growing
educational program. We will develop and implement programs
that respond to the diversity and special interest of today’s youth.
We will also identify a strategy that addresses several social needs
within our community.

STATEMENT OF FAITH
RCS is an independent, non-denominational Christian school.
Church doctrine is not taught; however, the truths of the
Scriptures are intertwined throughout the curriculum. The
Statement of Faith is included as part of the student
application and the parent signature indicates agreement
with the RCS philosophy.
• We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
as wholly inspired by God, inerrant in the original writings,
and the final authority in faith and life.
• We believe in one God, Creator of all things, eternally
existent in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• We believe in the deity and humanity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, in His Virgin birth and sinless life, in His miracles, in
His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in
His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand
of the Father, and in His future personal and bodily return
in power and glory.
• We believe that for salvation of the lost and sinful man,
regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
• We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ
are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and thereby become the
children of God.
• We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and
the lost, for those that are saved it is a resurrection into
everlasting joy with Christ, and for those that are lost it is a
resurrection into everlasting suffering.
• We believe that man was created in the image of God; that
he sinned, and thereby incurred both physical death and
spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all
human beings are born with a sinful nature and indeed sin
in thought, word and deed.
• We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord
Jesus Christ.

HISTORY
1960 Rockford Christian Founded.
1961 Rockford Christian begins with 41 Pre-K students.
Classes are held at Alpine Evangelical and Temple
Baptist Churches.
1963 Construction begins on Hemlock Lane with a
6,500 sq. ft. facility on five acres. Grades K-6 are
expanded.
1968 Addition to the elementary facility to allow for
growing enrollment. Grades 7 and 8 are added.
1971 First class of 8th graders graduate.
1980 Gymnasium, science classroom, and library are
added.
1986 Expansion of an additional eight classrooms and
an office complex.
1996 Middle and High School campus built on Bell
School Road.
1998 First class of 22 Seniors graduated.
2004 Inauguration of track and football field at Bell
School campus.
2007 New 28,000 sq. ft Junior High wing opens, adding
nine additional classrooms, gym, stage area, and
kitchen.
2010 50th Anniversary of Rockford Christian Schools.
2012 The Diane Bertrand Science, Technology and
Humanities Center was built.
2018 Opening of new Indoor Athletic facility and
Performing Arts Center.
2019 Anticipated opening of 200-bed residence hall.

AT-A-GLANCE
ENROLLMENT
33%
1003
Total
Enrollment
42%
51
International
Students
952
Domestic
Students
Families from 129
different churches and
23 denominations
15.5% Ethnic
Diversity
12
different countries are
represented in the RCS
student population.
CLASS OF 2018 SCORES
$
Reading
FINANCIALS
Average
28.0
Honors Score
Average
23.7
Core Score
Writing
REVENUE
Tuition 7,938,103
Fundraising and Donations 2,656,321
Registration Fees 312,336
Summer Camp 282,386
Other Revenue 607,928
Total 11,797,074
(includes extended care, lunch and vending,
athletic fees and activities, misc.)
EXPENSES
Compensation and Benefits 7,356,440
Supplies, Activities, & Athletics 1,507,439
Net Occupancy & Equipment 432,267
Tuition Assistance Awards 252,442
Interest Expense 217,040
Depreciation Expense 534,566
Increase in capital 1,496,880
Total 11,797,074
TOTAL DEBT: $4.4 million (property and
equipment appraised at $12 million)
FACULTY
135 83% 15 11:1
Years Average
Full and Part-Time
Faculty Members
Hold Advanced Degrees
COLLEGE MATRICULATION
Experience of
Faculty
Student/Faculty
Ratio
RCS graduates have been accepted and succeed at top-tier
colleges and universities such as the following:
Bethel University, Calvin College, Cornell University, Cedarville
University, Duke University, Illinois Institute of Technology,
Milwaukee School of Engineering, New York Art Institute, Notre
Dame University, Oxford University, Palm Beach Atlantic University,
Purdue University, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, Moody Bible
Institute, Northwestern University, University of Southern California,
Savannah College of Art and Design, Taylor University, Trinity
International University, Valparaiso University, Wheaton College,
and Yale University.
COLLEGIATE SCHOLARSHIPS:
Over $10 million awarded scholarships
to 135 RCS 2018 graduates
TUITION
$6739
PK and Elem (PK-5th)
$7964
MS and HS (5th-12th)
ACADEMICS
21
AP Classes
4
Languages
9
Technology
Classes
26
Performing &
Visual Arts Classes
ACCREDITATION
Rockford Christian Schools is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International
(ACSI), the North Central Association (NCA) and is certified by the State of Illinois.

