Major Campus-Wide Academic Announcements
Rancho Christian Announces Major Academic Vision for 2026-2027
As Rancho Christian School celebrates the close of an extraordinary 2025-2026 school year, school leadership is already looking ahead with great purpose and excitement. President Scott Treadway, along with administrators, faculty, and the school board, has announced several major academic updates for the 2026-2027 school year that will impact every student on campus.
These updates reflect Rancho Christian’s continued commitment to exceptional education in a community of Christlike care, with a growing focus on helping each student pursue a meaningful, personalized, and future-ready academic journey.
“Through these academic pathways, each student’s individual journey will be custom-tailored to their goals, in partnership with parents, to ensure the best experience possible with the best outcomes at graduation and beyond.”
— Scott Treadway, President
Five Academic Pathways
Beginning in 2026-2027, Rancho Christian School will offer five academic pathways designed to support students from elementary through high school. While these pathways come into greater focus in secondary school, the foundation begins early, helping students discover their strengths, pursue excellence, and prepare for graduation and beyond.
The University-Ready Pathway will continue as the standard Rancho Christian School pathway for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. This pathway ensures students are University of California ready, with higher graduation requirements than California State standards.
The Advanced Academic Pathway will serve gifted and exceptionally motivated students in grades 4-12. This includes GATE in grades 4-5, an Advanced Academic cohort in middle school, and a wide array of AP courses and concurrent college classes in high school.
The Sports Academy Pathway, available for grades 6-12, will provide students with the benefits of an exceptional, Christ-centered education while also receiving individualized athletic training. Rancho Christian Sports Academy is a Christ-centered, college prep experience, and students are encouraged to participate in other academic pathways as well to ensure every opportunity and resource remains available to them.
The Educational Support Pathway will serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade who may be behind grade level or need additional support or accommodations. This pathway is designed to help students achieve academic success through more personalized and targeted interventions.
The STEM Pathway will formally launch in 2026-2027 for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Rancho Christian has already seen tremendous success through STEM-based curricular and co-curricular programs, and this new pathway will build on that momentum. A STEM Director will be announced soon.
The STEM Pathway will include First Lego League, Girls Who Code, STEM Empowerment, middle school robotics, Science Olympiad, a high school FIRST Robotics competitive team with middle school mentorship opportunities, advanced math and science AP classes, STEM-based clubs including bio-med, and internship and mentor opportunities.
A sixth pathway, the Arts Academy Pathway, is targeted for the 2029-2030 school year.
A Renewed Middle School Experience
There is also great enthusiasm for Rancho Christian’s transition back to a middle school model for grades 6-8. With both current 5th and 6th graders being promoted out of elementary school this year, they will make up two-thirds of next year’s middle school student body.
Rancho Christian Middle School will continue to build around the Growing Up Great initiative, which is designed to keep students moving, having fun, building friendships, and connecting with faculty and administrators who care deeply about them. Middle school is a unique and important season, and Rancho Christian is committed to making it both a profound learning experience and a really good time.
Middle school will begin at 8am and will have its own drop off and entry to campus, separate from the high school morning drop off and entry.
Academic placement assessments will help recommend each student’s academic pathway, with final placement decisions made in partnership with parents. Many middle school students will also participate in the Sports Academy Pathway while continuing to pursue their academic best.
A Daily Traditional Schedule for Secondary Students
Another important shift for 2026-2027 is the move away from block scheduling on Wednesdays and Thursdays for secondary students. Middle school and high school students will move to a daily traditional schedule, attending all seven classes Monday through Friday.
This decision followed careful deliberation with faculty and administration, as well as input from students and parents.
The shift is designed to support student focus and engagement, especially in middle school, while helping teachers plan strong, student-centered instruction each day. It will also allow middle school and high school to enjoy separate lunch hours and make better use of Rancho Christian’s courtyard, including its games, green space, shade, water features, and seating areas.
Additional schedule details for 2026-2027 include:
Monday late start will continue, with elementary school beginning at 9:20am and middle school and high school beginning at 9am. Elementary school will continue to begin at 8:30am Tuesday through Friday. Middle school and high school will begin at 8am Tuesday through Friday, with separate entrances to the West Campus. Wednesdays will continue to be chapel days.
Academic Staff Updates
Rancho Christian’s academic staff continues to thrive as a community of educators committed to exceptional education in a community of Christlike care.
Dr. Doris Jackson recently graduated with a doctorate degree in education, and the school celebrates both her accomplishment and her profound impact on thousands of students throughout her career at Rancho Christian. Her deepening role will continue to help build a truly exceptional academic experience for students.
Daniel Lybeck has been promoted to Director of Performing Arts. In this role, he will oversee secondary school theater, band, and choir while coordinating with elementary performing arts to help ensure a seamless K-12 arts experience. Jenna Augustine is moving on from her role as Theater Director after an illustrious 14-year career at Rancho Christian. She will be deeply missed, and her legacy will continue through Mr. Lybeck’s leadership and expertise in theater, band, and choir.
A STEM Director, who will also lead the new STEM Academy, will be hired soon. This position will oversee secondary STEM curricular and co-curricular programs, including Rancho Christian’s growing robotics program, while coordinating with elementary STEM to create a seamless K-12 experience.
David Matsumoto is returning to the Rancho Christian School faculty as the senior class Theology teacher and as a vital part of the Student Ministry Team. After a short time away helping support his wife’s business, he is back and ready to make a meaningful impact on students.
Kinsey Abt will continue serving as the elementary GATE teacher and is only months away from receiving her doctorate in education. She will also serve as the Elementary School Director of Curriculum & Innovation, helping ensure every student, in every subject and every grade level, is on their best academic journey.
Curriculum Updates for 2026-2027
Rancho Christian is also preparing several curriculum updates for the coming school year.
For grades 9-12, the school will adopt SAVVAS My Perspectives English Language Arts as the new English curriculum, with additional literature supplemented. This update will strengthen alignment with standardized testing and university readiness.
In elementary science, Rancho Christian will add Project Lead the Way and Open Sci-Ed as important components of the STEM Pathway.
The school is also carefully evaluating elementary Social Studies curriculum. Both Christian worldview and secular curriculum options include topics and content areas that Rancho Christian has not traditionally taught at the elementary level. At the same time, the school is seeking a program that provides strong academic rigor while aligning with its mission, values, and instructional approach.
Rancho Christian is conducting a comprehensive review process for the 2026-2027 school year, collaborating with other private schools as they evaluate the best path forward. Parents will be informed throughout the process and invited to engage in the conversation.
Looking Ahead
The 2026-2027 school year is shaping up to be a significant year for Rancho Christian School. With the launch of two additional academic pathways, a renewed middle school model, a daily traditional schedule for secondary students, key academic leadership updates, and thoughtful curriculum development, Rancho Christian is continuing to deepen each student’s journey academically, spiritually, and socially.
Together, these updates reflect the heart of Rancho Christian School: partnering with families to equip Christ-centered leaders who are university ready and life ready.