Riverdale Baptist School (RBS) is a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

Christian school A Christian school is a Parochial school, religious school run on Christianity, Christian principles or by a Christian organization. These schools often include religious education and worship in their curriculum. They may also have a distinct Ch ...

located in

Upper Marlboro, Maryland Upper Marlboro, officially the Town of Upper Marlboro, is the county seat of Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population within the town limits was 652, although Greater Upper ...

, serving students from

Pre-K Pre-kindergarten (also called pre-K or PK) is a voluntary classroom-based preschool program for children below the age of five in the United States, Canada, Turkey and Greece (when kindergarten starts). It may be delivered through a preschool ...

to 12. It is located in

Prince George's County, Maryland Prince George's County (often shortened to PG County or PG) is located in the U.S. state of Maryland bordering the eastern portion of Washington, D.C. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, the population was 967,201, making it ...

, and is accredited through

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, also referred to as the Middle States Association or MSA, is an accreditor in the United States. Historically, it has accredited schools in the Mid-Atlantic states region of the northeas ...

History

Riverdale Baptist School was founded in 1971 as a daughter ministry of Riverdale

Baptist Church Baptists are a denomination within Protestant Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers ( believer's baptism) and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches generally subscribe to the doctrines of ...

under the leadership of Reverend Fitzpatrick. In its first year, RBS had an enrollment of 188 students in kindergarten through sixth grade and was renting facilities from a local Catholic school. The school expanded by purchasing 156 acres of land on Largo Road in

, in 1974. The educational building opened in 1975 with the 2,100 seat church sanctuary following shortly thereafter. Over the years, RBS has added a basketball and volleyball gymnasium featuring a weight room and film room, baseball, and softball diamonds.

Notable alumni

Tariq Castro-Fields Tariq Quinton Castro-Fields (born January 14, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected b ...

, NFL Super Bowl Champion * John Hightower (American football) , Professional Football Player * Shakira Austin, WNBA Player, basketball center for the Israeli Elitzur Ramla *

Michael Beasley Michael Paul Beasley Jr. (born January 9, 1989) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for Kansas State University for one ...

, Professional Basketball Player * Christian Darrisaw, Professional Football Player * Olandis Gary, Professional Football Player; Head Coach, RBS Football * Tianna Hawkins, WNBA Player * Zion Johnson, Professional Football Player * Jonquel Jones, WNBA Player & 2021 MVP, current power forward/center for

New York Liberty The New York Liberty are an American professional basketball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Liberty compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Confer ...

* Zech McPhearson, Professional Football Player * Chinanu Onuaku, Basketball player *

Nolan Smith Nolan Derek Smith (born July 25, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player and assistant coach for Memphis Tigers men's basketball, Memphis. He played college basketball for Duke before being drafted 21st overall by the Portlan ...

, Professional Basketball Player * Wanisha Smith, WNBA Player * Devin Sweetney, Professional Basketball Player

References

Baptist schools in the United States Baptist Christianity in Maryland Christian schools in Maryland Private elementary schools in Maryland Private middle schools in Maryland Private high schools in Maryland Schools in Prince George's County, Maryland Preparatory schools in Maryland 1971 establishments in Maryland Educational institutions established in 1971 {{Maryland-school-stub