Redmond High School (Washington)

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Redmond High School
Inner Courtyard With Solar Panels.jpg
Central Courtyard in 2014
Address
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
17272 Northeast 104th Street[1]

Redmond
,
Washington
98052

United States
Information
School typePublic
Opened1964[4]
School districtLake Washington School District
SuperintendentDr. Jane Stavem [2]
PrincipalJill VanderVeer[3]
Teaching staff101.31 (FTE)[6]
Grades9–12[1]
Enrollment2,087 (2019–20)[6]
Student to teacher ratio20.60[6]
LanguageEnglish
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Dark Green & Gold   [1]
Athletics conferenceKingco 4A[5]
MascotMustang
RivalsEastlake High School[citation needed]
NewspaperThe Blaze
Feeder schoolsRedmond Middle School
Evergreen Middle School
Timberline Middle School
Graduates94%[7]
Websitewww.lwsd.org/school/rhs

Redmond High School (RHS) is a four-year public high school located in Redmond, Washington, one of four high schools in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Opened in 1964, Redmond High School is the second oldest high school in the Lake Washington School District.[8] Redmond Middle School and Evergreen Middle School (grades 6–8) feed into Redmond High School (grades 9–12).

Redmond High School sits atop Education Hill in Redmond, in an updated building which opened in 2003 with a two-story structure[3] that features many environmentally friendly energy alternatives such as a large photovoltaic array and a state-of the-art geothermal heating system.[9][10] The original building opened in 1964 and underwent extensive remodelling during the 1983–84 and 2011-2012 school years.[11]

As of 2020, the principal of Redmond High School is Jill VanderVeer and the three assistant principals are Andrew Hosford, Rob Jones, and Colette Roche. Jill VanderVeer entered her position at the start of the 2019-20 school year, replacing the former principal Jane Todd, who was principal from 2006 to 2019, replacing Brian Hunter, who was principal until 2006.[12]

Academics[]

Main walk in front of RHS
Front of RHS Main Building
Staff/Student Front Parking Lot

Redmond High School offers classes throughout a diverse range of academic and artistic subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, World History, American History, Physical Education, Photography, Studio Art, and Anatomy & Physiology. Students have the option of taking Regular, Honors, or Advanced Placement (AP) classes in most key subject areas. RHS consistently has strong showings on standardized tests including Measures of Student Progress (MSP) and High School Proficiency Exams (HSPEs).[13] The school consistently has graduation rates over 90%.[14]

In 2013, Redmond High School produced 17 National Merit Semifinalists.[13] The school has also had students become Semifinalists in both the Siemens Competition (2012)[15] and the Intel Science Talent Search (2014).[16]

Paula Ferguson, the orchestra director at RHS, received the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Award in 2012 for outstanding leadership and instructional skills.[17] Sandy Hargraves, a math teacher, received the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching in 2009.[18] Brian Anderson, an English teacher, received the Golden Apple Award in 2006 for excellence in teaching.[19]

Mike Town, the former AP Environmental Science teacher, and five students were presented the by President George W. Bush in 2008 for leading the "Cool Schools Program," which resulted in the reduction of over $550,000 of energy and waste costs for the district, through conservation measures.[20] Town also received the Green Prize in Public Education by the NEA for the program, which has prevented the emission of 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, and has since included over 150 schools worldwide.[21]

In June 2019, Redmond High School won several awards in its participation in Microsoft's annual Hunt the Wumpus competition. One team took home the first place trophy for "Most Innovative.". Another team won second place for "Best Implementation." These groups worked over a period of several months in preparation for this annual event.[22]

Performing arts[]

The Performing Arts Center (otherwise known as the PAC) showcases performances by the RHS Concert and Jazz Choirs (formerly directed by Jackson Pinder, currently directed by Julian Fajardo), the Concert and Jazz Bands (currently directed by Andrew Robertson), Chamber, String, and Symphonic Orchestras (currently directed by Paula Ferguson), and musicals and plays by Redmond Drama (led by Danika Drake).[23] Redmond's Music Department attends competitions and festivals throughout the region annually, including the PLU Orchestra Invitational, and the 'Music in the Parks' festival at Disneyland and Silverwood Theme Parks. In 2009 and 2013, Redmond High School orchestras performed at Carnegie Hall, and they returned joined with the Jazz Ensemble in 2016.[24] Several years, students in the band program have been selected to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The PAC is also the performing venue for the Eastside Symphony.[25]

Organizations[]

Over 44 student organizations exist at Redmond High School, ranging from ethnic groups such as Latinos Unidos and Asian Student Association, to sports such as Robotics and Bowling.[26]

The academic teams at Redmond High School include Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, Math, DECA, Mock Trial, Model UN, Orca Bowl,[27] Programming (or Computer Science), and Speech and Debate. RHS Knowledge Bowl teams are known for excellence at the state level and consistently place at state competitions, most recently winning 7th and 8th place at the state tournament.[28] In 2014, the Redmond High School Orca Bowl team also enjoyed great success placing second at the state level.[29] The RHS Model UN debuted at the Washington State Model UN (WASMUN) Conference at Seattle University in 2011. The RHS Feminism club made their debut in 2014, followed by the RHS ACLU club in 2017.

