From the modest beginnings of 19 kindergarten students and one teacher, the school has grown to over 500 students and 48 teachers while preparing two generations of Jacksonville children for success in secondary and post-secondary education. The school campus, which was once located in the church’s Sunday school rooms, now includes five buildings, an athletic field and three playgrounds. Located in the historic Riverside community, the school is fully accredited and accepts academically qualified students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade without regard for race, creed, color or national origin.

Dr. Albert Kissling, who served as senior pastor of Riverside Presbyterian Church from 1932 to 1967, did much to shape the direction of the day school. J. Beatty Williams, chairman of the education committee of the church, joined him during the formative years of RPDS. The buildings bearing the founders’ names were built 20 years apart as enrollment grew and programs were added. The Kissling Building, which was opened in 1958, includes classrooms and an auditorium. The Williams Building, dedicated in November 1977, houses classrooms, the media center, the Kruger Computer Center, the music lab and administrative and general offices.

During the early years, Jewell Swain served as principal of the Day School. In 1960, Dr. McNabb Morrison, who occupied the position for 12 years, followed her. During that time, RPDS continued to grow as enrollment topped 440. The school was accredited by the State Department of Education in 1963 and the Florida Council of Independent Schools in 1968 and programs such as Spanish and music were added to the curriculum. Following Dr. Morrison were Robert Thomas who served one year and Dr. William Johnson, whose four years as Head were marked by the completion of the Williams Building, the development of the Parents Association, and the strengthening of the administrative staff.

Next to serve as head the school was Suzanne Tomlinson, whose seventeen-year tenure included strengthened academic and enrichment programs with strong emphasis on qualification and professional development of the faculty. During her time as head, a weekly chapel service was inaugurated and computer instruction was added to the curriculum. Full-time teachers were also hired in art and Bible. A development office was begun to oversee annual and capital campaigns and to implement marketing initiatives. An extended day program was opened to serve the needs of working parents. Key to “putting our school on the map as a recognized educational institution of quality” was obtaining accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1981 and the National Association for the Education of Young Children in 1990.

Mrs. Tomlinson retired in 1994 and a nationwide search led to the appointment of Robert Littell, who has served the school for eleven years. During his time as head, the school has seen the opening of the first grade center, the addition of the fourth sections of first, second and third grades, the completion of a major capital campaign and the refurbishment and building of campus facilities. In addition, the Early Learning Center and the Lane House were added to the campus, athletic space was leased, and the Extended Day space was increased and enhanced. In 2005, the school opened with 526 students, the largest enrollment to date.

The School and Board of Trustees have just completed the third five-year strategic plan, which will act as a context of fundamental ideals from which the administration, faculty, and trustees can guide the decision making process and can assess the performance of the school. This plan insures that the original Christian environment that was intentionally established in 1948 is still evident today and that the mission and educational philosophy of the school are upheld.

• Headmaster Welcome
• Mission and Philosophy
• Board and Strategic Plan
• 5 Year Strategic Plan
• History and Traditions
• Our Chapel
• Tour Riverside