About

Leadership

Headmaster Welcome

Welcome to Pusch Ridge Christian Academy! As you explore our website, I hope you will get a sense of the unique PRCA educational community. 

PRCA students experience challenging academic rigor through a comprehensive classical education. This excellence extends to championship athletics, masterful fine arts performances, and other co-curricular expressions of our whole-student approach to learning. The Lord has blessed us with three beautiful campuses and a strategic vision to build on 25 years of investment in education.

Our mission is clear: to teach our students to become like Christ through a classical, Christian education within a covenantal community. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to sharing more of PRCA with you!

All for Christ and His Kingdom,  John Tyler, Head of Schools / Headmaster


 
 

2024-2025 School Board

List of 2 items.

  • Board Members

    The 2024-2025 school board is made up of the following men and women: 

    Wesley Mehl, Chairman of the Board
    Jason Howlett
    Honorable John Pelander, JD
    Michael Vick
    Chuck Wunder
    Olga Tarro
    David Adams
    Walter Hoge
    Reverend Rob Pendley, Catalina Foothills Church Representative

    Not all members are pictured. 
    Read More
  • Role and Make-Up of the Board

    Here are the guiding aspects of the PRCA school board, its make-up, responsibilities, and reporting structure.

    Role of the PRCA School Board

    The School Board is a policy governance board that deals with policies, strategy, mission, vision, and ends. It is responsible for three key areas: 
    1. Mission integrity (specifically, strategic oversight and governance)
    2. Fiscal oversight
    3. Headmaster hiring and support
    The day-to-day practices of PRCA are not the domain of the school board. While occasionally consulted about practices for feedback, the board does not make decisions about the day-to-day operations of the school. These are the domain of the Office of the Headmaster and the Administrative Leadership Team. The board works to equip and support PRCA leadership to lead well and advance our mission.
     
    School board representatives are closely connected to PRCA in many different ways. Many of us have children (or grandchildren) in the school. We wish to be closely connected to this covenantal community through participation in community events, prayer meetings, Bible studies, etc. However we also must be very careful to not step into the area of tactical execution at PRCA. Conflicts, concerns, or grievances should be addressed using the covenantal model provided to us in scripture. PRCA’s process (based on scripture) can be found on pages 28-29 of the parent/student handbook found in Lions Den. If conflicts, concerns, or grievances are not adequately addressed through that process, then escalation to the board chair is the final step of the process. This process exists because we respect our community tremendously and do not wish to complicate relationships by injecting board involvement into places where it is not needed.

    Make-up of the PRCA School Board

    The PRCA school board can have up to 12 members. We are a board that has diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. However, every single one of us is deeply committed to the mission of PRCA and obeying the Lord’s plan for this school. Board terms are three years, and board members can serve up to two consecutive terms before rotating off for at least one year. As PRCA is a ministry of Catalina Foothills Church (CFC), board candidates must be approved by the CFC Session before being invited to serve. Two-thirds of the school board must be CFC members in good standing, and the board chair and vice-chair also must be CFC members in good standing. One member of the board must be a current elder at CFC.

    There is not a specific set of qualifications for board service. Generally, the School Board looks for people who:
    • Love the Lord
    • Are passionate about all parts of PRCA's mission
    • Are wise
    • Are servant leaders with a heart to lead through policy, mission, vision, strategy, and ends
    • Have a connection to the school

Our Principals

    • Jordan Raikes

      High School Principal

    • Brian Rafacz

      Middle School Principal

    • Christine Moon

      Grammar Campus Principal

    • Jonathon Basurto

      South Campus Principal

Administrative Leadership

John Tyler, Head of Schools
Veronica Lopez, Chief Financial Officer
Jordan Raikes, High School Principal
Brian Rafacz, Middle School Principal
Christine Moon, Grammar School Principal
Jonathon Basurto, South Campus Principal
Eric Abrams, Assistant High School Principal
Jason Clapero, Dean of Academics
Heath Pulver, Director of Advancement
Valerie Turner, Director of Admissions
Jason Cann, Director of Operations
Kirstan Tobin, Director of Scholarships
Amy Garnand, Director of Athletics
Annette Hartman, Director of Hospitality
Jackie Picton, Director of Guidance
Jody Knox, Upper Campus Director of Administration
Tara McKinney, Grammar Campus Office Manager
Judi Poblano, South Campus Director of Administration
The mission of Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is to teach our students to become like Christ through a classical, Christian education within a covenantal community. 

Grammar Campus (grades K-5)

6450 N Camino Miraval, Tucson AZ 85718
P: 520.529.7080  F: 520.529.7140
School office hours: 7:45 AM - 3:30 PM

Upper Campus (grades 6-12)

9500 N Oracle Road, Tucson AZ 85704
P: 520.797.0107  F: 520.797.0598
School office hours: 7:45 AM - 4:00 PM

South Campus (grades K-3)

5951 S 12th Ave, Tucson AZ 85706
P: 520.413.7945  F: 520.467.3894
School office hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM