Mission & History
Our Mission
James River Day School cultivates intellectual curiosity and strength of character in a joyful community.
For over 50 years, James River has provided its students with amazing academic and athletic opportunities while recognizing the need to honor the sanctity of childhood. Our mission statement reflects the purpose of James River Day School, which is to serve students during their critical years of development while on campus and beyond. It speaks to the joy of childhood, a child’s natural curiosity about the world, and the vital work we do to develop character in our students. The Board of Trustees approved the mission statement above on March 13, 2024.
While this mission is authentic to our school community, we recognize the school's history and previous mission statements are inherent in the values of the school, and we have adapted them into our core beliefs:
We understand and cherish childhood.
We do not want to accelerate the precious childhood years unnecessarily; therefore, we believe the K-8 model is an ideal learning environment designed to meet the developmental needs of children through early adolescence.
We commit to the whole child and foster academic excellence.
We are dedicated to a challenging, student-centered, well-rounded academic and co-curricular program. Our students engage in a variety of leadership activities, and collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and still have plenty of time to play and socialize with peers.
We care about developing strength of character and meaningful relationships.
We are passionate about our students developing strength of character, integrity, curiosity, responsibility, and compassion. Our character education emphasizes developing empathy as a foundational character strength.
We value a diverse and inclusive community.
The JRDS community is committed to ongoing evaluation and enhancement of our school culture, curriculum, and practices to foster an inclusive learning community enriched by and reflective of a diverse and global world. Our historically inclusive community ensures that our students and faculty have a deep respect for people of different backgrounds.
We are dedicated to a challenging, student-centered, well-rounded academic and co-curricular program. Our students engage in a variety of leadership activities, and collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and still have plenty of time to play and socialize with peers.
We care about developing strength of character and meaningful relationships.
We are passionate about our students developing strength of character, integrity, curiosity, responsibility, and compassion. Our character education emphasizes developing empathy as a foundational character strength.
We value a diverse and inclusive community.The JRDS community is committed to ongoing evaluation and enhancement of our school culture, curriculum, and practices to foster an inclusive learning community enriched by and reflective of a diverse and global world. Our historically inclusive community ensures that our students and faculty have a deep respect for people of different backgrounds.
We recognize every child can make a positive impact on their community.
Students are actively encouraged to engage in service to their school and the greater Lynchburg community through regular outreach. They will emerge confident, poised, and equipped to continue contributing to their community.
Students are actively encouraged to engage in service to their school and the greater Lynchburg community through regular outreach. They will emerge confident, poised, and equipped to continue contributing to their community.
Because curiosity moves us forward, we are assured of a bright future for James River Day School.
Our HistoryJames River Day School was founded in 1971 as a “non-racially discriminatory school” for grades first through sixth and built on the foundation of academic excellence while honoring the sanctity of childhood. More than fifty years later, James River has grown to educate children from kindergarten through eighth grade and remains committed to developing scholarship, leadership, and citizenship in its students.
When James River was founded, an existing structure on Boonsboro Road was renovated to provide classroom facilities. The school increased its offerings in 1973 by opening a kindergarten.
In the fall of 1996, the school expanded to include sixth grade. In 1997, the Taylor Media Center was completed, along with science and computer labs, five new classrooms, and teacher offices. In the same year, the campus was reconfigured to provide a regulation soccer/lacrosse field, improved playgrounds, and expanded parking facilities.
In the fall of 1997, JRDS added a seventh-grade class. Eighth-grade courses were added in the fall of 1998. In 1999, the 13,000-square-foot Carrington Field House was completed.
In 2000, the B.F. Dodson Family Laboratory Greenhouse was added along with the Robins Lecture Hall and the Schenkel Science Exhibit Hall. During 2004 and 2005, twelve classrooms were renovated, and a multipurpose cafeteria was added.
Over two summers (2016 and 2017), the Varner Music and Arts Center renovation was completed, which included a large music classroom on the first floor and a pottery/art studio on the lower floor. In the fall of 2017, a 6,600-square-foot middle school wing was added, which included two science labs, two academic classrooms, plus office and meeting spaces. Also in the fall of 2017, a new playground was opened on the level of the athletic field. Over time, land purchases have increased the campus size to twelve acres.
