Rio Rancho High School

History

Established in 1997, much of the money to build RRHS came from the Intel Corporation. Most of its students came from nearby Cibola High School in Albuquerque.

In 2008, due to overcrowding Rio Rancho Public Schools built the new V. Sue Cleveland High School, which opened in August 2009. In 2009, incoming 9th through 11th grade students who resided south of Northern Blvd began attend Rio Rancho High School and all residing north of Northern Blvd began to attend V. Sue Cleveland High School. The class of 2010 continued to attend Rio Rancho High School regardless of where they resided in Rio Rancho.

President Barack Obama hosted a Town Hall meeting at the high school on May 20, 2009 regarding credit card reform.

Academics

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) testing with a new school grading formula, which took effect for the 2010-11 school years. The grade is calculated using many forms of testing, and includes graduation rates.

In popular culture

Rio Rancho High School was used as filming location for the TV series Breaking Bad, being portrayed in the show as J. P. Wynne High School.

The campus was also used as a film location in the 2011 movie Fright Night.

Notable alumni

Athletics

RRHS competes in the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA), as a class 6A school in District 1, which includes: Cibola High School, Volcano Vista High School, V. Sue Cleveland High School and Santa Fe High School.

As of 2016, RRHS has won 39 State Championships in the 5A/6A division.

(Year) - indicates Dual Meet State Champions also

Rio Rancho State Activity Championships

Rio Rancho High School offers a variety of interscholastic activities also sponsored by the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) in cooperation with other outside organizations to enhance a studies high school experience. Activities include: Athletic Training Challenge, Bowling, Chess, Choir, Concert Band, DECA Marketing Education, Drama, English Expo, FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), FFA, JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps), Mock Trial, Orchestra, Science Fair, Science Olympiad, Speech and Debate, and Student Council

RRHS has captured 11 State Championships, all in 5A/6A.

Athletic Training Challenge

The Athletic Training Challenge was started by the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) in conjunction with the New Mexico Athletic Trainer's Association (NMATA) to recognize Athletic Training as a sanctioned activity within New Mexico Schools.

DECA Marketing Education

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. At the 2013 State Conference RRHS was awarded the 1st place Chapter Banner.

Marching Band

Rio Rancho High School's Marching Band competes annually in the Zia Marching Band Fiesta which is essentially the New Mexico state championship, as well as a prestigious regional event for marching bands. There were 32 bands in competition in four size divisions.

RRHS has captured 1 Grand Championship

Rugby

High School rugby in New Mexico is governed by New Mexico Youth Rugby. NMYR is a registered non-profit and all volunteer sports organization dedicated to the development of youth and high school rugby for both boys and girls in New Mexico.

RRHS has captured 2 State Championships.

Ice Hockey

High School hockey in New Mexico is governed by the Land of Enchantment USA Hockey Affiliate and operated on behalf of LOEAHA by the New Mexico Interscholastic Ice Hockey League.

RRHS has captured 3 State Championships.