Riverbend High School

Academic Rigor and Course Selection

Students at Riverbend High School are encouraged to select courses that will provide them with an intellectual challenge and will prepare them for future educational and career pursuits. The Four-Year Educational Plan is developed in 8th grade and reviewed yearly with the student and parent during the annual scheduling conference conducted by the counselor.

Course Load

Students are considered full-time when scheduled into classes that total at least five units of credit. Any exceptions must be approved by the superintendent of schools. Students must have already passed all the Standards of Learning (SOL) End of Course tests required for their diploma option before the principal will recommend early release unless the student is involved in Cooperative Education classes.

High School Courses Taken in Middle School

Middle school students that have successfully completed a high school credit course, will have the credit earned apply to satisfy both credit and course requirements of graduation. The grades earned are included when calculating the student’s grade point average. Immediately following the completion of the course, parents have the opportunity to request that the credit and grade be removed from the permanent record for a high school course taken during the middle school years.

Advanced Placement Program

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program gives students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies while still at Riverbend. Upon completion of the courses, students may receive advanced placement and/or credit when entering college. Academically oriented students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Advanced Placement Program. Students may take these courses at high school or through the Virtual Advanced Placement School. Advanced Placement (AP) courses follow the suggested College Board course curriculum and serve to prepare students for the AP examinations in May. AP Courses listed below are offered based on enrollment. Grades earned carry weighted credit in the GPA calculation:

Dual Enrollment Courses

Through an agreement with Germanna Community College, Spotsylvania County offers dual enrollment courses that meet both high school and college course requirements as well as providing the student with the opportunity to earn college credit. Students take these courses at the high school campus. Grades earned in Dual Enrollment courses carry weighted credit in GPA calculations.

Commonwealth Governor’s School

The Commonwealth Governor's School is a half-day academic year governor’s school that provides gifted and highly motivated high school students from Spotsylvania, Stafford, and King George counties with a challenging, differentiated, and interdisciplinary program in science, mathematics, social sciences and English. Courses taken at CGS are identified on the transcript and weighted if AP or Dual Enrollment courses. Riverbend High School hosts one of the six CGS sites.

Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center

Although many career and technical courses are offered at each high school, students may elect to participate in the programs offered at the Career and Technical Center that are divided into two areas. The Trade/Technical and the Health/Medical/Protective Services. Each course is a four period block program usually offered in a two year sequence beginning in the junior year. Students attend academic courses at their base school while enrolled at the CTC.

Athletics

Riverbend High School is part of the AAA Commonwealth District and offers volleyball, boys and girls tennis, lacrosse, cross country, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, cheerleading, football, golf, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, swimming, baseball, softball, and spring track and field. To be eligible to participate in sports, a student must pass five subjects taken for credit each semester. In addition, the student must pass five subjects each marking period, two of which must be with a grade of “C” or better. Virginia High School League regulations also apply.

The girls soccer team defeated Courtland 2–0 for the 2007 AA VHSL state title and was ranked in the top 20 in the country.

Riverbend High School was home to Billy Harris, a three time Free Lance-Star tennis player of the year. He won 4 district titles (3 AA and 1 AAA). He is widely regarded as the greatest tennis player to ever play in the Battlefield and Commonwealth district.

Marching Band

Known as the Emerald Sound Marching Band, the band's first marching season was in 2004.

The band has performed in numerous competitions over the years. In 2008, they received a superior rating at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association State Marching Festival. In 2010, the band came home the USSBA State Championship winner.
In 2016, they got a new band director and having their show be "The Future is Now". They went to James Madison University Parade of Champions and got 4th place in Class 2A. With this show, they also got First Place Drumline twice in two competitions throughout the 2016 season.
The band has performed at the James Madison University, Parade of Champions and other competitions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. They were selected to perform as a part of Magic Music Days at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Each year, the Emerald Sound Marching Band performs with the four other Spotsylvania County marching bands in the Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg Christmas parades.

List of Shows:

Clubs and Organizations

The following clubs and organizations are available for all students. Some of the organizations, notably the Honor societies, etc. require nomination and election: