School type Public Superintendent Traci Pierce Grades 9–12 Mascot Mustang Colors Green, Gold | Opened 1964 Principal Jane Todd Enrollment 1843 (May 2014) Phone +1 425-936-1800 | |
 | ||
Address 17272 NE 104th St, Redmond, WA 98052, USA District Lake Washington School District Similar Skyline High School, Woodinvil High School, Interlake High School, Inglemoor High School, Overlake School | ||
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. Redmond Middle School and Evergreen Middle School (grades 6–8) feed into Redmond High School (grades 9–12).
Contents
- Academics
- Performing arts
- Organizations
- Athletics
- School spirit
- Campus
- Notable alumni
- Notable faculty
- References
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 remodelling during the 1983-84 and 2011-2012 school years.
As of 2015, the principal of Redmond High School is Jane Todd and the three assistant principals are Lloyd Higgins, Margaret Kinney, and Jeff Larson. Jane Todd entered her position at the start of the 2006-07 school year, replacing the former principal Brian Hunter. Lloyd Higgins has worked as an associate principal at Redmond High School since 1997. Margaret Kinney started at RHS as a counselor before transitioning to assistant principal. Jeff Larson worked as a math teacher and boys basketball coach at RHS from 2004 until 2012 before taking a job as assistant principal.
Academics
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). The school consistently has graduation rates over 90%.
In 2013, Redmond High School produced 17 National Merit Semifinalists. The school has also had students become Semifinalists in both the Siemens Competition (2012) and the Intel Science Talent Search (2014).
Paula Ferguson, the orchestra director at RHS, received the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Award in 2013 for outstanding leadership and instructional skills. Sandy Hargraves, a math teacher, received the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching in 2009. 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 the 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.
Performing arts
The Performing Arts Center (otherwise known as the PAC) showcases performances by the RHS Concert and Jazz Choirs (Currently led by Amber Rogers), Wind and Jazz Ensembles, Symphonic Band (Led by Andrew Robertson), Chamber, String, and Symphonic Orchestras, and plays by Redmond Drama (Led by Misty Doty). 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. 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 sports such as Robotics and Bowling.
The academic teams at Redmond High School include Knowledge Bowl, Science Olympiad, Math, DECA, Mock Trial, Model UN, Orca Bowl, 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. In 2014, the Redmond High School Orca Bowl team also enjoyed great success placing second at the state level. 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 2016, 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.
Athletics
Redmond High School's sports department participates in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association's Kingco Athletic Conference, at the 4A level. Redmond offers 14 varsity sports as well as cheerleading and dance teams.
In Fall, Redmond offers Cross Country (Coed), Football (Boys), Tennis (Boys), Golf (Boys), Soccer (Girls), Swimming (Girls), and Volleyball (Girls).
In Winter, Redmond offers Basketball (Boys and Girls), Wrestling (Boys and Girls), Swimming (Boys), and Gymnastics (Girls).
In Spring, Redmond offers Track and Field (Coed), Soccer (Boys), Baseball (Boys), Golf (Girls), Badminton (Girls), Softball (Girls), and Tennis (Girls).
The annual football game against Eastlake is traditionally a favorite of fans because of Redmond's rivalry with Eastlake. (Eastlake, which opened in the fall of 1993, was attended by sophomores and juniors who had attended or would have attended Redmond)
Redmond High School is one of only two high schools in the world to produce two IQA World Cup Champions. They were Mark Hannah, '07, and Zachary Doleac, '08. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, of Sudbury, Massachusetts, is the other.
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. 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.
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!.
The school newspaper, The Blaze, is written by the Newspaper class and distributed in color on a monthly basis. 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. The school's homeroom announcement videos, called "Good Morning RHS", relay information to students about sporting events, club announcements, and other school functions.
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 grass fields, 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.