Redmond High School (Washington) Explained

Redmond High School
Address:17272 Northeast 104th Street
Zipcode:98052
Country:United States
Superintendent:Jon Holmen [1]
Principal:Jill VanderVeer
Opened:1964[2]
Campus Type:Suburban
Athletics Conference:Kingco 4A[3]
Grades:9–12
Colors:Dark green & gold
Newspaper:The Blaze
Rivals:Eastlake High School[4]
Teaching Staff:105.50
Ratio:21.02
Feeder Schools:Redmond Middle School
Evergreen Middle School
Timberline Middle School
Graduates:94%[5]
Enrollment:2,218 (2022–23)[6]

Redmond High School (RHS) is a four-year public high school located in Redmond, Washington, United States. It is 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.

Redmond High School sits atop Education Hill in Redmond, in an updated building which opened in 2003 with a two-story structure that features many environmentally friendly energy alternatives such as a large photovoltaic array and a state-of the-art geothermal heating system. The original building opened in 1964 and underwent extensive remodeling during the 1983–1984 and 2011-2012 school years.[7]

Academics

Redmond High School offers classes in 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).[8] The school consistently has graduation rates over 90%.[9]

In 2013, Redmond High School produced 17 National Merit Semifinalists.[8] The school has also had students become Semifinalists in both the Siemens Competition (2012)[10] and the Intel Science Talent Search (2014).[11]

Paula Ferguson, the orchestra director at RHS, received the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Award in 2012 for outstanding leadership and instructional skills.[12] Sandy Hargraves, a math teacher, received the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching in 2009.[13] Brian Anderson, an English teacher, received the Golden Apple Award in 2006 for excellence in teaching.

Mike Town, the former AP Environmental Science teacher, and five students were presented with Presidential Environmental Youth Awards 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. 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.

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.[14]

Performing arts

The Performing Arts Center (otherwise known as the PAC) showcases performances by the RHS Concert and Jazz Choirs, the Concert and Jazz Bands, Chamber, String, and Symphonic Orchestras, and musicals and plays by Redmond Drama. The drama department participates in the 24/7 Project, which is an improvisation speed-playwright event.[15] Redmond's Music Department attends competitions and festivals throughout the region annually, including the PLU Orchestra Invitational[16] 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. In 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.

Organizations

Over 44 student organizations exist at Redmond High School, ranging from ethnic groups such as Latinos Unidos and Asian Student Association, to activities such as robotics and bowling.

The school newspaper, The Blaze, was started in the 1960s.[17]

The academic teams at Redmond High School include Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, Math, DECA, Mock Trial, Model UN, Orca Bowl,[18] Programming (or Computer Science), Speech and Debate, and Nuclear Science. 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.[19] In 2014, the Redmond High School Orca Bowl team also enjoyed great success placing second at the state level.[20] The RHS Model UN debuted at the Washington State Model UN (WASMUN[21]) 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. The Student Store closed in 2014, and reopened in 2023.

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.[3] Redmond offers 14 varsity sports as well as cheerleading and dance teams.

Sports offered:

School spirit

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. During events, students participate in the tradition of the "roller coaster," similar to the wave.[22]

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. The Pep Band was led by Andy Robertson, an inductee of Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame and conductor of the Washington Wind Symphony, from 1991 until his death in 2022.[23] [24] [25]

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 football and track & field events. The campus has two additional open grass fields, baseball and softball fields, and six tennis courts. For aquatic events, Redmond High School utilizes Redmond Pool, across the street from the main campus.