The DECA Class also operates the Student Store, and since 2008, has sent at least 10 participants to the International Career Development Conference per year.[30][31][32][33] The Student Store closed in 2014.

Athletics[]

Redmond High School's sports department participates in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association's Kingco Athletic Conference, at the 4A level. Redmond had previously been a member of the Kingco 4A level from 1997 to 2015, was moved to 3A for the 2016-2018 cycle after 22 schools chose to opt up to 4A, and returned to 4A for the 2018-2019 season.[5] Redmond offers 14 varsity sports as well as cheerleading and dance teams.

Sports offered:

School spirit[]

RHS School Logo

Redmond High School's mascot is the Mustang, and the school colors are predominantly dark green and gold, though in most ceremonies and events black is also included. A customary tradition against the only real rival of RHS, Eastlake High School, is to completely wear black at the "Black Out" sporting events. Fan participation cheers are also a tradition at the games. A spectator 'wave', dubbed the 'Roller Coaster' and a group jump known as 'Truckin' are favorites.[citation needed]

Redmond High School Pep Band is organized yearly to play at home football and basketball games. Three students (one for football and two for basketball) are selected as Pep Band Directors, though only the football director is known as Drum Major. New and popular songs are added by request of the students and staff. The current fight song (2003-) is set to the Blazing Saddles theme, with lyrics written by band director Andy Robertson. The former fight song was set to the University of Wisconsin–Madison's fight song, On, Wisconsin!.[citation needed]

The school newspaper, The Blaze, is written by the Newspaper class and distributed in color. In 2014, a group of graduating seniors distributed a parody of The Blaze titled "The Laze" as a senior prank, facetiously emulating the newspaper's style and tendencies.[citation needed]

Campus[]

The Redmond High School campus is centered in one large building containing academic classrooms, a student cafeteria, a central courtyard, three gymnasiums, and a performing arts center. The B Wing extension, added in 2012, includes several additional classrooms. Several portable classrooms are also set up in close proximity to the main building.

For athletics, Redmond High School maintains Walter L. Seabloom field which accommodates both football and track & field events. The campus has two additional open , baseball and softball fields, and six tennis courts. For aquatic events, Redmond High School utilizes Redmond Pool which is across the street from the main campus.

  • Outside view of student cafeteria

  • RHS Performing Arts Center

  • RHS central student courtyard

  • Outside of new B Wing

  • Front of RHS during winter

Notable alumni[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Redmond High School Web Site, archived from the original on 2005-02-13, retrieved 2008-05-13
  2. ^ http://www.lwsd.org/About/District-Admin/Pages/Superintendent-Bio.aspx
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Seattle Times School Guide", The Seattle Times, retrieved 2008-05-13
  4. ^ "Redmond Reporter, May 23, 2014".
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Redmond High to compete in class 3A sports starting next fall". 14 January 2016.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Redmond High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  7. ^ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/washington/districts/lake-washington-school-district/redmond-high-20956
  8. ^ Pak, Samantha (2014-05-23), Redmond Reporter
  9. ^ Whitely, Peyton (2008-08-04), Seattle Times
  10. ^ Redmond Reporter
  11. ^ [1], RHS Addition.
  12. ^ "Redmond High School". 2020-02-07. Archived from the original on 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b http://www.lwsd.org/News/News-and-Announcements/Pages/Thirty-two-LWSD-students-named-National-Merit-Semifinalists.aspx
  14. ^ http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=1512&OrgType=4&reportLevel=School&year=2013-14&yrs=2013-14
  15. ^ "Redmond High senior Sophia Xu named semifinalist in math, science and technology competition". 16 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Redmond high's Akker named national semifinalist for Intel Science Talent Search Competition". 24 January 2014.
  17. ^ "Redmond High's Ferguson honored by Seahawks and Symetra". 13 February 2013.
  18. ^ "Redmond High math teacher wins distinguished award". 7 December 2009.
  19. ^ 2006 KCTS Golden Apple Award Winners, 2006, retrieved 2015-01-02
  20. ^ US Environmental Protection Agency
  21. ^ Redmond Reporter
  22. ^ "Posts - Lake Washington School District". www.lwsd.org. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  23. ^ Redmond Drama Boosters
  24. ^ News From The Schools
  25. ^ Eastside Symphony
  26. ^ RHS Clubs and Organizations
  27. ^ http://wsg.washington.edu/education/events/orca.html
  28. ^ "Redmond high Knowledge Bowl teams compete at state". 24 March 2014.
  29. ^ "Redmond High students make a splash at Orca Bowl". 4 March 2014.
  30. ^ LWSD News From the Schools 2008
  31. ^ Redmond Reporter 2009
  32. ^ Redmond Reporter 2010
  33. ^ Redmond Reporter 2011
  34. ^ http://pac-12.com/article/2013/05/29/baseball-postseason-honors-announced
  35. ^ 1984 Redmond High School Year Book
  36. ^ "Team USA, ROB MUNN". Retrieved 22 January 2020. High School: Redmond High School (Redmond, Wash.) ‘08
  37. ^ "THE BAND – Queensrÿche".
  38. ^ "Svitak and Torres named Redmond Rotary students of the month". Redmond Reporter. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2020.

External links[]

Coordinates: 47°41′43″N 122°06′24″W / 47.69528°N 122.10667°W / 47.69528; -122.10667

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