STUDENT LIFE
SPIRITUAL LIFE
RCS students open their day with prayer, have Bible class daily,
and enjoy weekly chapels. Students are challenged to reach out
and demonstrate Christ’s love not only to each other, but also to
the community. All faculty and staff are professing Christians and
strive to provide a safe environment that prepares students to live
responsibly with their faith in Jesus Christ. Each year a gifted
speaker is selected to minister to the students and staff during
Spiritual Emphasis Week. RCS students also organize and
conduct the annual See You at the Pole service to publicly pray for
each other, their community, and the world.
ARTS
Rockford Christian School strives to offer a Fine Arts​ Curriculum​
that is recognized for its overall excellence and innovation. RCS
believes creativity is one of the unique ways we are made in God’s
image. As such, RCS offers three unique, yet related, dimensions of
Fine Arts: Visual Art, Theatre, and Music (Choral and Instrumental).
The Fine Arts Department’s vision is to be the premiere Christian
Fine Arts program in North Central Illinois by providing the highest
quality academic and artistic education.
Students Achievements in 2017-18 include:
• 24 awards in the Big North Conference Art Competition
• 11 awards at the National Scholastic Art Competition
• 12 Big North Conference All-Conference Musicians
• 5 ILMEA District 8 Honors Band Members
ATHLETICS
Athletics is an integral part of the Rockford Christian experience.
RCS offers a full range of sports starting in 4th grade all the way
through high school varsity level play. Rockford Christian is a
member of the IHSA and the Big Northern Conference. Rockford
Christian competes in regional, sectional and state level play in
sports like football, soccer, volleyball, golf, swimming, crosscountry,
basketball, bowling, track & field, softball, baseball,
tennis and fishing. RCS has several state championships and many
sectional and conference championships all while glorifying Christ
always.
Student Achievements in 2017-18 include:
• State Champion in 800-meter run
• 2nd place at State Championship in Boys Track
• 2nd place at State Championships in Boys Cross Country

STUDENT LIFE (cont.)
• Two 2nd place relays at State Track Championship
• Qualified for State in Football (playoffs), Golf, and Tennis
S.T.E.A.M. PROGRAM
RCS’ Science and Technology Center opened in 2012 and
provided opportunity for significant expansion of the
curriculum. Students at Rockford Christian Schools can now
explore their passions and talents by creating iMovies, filming
a class play using a green screen, connecting with professionals
via FaceTime, Skype and Hangouts (e.g. recent Facetime
visit with a NASA Rocket Scientist). RCS’s digital learning
tools include 24 iMacs, 40 interactive boards, 120 iPads, and
7 Chromebook carts with over 200 Chrome books. Even in
the elementary grades, students attend S.T.E.M. and Math
Enrichment classes each week. The elementary campus also
offers an after-school Lego club and Coding Club. In middle
school, RCS students can take 6th grade Robotics as an elective.
Student Achievements in 2017-18:
• Robotics - The high school Robotics team placed 14th
out of 250 teams at the 2017 state competition.
• Math - The Math team earned 7 first place finishes at the
ICTM Regional Championships, placed 8th overall in the
State Competition, and received 7 individual first place
finishes at State.
• Science – The Science Olympiad team qualified for State
for the second straight year. The middle school team were
State qualifiers for the 8th consecutive year.
• Chemistry – The high school received 3rd place at the
Loras Chemistry Competition.
• The elementary S.T.E.M. and Art departments collaborated
in using art projects to further investigate art history,
science, and mathematical concepts as they blended
art and technology. Two projects were selected to be
showcased at Tech 2017 in Springfield.

THE CAMPUSES
ELEMENTARY
RCS has one of the finest facilities in the region with state-of-theart
classrooms and technology, 2 computer labs, 2 libraries, 8 science
labs, 3 art studios, a Distance Learning Auditorium, a performance
stage, 3 gymnasiums, and a full complement of athletic fields and
facilities on thirty-five acres.
ELEMENTARY CAMPUS
The elementary campus is at 220 Hemlock Lane and features 24
classrooms, a library, a courtyard, and a gym. 4th and 5th grade
classroom are located in the First Evangelical Covenant Church,
located just across Hemlock Lane. Elementary teachers develop
unique themes for their rooms, developing creative reading nook
spaces that complement the theme.
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS
Rockford Christian Schools’ Bell School campus features an
academic building, a center for science and technology, a
library, and two gymnasiums on a thirty-five-acre campus.
CURRENT MIDDLE & HIGH
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION
EXPANSION PLANS
Rockford Christian Schools are currently implementing significant
expansion plans which include the following:
• A 25,000 sq. ft. addition to the campus that includes an 8000
sq. ft. Indoor Fitness and Recreation Facility to support the
health, fitness, and social needs of all students. This facility
will also offer a safe gathering place for students after school
and on weekends. It offers opportunities for training student
athletes and increasing fitness opportunities for non-athletes,
families, coaches, and staff. Additionally, there will be an
11,000 SF Center for the Arts that will be utilized for RCS’
nationally-recognized fine arts program and for community
events. The building addition has a shared corridor that
allows for indoor bathrooms for football and soccer events
and indoor concessions to help serve RCS’s home fans and
visitors
• A residence hall will offer on-campus housing for students
from around the nation and world. The addition enhances the
college-preparatory experience, extends RCS’s missionary
outreach, and continues to strengthen its position as a
preferred choice for elite faith-based, college-preparatory
education.
FUTURE PLANS
Build a new Elementary School building on the Bell School
campus.

