JRDS at a Glance

Accreditation
The Virginia Association of Independent Schools has accredited JRDS since 1979.

Memberships
James River Day School is a member of the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and The Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education.

Student Body
Two hundred fifty-three students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade attend JRDS.

Student Teacher Ratio
Kindergarten through Fifth grade: 13.9 to 1
Sixth grade through Eighth grade: 12.5 to 1
Two classes per grade

School Day
8:15 a.m. - 2:45p.m. (K-2)
8:15 a.m. - 2:55 p.m. (3-4)
8:15 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. (5-8)

Zipcodes Represented
Students from fourteen separate zipcodes attend JRDS.  The zipcodes represented include:  Altavista, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Big Island, Concord, Forest, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Moneta, and Sweet Briar.

Campus
The campus buildings, consisting of 55,732 square feet of building space, are located on twelve acres.  The facilities include the 13,000 square foot Carrington Field House, the Taylor Media Center (12,000+ volumes) with Internet access and Accelerated Reader software, dedicated computer and science labs, full-size athletic playing field, full-sized greenhouse, cafeteria, outdoor classroom, on-campus nature trail, outdoor playground, and dedicated classrooms for art, music, French, and Spanish.

Faculty
The thirty-five faculty members include a full-time media specialist, resource teacher, computer teacher, an athletic director, two art teachers, three physical education teachers, two music teachers, a French teacher, a Latin teacher and two Spanish teachers.  Twenty faculty members have graduate degrees.  Our faculty and staff is overseen by our Head of School.

Curriculum
James River Day School’s academic program is challenging and flexible, keeping individual student needs in mind.  Over the course of nine years, from kindergarten through grade eight, students develop sound habits of reading, writing, problem solving, calculating, experimenting, creating, and reflecting.  Our students master the essential skills of organizing, researching, memorizing, and managing time well before they enter high school.  Our graduates are well prepared for the best secondary programs, with skills and habits that continue to serve them throughout life.

Core academics, in grades K-4, are enhanced by classes in art, music, French or Spanish, technology, PE, and library.  All 3rd Graders begin violin study, and orchestra, band, and glee club opportunities continue through 8th grade.  Students in grades 5-8 continue to study art, music, world language, technology, PE, civics, and geopolitical studies.  Graduates have at least three high school credits:  Algebra I, Earth Science, and Latin I, French I or Spanish I. Students, who are able, may take Algebra II and/or French II or Spanish II in the 8th grade.

Athletics
Fifth through eighth graders compete against many local schools, as well as schools in surrounding areas, including:  Danville, Gretna, Staunton, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Lexington.  Students have a choice of sports in each of three seasons.

Fall Season:  Soccer, Cross Country, and Girls' Volleyball
Winter Season: Boys' Basketball and Girls' Basketball
Spring Season: Boys' Lacrosse and Girls' Lacrosse

Transportation
Daily bus transportation is available between Lynchburg and Bedford, along Route 221, with stops in Forest.  Additional routes are considered as needed.