Notable alumni

External links

47.6953°N -122.1067°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Superintendent Bio. Lake Washington School District . 2024-02-18 .
  2. Web site: Redmond Reporter, May 23, 2014. 23 May 2014 .
  3. Web site: Redmond High to compete in class 3A sports starting next fall. 14 January 2016.
  4. News: School officials are investigating brawl that broke out at restaurant after Redmond, Eastlake prep basketball game . 25 May 2024 . Redmond Reporter . 11 January 2013.
  5. Web site: Redmond High School in Redmond, WA . US News Best High Schools . 10 August 2023.
  6. Web site: Redmond High. National Center for Education Statistics. March 1, 2024.
  7. http://www.lwsd.org/For-Community/School-Construction/Modernization/Pages/Redmond-High-Addition.aspx RHS Addition
  8. Web site: Thirty-two LWSD students named National Merit Semifinalists - Lake Washington School District . www.lwsd.org . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140117131005/http://www.lwsd.org/News/News-and-Announcements/Pages/Thirty-two-LWSD-students-named-National-Merit-Semifinalists.aspx . 2014-01-17.
  9. Web site: Home - Washington State Report Card .
  10. Web site: Redmond High senior Sophia Xu named semifinalist in math, science and technology competition. 16 April 2012.
  11. Web site: Redmond high's Akker named national semifinalist for Intel Science Talent Search Competition. 24 January 2014.
  12. Web site: Redmond High's Ferguson honored by Seahawks and Symetra. 13 February 2013.
  13. Web site: Redmond High math teacher wins distinguished award. 7 December 2009.
  14. Web site: Posts - Lake Washington School District. www.lwsd.org. en-US. 2020-02-07.
  15. Web site: Leff . Howard . April 12, 2017 . Fast Times at Redmond High . 2024-05-24 . The Source Weekly - Bend . en.
  16. http://www.plu.edu/~symphony/plu-orchestra/home.html PLU Orchestra Invitational
  17. Web site: 2015-09-10 . Students keep journalism ablaze at RHS . 2024-05-24 . Redmond Reporter . en-US.
  18. Web site: NOAA Science Camp - K-12 Events and Opportunities - Education - Washington Sea Grant . wsg.washington.edu . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070704025007/http://wsg.washington.edu/education/events/orca.html . 2007-07-04.
  19. Web site: Redmond high Knowledge Bowl teams compete at state. 24 March 2014.
  20. Web site: Redmond High students make a splash at Orca Bowl. 4 March 2014.
  21. http://www.wasmun.org/ WASMUN
  22. Web site: Sioson . Fernando . 2011-06-16 . Redmond Grads Ride into the Future . 2024-05-24 . Patch . en.
  23. Web site: Hall of Fame: Andy Robertson . 2024-05-24 . Washington Music Educators Association . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2015-04-20 . Redmond High drum major headed to state competition . 2024-05-24 . Redmond Reporter . en-US.
  25. Web site: Remembering the life of Andrew Robertson . 2024-05-24 . obituaries.seattletimes.com . en.
  26. Web site: Hanson . Lars . Washington Gave Three-Star LB Carson Bruener "Best Chance to Excel" . Rivals.com . 22 June 2019 . 1 June 2024.
  27. http://pac-12.com/article/2013/05/29/baseball-postseason-honors-announced Baseball postseason honors announced
  28. Web site: Kugiya . Hugo . September 26, 1990 . Redmond Sophomore Is Natural On Golf Course . 2024-05-24 . archive.seattletimes.com.
  29. Web site: Mosher . Terry . June 3, 2014 . D'Amico traded baseball for golf . 2024-05-24 . www.kitsapsun.com . en.
  30. News: RALEY . By DAN . Jeff D'Amico: A career of comebacks . 2024-05-24 . Seattle Post-Intelligencer . en.
  31. Web site: Wittenmyer . Gordon . May 31, 1996 . Male Athlete Of The Year / Brian Falkenborg, Redmond High School -- Falkenborg Passes All Tests For Redmond -- 6-6 Mustang A Standout In Two Sports . 2024-05-24 . archive.seattletimes.com.
  32. Web site: Christianson . Bill . 2012-04-30 . Redmond grad Guyton drafted in seventh round of NFL draft . 2024-05-24 . Redmond Reporter . en-US.
  33. 1984 Redmond High School Year Book
  34. Web site: May 23, 1995 . Kingco Baseball All-Stars -- Newport Lands Five On All-Star Team . 2024-05-24 . archive.seattletimes.com.
  35. Web site: Wittenmyer . Gordon . August 31, 1995 . Kingco Conference Golf -- Fear Drives Newport To Succeed -- Self- Destruction Only Worry For Experienced Knights . 2024-05-24 . archive.seattletimes.com.
  36. Web site: From Third Base to Center Stage . 2024-05-24 . Westmont College . en.
  37. Web site: Borzilleri . Meri-Jo . December 17, 2009 . Lucky Guy . 2024-05-24 . Seattle Met . en-US.
  38. Web site: 2009-11-05 . Redmond native seeks Olympic berth after overcoming injuries . 2024-05-24 . Redmond Reporter . en-US.
  39. Web site: Team USA, ROB MUNN . https://web.archive.org/web/20160718054802/http://www.teamusa.org/us-rowing/athletes/Rob-Munn . dead . July 18, 2016 . 22 January 2020 . High School: Redmond High School (Redmond, Wash.) ‘08.
  40. Web site: Niedenfuer is Dragging a Gopher Ball and Chain : Homers Have So Beset Dodger Reliever That Not Only Clark but Even Flannery Must be Feared . . 27 June 1986 .
  41. Web site: Tom Niedenfuer Statcast, Visuals & Advanced Metrics | MLB.com. baseballsavant.com. 10 August 2023.
  42. Web site: THE BAND – Queensrÿche. 16 January 2023 .
  43. Web site: Sisco shifts to Eastlake, may play baseball only | the Seattle Times .
  44. Web site: Svitak and Torres named Redmond Rotary students of the month . Redmond Reporter . 5 June 2020 . 18 December 2012.
  45. Web site: Locals rock out at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin . 13 November 2015 .