PROFILE
The Superintendent is the Chief Executive Officer of the school
and is charged with the responsibility for the efficient and
effective operation of the school by the Rockford Christian
Schools Board of Directors. The administration and supervision
of the educational activities of the school are delegated by the
15-member Board of Directors to be carried out according to
the adopted policies and procedures. This position is responsible
for the complete operation of the school including all aspects
of student life, parent participation, facilities, faculty, and staff.
RCS’s next leader must be a committed, mature Christian who
understands Christian education and has a track record of
accomplishment in that realm. In addition, this leader needs to
be someone who has a commitment to academic excellence,
understands the operational aspects of running a school, has
strong executive management skills, is an excellent team
leader and has made/can make effective key hires, has
experience in cultivating donors, and can communicate in a
manner that inspires trust and confidence. Ideally, this leader will
have experience at a school with an international boarding program.
Currently reporting to the Superintendent are the Executive
Assistant, Director of Technology, Chief Financial Officer,
Director of Facilities, Elementary Principal, International Program
Director, Middle and High School Principal, Advancement Director,
and the Athletic Director.
SUPERINTENDENT
EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANT
Technology
Director
Chief Financial
Officer
Facility
Director
Elementary
Principal
Int’l Program
Director
Middle & High
School Principal
Advancement
Director
Athletic
Director

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
• Master’s Degree in Education, doctorate preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience in educational administration,
preferred in Christian school environment.
• Embraces the schools’ mission: The Mission of Rockford
Christian Schools is to challenge young people to know
Christ as Lord; apply God’s truth to all areas of life; love others
sacrificially and achieve the highest level of knowledge and
skill in order to serve God and others.
• Successful experience with a strong international program
or a boarding school operation.
• Exceptions to these qualifications will be considered by the
Board of Directors based upon alternative unique expertise.

LEADERSHIP
Characteristics and Responsibilities
Spiritual Leadership
• Provide spiritual leadership and role-model behavior based
on biblical principles, belief in one God, and acceptance of
Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
• Facilitates the development of and maintains an environment
that allows spiritual growth for faculty, staff, students, and
families
• Demonstrates knowledge of a high-quality education
blended with spiritual teachings.
• Be personally involved in a local church and community
organizations that promote Christian values.
Team Building
• Is an Excellent Team Leader with board, direct reports, staff
and partners.
• Has ability to inspire, motivate and mentor.
• Has a positive track record in building up a team and
matching people to the right positions.
• Empowers others and delegates effectively.
Communication
• Communicates the vision, mission and belief standards of
Rockford Christian Schools effectively to all stakeholders, is
proactive and uses a variety of means to inform, commend,
recommend, thank, inquire, and respond.
• Must be highly visible and engaged in the local community
and beyond to help promote the school and represent RCS’s
goals and objectives through local media.
• Listens well and engages others individually & in group
settings. Projects strength & confidence.
• Approachable, reasonable, resolute, engaging, encouraging,
and motivating.
Academic Leadership
• Is an Excellent Team Leader,
• Collaboratively lead principals and faculty to design and
implement the best educational program consistent with
RCS’s vision, mission, and policies. Continuously update
goals, objectives, courses, and descriptions.
• Acquires, demonstrates and utilizes knowledge of the everchanging
developments and trends in K-12 education.
• Along with the Principals, recruit, hire, and retain the best
possible Christian teachers, taking into account RCS students
and mission. Evaluate, promote, and re-hire professional staff.
Motivate, encourage, inspire, nurture, assist employees to grow
personally and develop both to their benefit and that of RCS.

