C.F. Richards is the second oldest Christian school in Staunton. After beginning in the basement of the Staunton Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1956, the school moved to its current location, off Barterbrook Road, on Sterling Street in 1959. During 2019 the school is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Sunday, March 31st the school had an Open House and STEAM Day (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math),. The public event featured student science fair exhibits, fun and educational hands-on activities for all ages, a robotics demonstration, brain teasers, and an art show. School tours were given to interested visitors on that day.
In addition, the school will be having an alumni reunion in September.
Students attending the school come from a variety of backgrounds and locations. Principal, Jennifer Hackley commented, “CFR is a safe and loving environment for students and their families. It is a special place where students are supported and challenged to grow academically and in their relationship with Christ.”
The mission of C.F. Richards is to “be a community of learners who love God and serve others.” To achieve this goal, instruction is tailored to meet the strengths and needs of the students in small classes by dedicated and experienced certified teachers. The school is a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist church and is supported by an active School Board, area church members and parents, many of whom also went to C.F. Richards. A quality curriculum that supports a biblical worldview is used for children in Pre-Kindergarten (3-5) through 8th grade. Recent acts of service by students include raising $550 for cancer research, middle schoolers distributing Christmas boxes with Staunton Community Services, 1st and 2nd grade students reading and singing with residents of a local nursing home and the bell choir playing at the Staunton Senior Center. The community of learners at C.F. Richards enjoy being of service!