As one of the first Americans born in East Africa, and an alumnus of the school, he was uniquely prepared for the job. In 1933, Herb Downing was called to head RVA. Westervelt), was forced to leave the field due to poor health. These years were hard for RVA, as the dangers of wartime sea travel prevented staff recruitment, and a number of epidemics caused intermittent school closures. Just as WWI broke out, Miss Hope (now Mrs. For years, many students’ fiercest ambition was winning the house cup. The houses, named after explorers Stanley and Livingstone, competed against each other academically and on the sports field. She introduced RVA to British sports such as Rounders and Rugby, and instituted the two-house system. After Miss Hope, the next teacher who felt called to RVA was Miss Muriel Perrott. Most missionaries had come to Africa to preach the gospel, not to educate missionary children. In August of 1909, President Teddy Roosevelt (who was in Africa for a hunting trip) laid the cornerstone of the Kiambogo building.įor much of the early history of the school, teachers were difficult to find. Their ambitious plans included dormitory and classroom space for up to 40 students. Hurlburt and Miss Hope drew up plans for a school that could accommodate an influx of missionaries, and allow the school to grow beyond its then maximum enrollment of 10. Butterworth, to establish a school for missionary children. In 1908, an American donated funds in the name of his stepmother, Mrs. She agreed, and the school that would become Rift Valley Academy was born. The first students met in a missionary home until the chapel building was finished, giving them their first classroom. In 1906, faced with the dilemma of abandoning either his children or his missionary calling, Charles Hurlburt asked new missionary Josephine Hope to teach his children. The school gained national recognition in the arts and athletics, and global recognition in academics.Īt present, RVA serves about 500 students from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe, and the school continues its march toward spiritual vibrancy and academic excellence. Subsequent decades saw continued growth in enrollment and facilities, as well as a focus on creating a nurturing environment for RVA’s students.
In 1967, under Roy Entwistle’s leadership, RVA was the first school in Africa to receive American accreditation. The school established athletic, music, and drama programs, and a spirit of educational excellence emerged. Kenya’s independence in 1963 burgeoned the missionary population and launched an era of growth at RVA. RVA expanded its facilities and extended education through the 12th grade, hosting its first graduating class in 1950. They pleaded for teachers and funding, recognizing that the school was vital to parents’ ability to stay on the field. Herb and Mildred Downing took up the mantle of leadership during this lean period. They soon drew up plans for dormitory and classroom space, and in 1909 President Teddy Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of the main building, Kiambogo.Įarly decades were marked by difficulty recruiting staff, further complicated by World War I and later II. He asked new missionary Josephine Hope to teach his children right here in Kenya. As Charles Hurlburt faced the dilemma of either relinquishing his children to education in England or abandoning his missionary calling, he devised a surprising solution: he’d keep both.
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