Red Bird Christian High School was founded in 1921 by the Evangelical Church. It was one of the original “Settlement Schools” of Appalachia. The Settlement School movement in Appalachia began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period the nation became intensely aware of the economic and educational deprivation of the Southern Highlander via numerous published newspaper and magazine articles. John C. Campbell’s book, The Southern Highlander and His Homeland, was published in 1921 and issued a clarion call for Church and private organizations in the North and Mid-West to come into the mountains and establish boarding schools and other mission projects.
Red Bird Settlement School early on became a boarding high school serving mountain people from isolated communities spread far and wide. The school and dormitories epitomized high quality secondary and college preparation education. Missionary teachers streamed to the school through the years making it a school comparable to the elitist private boarding institutions of the northeast.
The Evangelical Church soon united with the Brethren Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB). In 1968, the EUB Church united with the Methodists to become today’s United Methodist Church.
Since 1921 Red Bird Settlement School, now Red Bird Christian High School, provided high quality, intensely academic college preparation for its students. Among our alumni are many doctors, lawyers, pastors, teachers, business men and women, and so on. These have made invaluable contributions to society. In addition, our graduates are faithful supporters of the school.
Today, our mission is as significant as ever: “Red Bird Christian High School, guided by Jesus Christ, empowers individuals and advocates justice by providing exceptional college preparation, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership development in a safe environment.”
Red Bird Christian High School has a glorious past. It is a beloved institution where youth and young men and women can come to receive an exemplary education in small classroom settings with committed Christian teachers.
In 2010, due to financial exigencies and the recession, the dormitories closed. Thanks to alumni and friends, we now re-open in the year 2014. May we serve another 90 years! The girls’ dormitory is named “The Bonnie Adams Lawson Dormitory” to celebrate the benevolence and fund-raising of Bonnie and her husband Leonard Lawson. Both are supportive alumni of Red Bird Christian High School. Mrs. Lawson was a dormitory student throughout her high school years.
We welcome you to become a participant in this unique “Red Bird” experience. We seek a diverse student body; and reach out across the State, nation, and world for students.
Glory be to God and His Son, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ!