LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / August 14, 1998

RESERVE – Reserve Christian School Administrator Raymond Goodman hardly knows which bit of news he’s most proud of – the school’s new certification by the Louisiana Department of Education or the school’s new affiliation with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

“We just keep on improving,” Goodman smiled.

State certification is obviously the biggest news, Goodman acknowledged.

With that certification, the school is a more attractive prospect for parents shopping around for a quality education for their children.

The school is affiliated with Reserve Christian Church on U.S. Highway 61in Reserve. The school opened its doors 24 years ago and includes gradeskindergarten through 12th grade.

“We’re approaching 300 enrollment,” Goodman observed, and added, since the general public still somehow remains unaware of the school’s existence.

“We’re really the best-kept secret in the River Parishes.”The school does have a low profile, located behind the church on Airline Highway, but that will change with their new sports affiliation. They willbe playing St. Charles Catholic High School in SCC’s volleyball tournamentand also host their own tournament on Sept. 26.Classes start Aug. 17, and students will see a number of changes, from anew oak gym floor to a new computerized library, complete with CD-ROM and internet access.

“We got the most up-to-date equipment as we could get for it,” Goodman commented, and added the school’s own webpage address is www.stjohnparish.com/rcc.With high school principal Chris LeBoeuf and elementary school principal Mary Aguillard, the school’s top assets are its atmosphere of Christian discipline and its high academic standards.

The school requires every high school student to participate in the anti- drug PASSED program with the St. John Sheriff’s Office, making it oneschool with 100 percent participation. Discipline is firm but fair, he adds.”When we have a discipline problem, we deal with it and move on.”Goodman pointed out most students don’t bother putting a lock on their locker because petty theft is virtually unknown.

Spirituality is of paramount importance. “When we tell parents ourteachers pray with the students, they like that,” Goodman noted.

Other changes in the high school include changing the school day from seven to six classes per day, and plans are underway for a new high school building to accommodate the growing population.

Goodman has been administrator of Reserve Christian for the past five years. “It’s been a good five years,” he noted. The school enrollment was230 when he began and 300 is now within reach.

Several new faces will also be seen on the 15-member faculty, including Athletic Director Timmy Byrd, Girls Varsity Coach Mike Merricks and Spanish teacher Lizbeth Jackson.

Parent orientation is set Aug. 13 at 7 p.m., and a parent open house isscheduled Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.