My name is Rick Kempton and I’m the Superintendent of Annapolis Area Christian School. I was privileged to join the AACS community in July of 2012. My wife Barbara and I spent our entire life in southern California, until God revealed a different plan. It’s been quite an adventure since.

AACS has been serving Christian families in Maryland since 1971, offering a comprehensive academic curriculum, a competitive athletic program, as well as outstanding fine arts in theater, choral, band, and visual arts. AACS serves more than 900 students in grades K-12 on four campuses in Anne Arundel County.

One of the most notable distinctions of Annapolis Area Christian School is that faith is alive and visible in every classroom, on every performance stage and athletic field, and in all other activities. We don’t just talk about faith, we live our faith and our students see this modeled and taught everyday. It makes for a very unique environment, where lifelong relationships are formed. AACS parents report that the Christ-centered community is one of the most valuable aspects of our school.

I’ve been working in the field of education for a long time and I know how important it is to have top-notch teachers. In fact, research shows that effective teachers are the most important factor contributing to student achievement. That’s why we are very careful about who we hire at AACS. Not only must they be excellent teachers and masters in their field, but they must also have a deep rooted faith in Jesus Christ. Their faith must be visible and life changing. We also look for teachers who display courageous humility and steadfast joy. These are unique qualities that impact our school culture. In addition to this, we stay focused on the changing world of education and all the new possibilities and needs. We use the term “healthy discontent” to describe our focus on continuous improvement.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Superintendent of AACS over these past years. Three priorities have guided my leadership style: Christ, kids, and culture. The reason is simple; it has to do with our mission.

Our mission statement is:

We engage students in an education of excellence enabling them to impact the world through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

This is a mission that’s about Christ and kids. Therefore, our culture must be aligned to these two priorities, to Biblical truth and what’s best for our kids. We are not here for our own personal purposes and needs. We’re here for Jesus Christ and we’re here for our kids.

Please take some time to explore our website to learn more about our school. I also encourage you to contact our Admissions Office to schedule a visit on one of our four campuses, or check out all of the opportunities to visit one of our four campuses. I know you’ll be impressed!


Rick Kempton
AACS Superintendent