River Ridge

About River Ridge

In the 1980s, a group of educators and parents grew concerned with the state of American education. They saw a system failing to impart foundational skills in language, math, and logical thinking. This dissatisfaction led the People of Praise Christian community, including co-founder Dr. Kerry Koller, to establish a new model. Their playbook wasn't for software or hardware, but for shaping minds. The first Trinity School opened in Indiana in 1981, setting the stage for its next chapter. This led to the founding of Trinity School at River Ridge in Minnesota in 1987. The new venture began its life in a Minneapolis church, driven by a clear mission: to provide an extraordinary education focused on the classics, coherent writing, and a deep understanding of cultural history. The school's journey was marked by steady growth, necessitating a move to a larger Bloomington campus in 1991. This expansion was a direct result of its successful model attracting more families. The most significant turning point came in 2008 when, instead of taking a funding round, the school made a different kind of investment. It moved into a brand-new, custom-built campus in Eagan. This event solidified its presence and signaled its long-term stability. While there was no IPO or acquisition, the school's value was validated through repeated accolades, including being named a National Blue Ribbon School three times, a rare achievement for a private high school in the state. River Ridge's story is one of scaling not through venture capital, but through conviction and consistent execution on a core educational thesis.