About River of Life School

Our Mission & Beliefs

River of Life School (ROLCS) exists to provide a Christ centered education to all children regardless of their socio-economic situation. ROLCS celebrates the diversity of the body of Christ and equips children to serve God, people, and creation to their fullest potential.

Together, we rise!

Our History

Our Team

Career Opportunities

Philosophy

As a distinctive Christ centered school located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, a multicultural urban setting, we are nondenominational and evangelical in nature. Our purpose is to provide a transformative Biblical education to children who may not normally have the opportunity. Tuition is based on a percentage of family income rather than a fixed rate to allow for a diverse socio-economic student body. We also work extensively with the children’s families to help them reach their full potential in Christ.

Students at ROL will learn to think creatively, worship enthusiastically, analyze critically, live wisely, and love unconditionally, so they may transform the world around them for the glory of God. Our goal is for students to meet or exceed national and State of Michigan academic standards.

ROL teacher with a group of smiling students

ROL is committed to an environment of:

Genuine biblical knowledge: through weekly Bible studies which make connections to their everyday life and faith walk with Jesus.
Passionate prayer: beginning each day with corporate prayer, students learn a variety of ways to pray and communicate with God, and how to pray for others when in need.
Enthusiastic worship: students participating in bi-weekly school wide worship times where they learn to express their hearts for God in worship.
Individualized academics: committed to classrooms that differentiate for the unique needs of each learner through small groups and one-on-one lessons for all core subjects.
Small class sizes: approximately 15-20 students per classroom.
Collaborative learning: students learn to work with others in every subject area. Students learn to explore, inquire and develop critical thinking skills.
Leadership development: students learn how to be followers of Jesus, share His love and truth, and serve within their community.

Our History

River of Life Christian School was established in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 2014, under the leadership of Ms. Jessica AcMoody. Following Ms. AcMoody’s tenure, Mr. Donald Pearson served as the Principal through the spring of 2022 and then filled the position of River of Life Superintendent in the fall of 2022 through the spring of 2023. Mrs. Mallory Nicholson, who had served as a classroom teacher for four years at ROLCS, transitioned into the role of Principal in the fall of 2023 and continues as our current leader.

River of Life School — archive photo from the existing riveroflifeschool.org gallery

Phase 1

The Genesis of ROLCS

Jessica AcMoody, the River of Life School founder, felt God’s call to plant a Christian school in Benton Harbor, Michigan while still teaching in another city. Through much prayer, effort, and kingdom support, her God-given vision to plant a Christian school in the city of Benton Harbor was realized in 2014. It was initially housed in several welcoming churches before moving into its present building, which was the previous home of St. Matthew’s Lutheran School, in the fall of 2017. Ms. AcMoody’s God-given vision of opening River of Life Christian School has since blessed numerous young people and their families.

Phase 2

New Leadership at the Helm

Following Ms. AcMoody’s tenure, Mr. Donald Pearson served as the Principal from fall 2019 through the spring of 2022 and then filled the position of River of Life Superintendent in the fall of 2022 through the spring of 2023. Mr. Pearson was a veteran educator in the Benton Harbor community, having served for decades as a teacher and as a school administrator, with the majority of those years spent in the Benton Harbor Area Schools district. One of the major accomplishments of Mr. Pearson’s tenure included the addition of a school-wide breakfast and lunch program for ROL’s students.

Phase 3

The Mission Continues

Mrs. Mallory Nicholson first began serving as a teacher at River of Life in the fall of 2019. With a strong work ethic and a gift for meeting the individual needs of young learners, the results of her efforts did not go unnoticed. Capitalizing on her leadership skills, she filled a double role of classroom teacher and ROLCS Assistant Principal beginning in the fall of 2022. She then transitioned to the role of School Principal in 2023. She continues to serve in that role today and has led RoL into middle school- and then a high school- beginning in the fall of 2026.

Our Team

Open Positions

Apply to Work at River of Life

Leadership

Mrs. Mallory Nicholson

Principal

Mr. Thomas Gamble

Assistant Principal / Director of Development

Faculty

Mrs. Ana Kelly

1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Kimual Brown

3rd/4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Kietsten Zywietz

Middle School Math Teacher

Student Support

Mrs. Ashlee Williams

Kindergarten-4th Grade Interventionist

Mrs. Shayleen Burgoyne

Lower Elementary Reading Interventionist

Grandma Janie

Foster Grandmother

Grandma Ann

Foster Grandmother

Grandma Cates

Foster Grandmother / Kitchen Aide

Staff

Ms. Vanessa Martinez

Administrative Assistant

Ms. Ann Steward

Business Manager

Mr. Willie Hall

Custodian