Upper School FAQs
Why is RDS expanding to a K-12? Aren’t there enough quality high schools in the Bay Area to choose from? For nearly 10 years, RDS has been planning to build a high school curriculum and program based on what has been so successful in our K-8. We believe there are no high schools in the East Bay that offer the type of education we intend to provide: a dynamic and engaging curriculum that will prepare our students for college and life. We are redefining what college preparatory, rigor, and excellence mean for high school students based on the latest brain and educational research. Our program will exceed all the requirements for admission into the full range of colleges, especially the UCs.
Is the Upper School expansion detracting from the K-8 school? In fact, it is quite the opposite. The Upper School program is a natural extension of RDS, embodying all of our core educational principles, including: challenging academics with a focus on differentiated instruction, a positive approach to discipline, and diversity and inclusion principles. Our curriculum will be further integrated within and across grade levels.
Is the Head of School spending all his time on the Upper School, instead of the Lower & Middle school? Through weekly meetings and frequent communication with all three Division Directors, Mike is actively involved in all aspects of the School, however Division Directors manage most of the day-to-day operations. Mike is leading the charge of further developing RDS into a vibrant learning community. This is a very active and exciting time at RDS!
How many students will you start with? Class size? What will be the final student body of the fully-built Upper School? We will start with a class of 35-50 ninth grade students, with an average class size of 15-20. Over time our Upper School will accommodate 300-500 students, depending on campus size.
What classes will you offer? We will offer an advanced curriculum that includes math, science, English, history and humanities, as well as rigorous courses in world languages, art, music, drama, and athletic programs. In addition, there is a four-year course in Life Planning that includes: strengths assessment, diversity and inclusion training, financial responsibility and philanthropy, brain research, health education, and college counseling. See new Upper School Curriculum Guide at: www.rdschool.org/About_RDS/Upper_School/Curriculum
What sports will you have? We will initially offer volleyball, basketball, cross country, softball, baseball, soccer and golf. We are also considering a range of other sports, including football.
What about social life (dances, clubs, activities)? Club time is built into the daily schedule and students will be called upon to lead and to create a rich student life. We will also offer social activities similar to those of other independent schools in the Bay Area.
What happens to the Upper School if we are unable to purchase the Golf Links site? The RDS Board of Directors passed a resolution in January of 2008 to open the Upper School in the fall of 2009, and the RDS community is committed to achieving this goal. A team of Trustees is visiting leased facility options within 10-15 minutes of the Sheffield campus. RDS Upper School will open in the fall of 2009.
Golf Links Site Update Negotiations continue, and we are cautiously optimistic. At the same time we continue to pursue other sites--for both the short- and long-term. Something will break soon, and until then please hold positive thoughts. And again, thanks so much for your early and ongoing support. We will get there.
-Mike Riera, Head of School
-Ray Wilson, Upper School Director
