OUR STORY: 

Redwood began with a homeschooling mom in need.  In the spring of 2021, after homeschooling her four children at four different levels she was exhausted and discouraged.  However, the exhaustion that she felt was due to an overwhelming sense that she was failing in every area of her life.  She was not the teacher or mother that she longed for her children because she was pulled in so many different directions and committed herself to an unrealistic and unsustainable level of rigorous academics.  Where was the joy in learning?  Where was the delight in being together?  Why was she homeschooling in the first place?  She had lost her way, her vision, and felt alone.  Her children were disgruntled and stressed.  She knew something had to change but she did not want to give up on her ideals for her children nor her home.  Is there a way to make homeschooling more sustainable?  Is there a way to bring peace back into her home? If homeschooling was her calling, that she believed was from God, she knew she needed to ask for help from others.  As a Christian, she knew that many things in life could only get so far without the body of Christ.  Was there a way to utilize the giftings of others to share the load of homeschooling?  Was there a way to design a community of people to help build accountability?  Were other mothers feeling the same way and have the same needs?  With this need, Redwood Classical Academy was born.  

Redwood launched in the fall of 2021 with 45 students and a handful of home educators who wanted to help each other bring rest to their homes.  Redwood spent the first two years working hard casting vision.  In the spring of 2023, RCA made strategic decisions in order to create the sustainability that was needed.  Many hard decisions were made with protecting the christian homes and bringing rest to the home educator in mind.  Organizationally, Redwood spent many hours working to bring clarity to its vision and teaching methods.  Practically, RCA found partnering with the Charlotte Mason Institute for their development of curriculum and pedagogy, dedicating significant resources to their own building space, and committing to a “no homework policy”  was most impactful. 

As RCA continues to grow, its ultimate desire is to cultivate strong community partnerships that ensure long-term financial sustainability, further develop a beautiful and inspiring physical environment where students can thrive, and foster a joyful educational atmosphere rooted in delight-based learning and enriched by living books.

While RCA is committed to fiscal responsibility—ensuring that tuition covers the core operations of its programs—it also recognizes that donor-based giving creates the margin needed to advance its mission with excellence.
Above all, RCA seeks to build a community of like-minded families who are dedicated to raising the next generation of believers—teaching them to honor their Christian heritage, delight in God’s created order, and embrace the virtues of being made in His image.

WHY REDWOOD?

We chose the name Redwood for our school with deep purpose and meaning. First, it reflects our focus on God’s creation—Redwood trees are a beautiful symbol of His majesty, standing tall and strong. Their root systems are uniquely interconnected, reminding us of the strength found in community and interdependence. But most importantly, the name points us to the red wood of the cross—where the blood of Jesus was shed—empowering us to do this work and shaping everything we teach and believe.

Our logo features tree rings because they tell the story of a tree’s growth—layer upon layer, year after year—each ring representing seasons of strength, struggle, and resilience. This imagery reflects long obedience in the same direction, a steady faithfulness over time. In the same way, we see each family's journey as part of a much larger, grander story: God’s redemptive plan for a hurting world. The rings also symbolize our long-term vision—RCA is not here to serve just one generation, but many. We are committed to supporting the heritage of faith, year after year, until Christ returns.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

To fulfill our mission of ushering God’s Kingdom into every home, we begin by helping families understand how to faithfully love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. RCA uses the imagery of three types of feasting to inspire and guide families in this journey.  Finally, RCA continually seeks to 'set the table' by expanding opportunities that cultivate a love for learning among homeschool families.

To love the Lord with all of your heart: the kitchen table
To love the Lord with all of your soul: the perfect table
To love the Lord with all of your mind: the academic table 

THE KITCHEN TABLE 

RCA strives to ENRICH homes by making home education accessible to all, providing families with a flexible, faith-based learning environment. As homeschooling demand grows, we are committed to expanding resources, scholarships, and support for neurodiverse students to ensure every child can flourish. While we are not yet fully equipped to meet all learning challenges, we are actively seeking ways to grow and make homeschooling a viable, enriching experience for every family.

THE PERFECT TABLE 

RCA exists to help families ENJOY life in the Lord through intentional discipleship. To strengthen this foundation, we seek to integrate spiritual formation plans, dedicated staff, and a Director of Spiritual Formation to guide students and families in their faith journey. Additionally, hiring a Director of Student Life will help foster a thriving community by organizing fellowship opportunities, potential sport program, and activities that encourage lifelong friendships and Christ-centered growth.

THE ACADEMIC TABLE 

RCA is dedicated to ENHANCE the love for learning by equipping students with a strong academic foundation and fostering curiosity, resilience, and confidence. To uphold excellence, we provide Charlotte Mason training for staff and parents while pursuing accreditation and ongoing professional development. Additionally, we seek to add a Community Coordinator to support homeschooling families with guidance, resources, and community-building initiatives.

SETTING THE TABLE

RCA is committed to EXPANDING opportunities for students to cultivate a love for learning through enrichment programs, hands-on experiences, and creative exploration. We aim to grow our offerings by designating an Enrichment Day program or adding after-school clubs. Additionally, we are excited to expand beyond K-8th to include high school and enhance our building atmosphere to support new learning opportunities for all.

what is our hope?

At RCA, our vision reaches far beyond the present—we long to see lives changed and generations transformed for the glory of God.
We desire to support not just one generation of Christian believers, but many. Our prayer is that RCA would be a place where the first generation of home educators becomes:

  • Sustained in their calling
  • Supported in community
  • Strengthened in the Lord for the journey ahead

And as these faithful roots grow, we long to see the second generation rise up to become:

  • Wise in God’s ways
  • Delighting in His created world
  • Responding with joyful service
  • Celebrating life together with God’s people

RCA exists not only to educate minds, but to shape hearts—cultivating a legacy of faith, wonder, and purpose that echoes through generations.