LEADERSHIP
Characteristics and Responsibilities (cont.)
Community Life
• Must thrive in being actively involved with all areas of the
community life: academics, spiritual, athletics and the arts.
This includes the enjoyment of interacting with students and
parents.
• Must be highly visible and engaged in the local community
and beyond to help promote the school and represent RCS’s
goals and objectives.
Admissions/Parent and Student Relations
• Willing to engage with new potential families and sell the
school at all levels locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
• Demonstrate from the top down that RCS is committed to each
student and to involving parents as part of the community.
Advancement
• Has proven successful track-record with fundraising and
friend-raising including demonstrated significant asks and
received major gifts for the institution they have served.
• Has noteworthy energy and dynamism necessary to assist in
leading capital campaign efforts.
Strategic Planning and Financial Management
• Is gifted in leading and managing the creation and
implementation of a strategic plan
• Demonstrates the ability to perform effective financial
forecasting and long and short-term financial planning.
• Supervises the preparation and presentation of the annual
budget and recommends it to the Board of Directors for
approval.

EXPECTATIONS
of the Superintendent
Successful leadership in any educational institution is judged by
how well its leader meets the expectations of its board, meets
the needs of its students, and responds to the input of its faculty,
administration, parents, and other constituent groups. In this case,
these goals can be described as capitalizing on Rockford Christian
School’s many existing strengths rather than implementing drastic
change or overcoming severe challenges.
1. Hire and retain outstanding faculty and staff to foster student
academic, spiritual, and personal growth.
2. Continuously improve all aspects of the school to improve
overall quality of instruction and student life.
3. Focus on continuing to build a more Christ-centered culture,
focused on life shaping experiences that encourage students to
focus themselves on God’s purpose for their lives.
4. Lead plans for facility growth that are focused around the
student experience and expanding enrollment. Ensure that the
international boarding school is fully integrated.
5. Grow funding streams that interest supporters and ensure
that Rockford Christian Schools is accessible to more families.
6. Continue to improve marketing and communication efforts
to promote RCS and encouage new students to join our school
family.
In support of the items noted above, the Board will work with
the new superintendent to develop measurable and mutuallyagreeable
goals around the following priorities:
• Build and empower a strong administrative team.
• Grow enrollment.
• Begin planning for the moving of the elementary school to
the Bell School campus.
• Implement appropriate human resources practices and
policies.
• Improve the communication among faculty, administration,
parents, and students.
• Ensure an academically rigorous curriculum in a spiritually
vibrant context.

THE LOCATION
Rockford is a city with a small-town heart. Rockford’s citizens take
pride in community service and making people feel at home.
Rockford boasts a nationally-ranked park district; a beautifully
restored downtown theater that hosts a variety of cultural events;
and state-of-the-art sports facilities that connect people in the
spirit of teamwork. Students at RCS have the support of deeprooted
community experts in such areas as aerospace, healthcare,
and engineering. The cost of living is 80% of the average cost
of living in the United States, making it a very affordable place to
live.

WHERE IS
the Ideal Candidate Today?
One might assume that the ideal candidate will currently be a leader
of a Christian school, but the right leader may come from a
variety of vocations. We believe someone from one of the following
areas may have the skills and experiences that are needed to lead
Rockford Christian Schools. This list is not meant to be exhaustive
but rather to encourage potential candidates to understand the
breadth of experience that may fit well in this position:
• An experienced leader of a Christian school.
• A successful private or public-school leader who believes
strongly in Christian education, has a solid Biblical background,
and has a significant understanding of non-profits, boards
and fundraising.
• Possibly an organizational leader outside education who
brings significant years of board and/or leadership experience
in a Christian school.

PROCESS
of Candidacy
If, after reading this Opportunity Profile, you sense that the gifts
and experience God has given you are a good match for Rockford
Christian Schools, we invite you to begin the inquiry process. We
handle all candidate information and conversations confidentially.
You may contact Laura Coverstone at any stage of the process for
more information and to ask questions (see contact information
below).
Please provide the following in one document or PDF:
- A current resume
- Responses to the following essay questions:
• Describe your spiritual journey of faith in Jesus Christ.
Indicate how God is using you in your work, in your church,
and in your community. How has your relationship with Jesus
Christ shaped your career and influenced your decision to
apply for this position?
• Describe your experience with Christian education, both
personally and professionally. How would you define
the marks of “educational excellence” in a 21st century
Christian school? Include any experience you have with an
educational boarding environment.
- Provide the names and contact information (telephone numbers
and email addresses) for four references who know you and your
career well enough to comment on your suitability for the Head
of School position at Rockford Christian Schools. (References will
only be contacted after we have requested and received your
permission to do so.)
Submit this information in one Microsoft Word document or
PDF to:
Laura Coverstone
JobfitMatters
resumes@simainternational.com
Phone: 615-261-4623
In the subject line of the email, please write
“Rockford Christian - Superintendent”